The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-15
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ueT 1ner arm, ana tried TO compose
her bridal face into merely friendly
countenance before they entered the
car. But she must pause for one more
kiss, one more OF those bitter-sweet
good-byes. And Mallory was nothing
loath
Hudson and Shaw were still glumIy
perplexed, when the porter returned
In his white jacket.
II bet they missed the train; all
this work for nothing Hudson grum-
bled. But Shaw, seeing the porter,
caught. gleam Of hope, and asked
anxiously:
Say. porter, have you seen any
thing anywhere that looks like a fresh
~ married pair?"
Well" and the porter rubbed his
eyes with the back OF his hand as he
chuckled. well. they's mighty low
in couple out theah in the corridor :
That's them-they-it!"
Instantly everything was alive and
In action. 1t was as II a bugle had
shrilled In detected camp.
Get ready Shaw commanded.
Here's rice for everybody"
Everybody take an old SHOE" said
Hudson. You can't miss in this mar
row car"
There's kazoo for everyone, too"
said Shaw, as the outstretched hands
were equipped with wedding ammuni-
ton. DO you know the Wedding
March,"
I ought to by this time" said Mrs.
Whitcomb.
Right into the tangle OF prepara-
ton, old Ira Lathrop stalked, on his
way back to his seat to get more
cigars.
Have some rice for the bridal
coupler" said Ashton, offering him or
his own double-handful.
But Lathrop brushed him aside
with romance-hater's growl.
Watch out for your head, them
cried Hudson. and Lathrop ducked
just too late to escape neck-fiIling,
hair-fllling shower. An old shoe took
him clip abaft the ear, and the old
woman-hater dropped raging into the
same berth where the spinster, Anne
Cattle, was trying to dodge the same
downpour.
Still there was enough OF the
shrapnel left to overwhelm the two
young friends" who marched into
the aisle. trying to look Indifferent
and prepared for nothing on earth
less than for a wedding chariYari.
Mallory should have done. better
than to entrust his plans to fellows
like Hudson and Shaw. whom he had
known at West Point ror diabolically
joyous hazers and practical jokers.
Even as he sputtered rice and WINGED
from the impact Of flying footgear,
he was cursing himself as a double
dyed idiot for asking such men to en-
gage his berth for him. He had a
sudden instinct that they had doubt
less bedecked his trunk and Mar
jorie's with white satin furbelows and
ludicrous labels. But he could not
shelter himself from the white. sleet
and the black thumps He could
hardly shelter Marjorie, who covered
behind him and shrieked even loud
er. than the romping tormentors.
When the assailants had exhausted
the rice and shoes, they charged down
the aisle for the privilege OF kissing
the bride. Mallory was dragged and
hunted and shunted here and there,
and he had to fight his way back to
Marjorie with might and main. He
was tugging and striking like demon.
and yelling. Stop It! stop IT.
Hudson took his punishment with
uproariois good nature, laughing:
"Oh, shut up, or we'll kiss you!s
But Shaw was scrubbing his wry
lips with seasick wall or:
Wow! think ! kissed the dog
There was, of necessity, some pause
for breath, and the combatants draped
themselves Imply about the seats.
Mallory glared at the twin Benedict
Arnolds and demanded:
Are, you two thugs going to San
Francisco with me?"
Don't worry" smiled Hudson,
we're only going as far as Kedzie
avenue, just to start the honeymoon
properly"
II either OF the clippers had been
calmer, the solution of the problem
would have been simple. Marjorie
could get off at this suburban station
and drive home from there. But their
wits were like pied type. and they
were further 1umbled, when Shaw
broke in with q sudden: Come, see
the little dove-cote we fixed for you"
Before they knew 1t, they were both
hailed along the aisle to the white
satin atrocity. Love in a bungalow
said Hudson. .'Sit down--make your
selves perfectly at home
''No-neveroh. oh, obi cried Mar
1orie. darting away and throwing
herself into the first empty seat-lra
Lathrop's BERTH Mallory followed to
console her with caresses and MUIR
murs OF. There's there. don't cry.
dearie!"
Hudson and Shaw followed close
with mawkish mockery: Don't cry.
dearie."
And now Mrs. Temple interviewed.
She had enjoyed the initiation cere-