Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-14

him in conversation. with view To
pumping him. but on second thought
desisted.
Presently. the train slowing up at
station. | saw Tiny glance through
the window. give her hand a quick lit
tie shake at some one outside then
look meaningly at ME and gather her
belongings as IL to leave the train.
followed suit She came past where
was sitting and whispered: ITS all
right. They are on the platform. Come"
Whether to come or escape from
knew not what by remaining on the
train | was uncertain. Curiosity pre-
vailed. and I passed out Just behind
Tiny. On the platform were young
man and a girl. Tiny and the man
greeted each other with a loving though
somewhat excited look.
Where's Fred?" he asked.
Here" She turned toward ma
That's not Fred"
Not Fredr'
NO"
There was a tableau not describab,e
in words
why. he carried the violets." STAN
mered Tiny.
1t was time for me to say something.
and did
There has been a mistake here. I
expected to meet a young lady at the
station whom had never seen. and 1
carried some violets that proposed to
bestow upon her This young lady.
through a mistake. Of course. accosted
me. and we got on the train together.
when she threw my violets out of the
window
"Oh. heavensr' exclaimed Tiny.
The young lady and the young man
smiled
Never mind" said the young man.
"All's well that ends we'll. Permit me
to explain. sir. You have unintention-
ally got mixed in an elopement. A
friend OF mine was to have met my
nancee at the station and escort her TO
me here She has missed him. and
since you have performed his part thus
far l would be pleased to have you
finish 1t by serving as my best man.
This is Miss barton. who is to be
bridesmaid"
bowed politely to Miss barton. who,
vainly endcavoring TO repress her mer-
riment at the absurd outcome OF the
affair. returned my salute.
Come on" said the groom. I'VE
have no time to lose. have a carriage
waiting"
He hurried us Off to the carriage. he
and his fiancee engaged in too serious
a business to be affected by the ludi-
crous feature of the affair. But Miss
barton was convulscd. and | boiled
over with suppressed emotion of a sim
liar kind.
Il wonder who got my GIRL" re-
marked.
Miss barton exploded at this, and IL
drew something like smile to the lips
of the groom. The bride refused to see
anything TO laugh at
Perhaps Fred got her." remarked
Arthur
IL trust she didn't throw his violets
out of the window" remarked.
At this the bride to be gave a nerv-
Gus little laugh and said: II trust you
will pardon me. i was very much rat
tied"
Naturally. One doesn't elope every
day in the year" replied
BY this time we had driven to the
door Of pretty little church. where we
all alighted and entered. We passed
down the center aisle to the chancel,
where the couple were married. The
bride and groom went out together. I
Oh IA
we re-entered the carriage and were
driven back to the station. A train
soon took away the bride and groom.
leaving Miss barton on the platform
with me; she intending to go In the
same direction ~ |.
who is Maryf" ! asked.
81 am Mary. ! arranged this -lope-
ment." Her merriment returned at the
mere mention OF the affair.
We boarded the next train, and I
parted with her AT my station. but not
before had received permission to
continue the acquaintance begun in
such an unusual manner.
When | reached my proper destina-
I ton drove up 10 Mary Morrison's cot
/ tage. She looked at me anxiously and
asked:
where's Tiny"
Married | replied laconicAlly.
Come. don't talk that way. Tell me
why you haven't brought her.
told the story and when | had in-
ished was informed that Tiny WAS a
poodle She had been left IN the city.
and maid was 10 have met me with
her at the station.
met Miss barton later on-ot course
/ didn't leave her without taking her
address-and we enjoyed very much
talking over the episode that had &C.
casioned our acquaintance More mar
riages occur between grOomsmen and
bridesmaids than those officiating at
any other function. Miss Darton and
/ happened TO make one OF these cases.
But we didn't elOpe. and there was no
poodle TO mix up anyone else on our
wedding.