The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-11-08

Nebraska would have been a nice
long state for honeymoon, but It's
tour hundred-odd miles were a dreary
length for the couple SO near and YET
so far The railroad clnging to the
meandering Platte made the way laF
longer, and Mallory and Marjorie lel'
like Pyramus and Thisbe wandering
along an eternal wall, through Wllcn
they could see, but not reach, one
another.
They dined together as dOlefully as
if they had been married for forty
years. Then the slow twilight soaked
them in its melancholy. The porter
lighted up the car, and the angels
lighed up the stars, but nothing hight
ed up their hopes.
We've got to quarrel again, my be-
loved" Mallory grOaned to Marjorie.
Somehow they were too dreary even
to nag one another with an outburst
for the benefit of the eager-eyed pas
sengers.
A little excitement bestirred them
as they realized that they were con-
fronted with another night-robeless
night and a morrow without change OF
gear.
What pity that we left our things
in the taXicab," Marjorie sighed. And
this time she said, we left them" In
stead of you left them" 1t was very
gracious of her, but Mallory did not
acknowledge the courtesy. Instead he
gave start and a gasp:
Good Lord, Marjorie, we never
paid the second taXicab!"
Great heavens, how shall We ever
pay him? He's been waiting there
twenty-four hours How much do you
suppose We owe him."
About a year of my pay, l guess"
You must send him telegram of
apology and ask him to read his
meter. He was such nice man-the
kindest eyes-for chauffeur"
But how can | telegraph him?
don't know his name, or his number,
or his company, or anything"
It's too bad. He'll 90 through life
hating us and thinking We cheated
him."
We'll, he doesn't know our names
either"
And then they forgot him temporari-
ly for the more immediate need of
clothes. All the passengers knew that
they had left behind what baggage
they had not sent ahead, and much
sympathy had been expressed. But
most people would rather give you
their sympathy than lend you their
clothes, Mallory did not mind the
men, but Marjorie dreaded the WON
en-. She was afraid of all of them but
Mrs. Temple.
She threw herself on the little lady's
mercy and was asked to help herself.
She borrowed nightgown Of extraor-
binary simplicity, shirt waist of an
ancient mode, and number of other
things.
If there had been anyone there to
see she would have made most ana
chronistic bride.
Mallory canvassed the men and OBJ
tanned a shockingly purple shirt from
Wedgewood, who meant to put him at
his ease, but somehow failed when he
said in answer to Mallory's thanks:
God bless my soul, old top don't
you think of thanking me. | ought to
thank you. You see, the idiot who
makes my shirts, made that by mis-.
take, and I'd be no end grateful if
you'd jolly we'll take the loathsome
thing off my hands. l mean to say,
| shouldn't dream of being seen in 1t
myself. You quite understand, don't
you?"
Ashton contributed a maroon afro.
city in hosiery, with equal tact:
IF they fit you, keep EN-. got
stung on that batch of socks. That
pair was originally lavender, but they
washed like that. Keep 'em. wouldn't
be found dead in EN-"
The mysterious Fosdick, who lived
lonely life in the Observation cal
and slept in the other sleeper, lent
Mallory a pair of pyjamas evidently
intended for bridegroom of romantic
disposition. Mallory blushed as he &C
cepted them and when he found him
self in them, he whisked out the light
he was so ashamed of himself.
Once more the whole car gaped al
the unheard of behavior of its newl,
welded pair. The poor porter hat
been hungry for a bridal couple, bu
as he went about gathering up the
cast-off footwear of his large family
and found Mallory's shoes at number
three and Marjorie's tiny boots a
number five, he shook his head anf
groaned.
Times has suttainly changed foI
the wuss. If this is a bridal couple
gimme Divorces"
CHAPTER XXI.
Matrimony to and Fro.
1 A A.