The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-04-12
CHAPTER TX.

che ironical decorators In the last
stages Of their work. Their smiles
died out In q sudden shame. as II
came over them that the joke had re.
coiled on their own heads. They had
done their best to carry out the time.
honored rite of making a newly mar
r1ed couple as miserable as possible
and tho newly married couple had
failed to do its share.
The two neutenants glared at each
other In mutual contempt. They had
studied much at West Point about
ambushes. and how to avoid them.
Gould Mallory have escaped the pit
they had digged for him? They
looked at their handiwork in disgust.
The cosy-corner effec, of white rib
bons and orange flowers, gracefully
masking the concealed rice-trap, had
seemed the wittiest thing ever de-
vised. Now 1t looked the silliest.
The other passengers We're equally
downcast. Meanwhile the two lovers
In the corridor were kissing good
byes as If they were hoping to store
hearts for three years fast. And
the porter was studying them with
perplexity.
He was used, however, to waking
people out Of dreamland, and he be-
gan to fear that If he were discovered
spying on the lovers, he might suf-
fer. So he coughed discreetly three
or four times.
Since the increasing racket OF the
train made no effect on the two hearts
beating as one, the small matter of
cough was as nothing.
FINALLY the porter was compelled to
reach forward and tap Mallory's arm,
and stutter:
"Scuse me, but co-could git b-by?"
~ The embrace was united, and the
lovers stared at him with a dazed.
where-am-I? look. Marjorie was the
FIRST to realize what awakened them.
She felt called upon to say something,
80 she said, as carelessly as If she
had not just emerged from young
gentleman's arms:
"Oh, porter, how long before the
train starts?"
- TRAINS done started, Missy"
This simple statement struck the
wool from her eyes and the cotton
from her ears, and she was wide
enough awake when she cried: "Oh,
stop it-stop IT."
That's mon I can do, Missy" the
porter expostulated.
Then I'll jump off," Marjorie
vowed. making a dash for the door.
But the porter filed the narrow
path, and waved her back.
Vestibule's done locked up
trains going lickety-split." Feeling
that he had safely checkmated any
the porter squeezed past
the dumbfounded pair, and went to
change his blue blouse for the white
coat of his chambermaidenly duties.
Mallory's first wondering thought was
a rapturous feeling that circum.
stances had forced his dream into |
reality. He thrilled with triumph:
got to go with me now"
Yes-Ive got TO CO." Marjorie az
scented meekly; then, sublimely, Its
fate. Kismet!'
They clutched each other again In
a Hereby blissful hug. Marjorie came
back to earth with a bump: Are
you really sure there's a minister on
board?"
Pretty sure" said Mallory, sober.
ing a triile.
But you said you were sure?"
well, when you say you're sure.
tnat means you're not quite sure"
1t was not an entirely satisfactory
and Marjorie began TO
quake with alarm: Suppose there
be?'
"Oh, then" Mallory answered care.
iessly, there's bound to be one to
Marjorie realized Mt once the enor.
nous abyss between then and the
and she gasped: Tomorrow!
And no chaperon! Oh, I'll Jump out
Of the window"
Mallory could prevent that, but
when she pleaded, "What shall we
1o?" he had no solution to orrer.
Again it was she who received the
irst Inspiration.
II have It," she beamed.
"Yes, Marjorie?" he assented, du.
We'll pretend not to be married at
ILL.,"
He seized the rescuing ladder:
That's It! Not married-just
It'll we can get married."
Yes, and then we can stop being
my love-my friend!" They en-.
raced in a most unfriendly manner.
An impatient yelp from the neg.
ected dog-basket awoke them.
"Oh, Lord, we've brought Snoozle
ms"
"Of course we have" She took the
og from the prison, tucked him un.
er her arm, and tried TO compose
er bridal face into merely friendly
ountenance before they entered the
.s.saAann