The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-03

woman-hater dropped raging into the
same berth where the spinster. Anne
Cattle. was trying to dodge the same
downpour.
Still there Vas 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 tnau for wedding charivarl.
Mallory should have done better
than to entrust his plans to fellows
like Hudson and Shaw, whom he had
known at West Point for diabolicaliy
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
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 tight 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
uproarious good nature. laughing:
"Oh. shut up. or we'll kiss you'll"
But Shaw was scrubbiug his wry
lips with q seasick wall Of:
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 elopers had been
calmer. the solution of the problem
would have been simple. Marjorie
could get Oh at this suburban station
and drive home from there. But their
wits were like pied type, and they
were further jumbied. when Shaw
broke in with sudden: Come, see
the little dovecote We fixed for you" !"
Before they knew It. they were both
hailed along the aisle to the white
satin atrocity. Love In q bungalow"
said Hudson. "Sit dowR-make your
selves perfectly at home"
. "No-never-oh. oh. OH" cried Mar.
jorie. 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,
deasie!'
Hudson and Shaw followed close
with mawkish mockery: Don't cry.
dearie."
And now Mrs. Temple intervened.
She had enjoyed the initiation cere-
mony as well as anyone. But when
the little bride began to cry, she re-
membered the pitiful terror and shy
shame she had undergone as a girl
wife. and she FASTENED to Mar1orie's
side, brushing the men away like
gnats.
You poor thing" she comforted.
Come. my child. lean on me. and
nave q good cry
Hudson grinned, and put out his
own arms: "She can lean on me, II
she'd rather"
Mrs. Temple glanced up with indig.
nant rebuke: "Her mother is far
away. and she wants a mothers breast
to weep on. Here's mine. my dear"
The impudent Shaw tapped his own
military chest: "She can use mine"
Infuriated at this bride batting, Nal.
lory rose and confronted the two
imps with clenched fists: You're a
pretty pair Of friends, you are!"
The imperturable Shaw put out a
pair OF tickets as his only defense:
Here ire your tickets. old boy"
And Hudson roared jovially: I'VE
tried to get you q stateroom, but It
was gone"
And here are your baggage checks, {"
laughed Shaw. forcing into his fists q
few pasteboards. I'VE got your trunks
on the train ahead. all right. Don't
mention it-you're entirely welcome" !"
1t was the porter that brought the
first relief from the ordeal.
IF you gemmen Is gettin' OF at
Kedzie avenue. you'd better step
smart We'ro slowin' up now"
Marjorie as sobbing too audibly
to hear. and Mallory swearing too in
audibly to heed the opportunity Ked.
zie evenua offered. And Hudson was