Okolona messenger., 1912-08-01

ment, and the vain effort to foresee
her next blow But you can't name
a woman that way he pleaded, for
Just being nice to me before l ever
met you"
That's the worst kind Of unfaith-
fulness," she rciterate- You should
lave known that some day you would
meet me. You should have saved
your first love for me-"
But last love is best" Mallory in
terposed, weakly.
"Oh, no, it isn't, and if it is, how DO
know I'm to be your last love? No,
sir, when I've divorced you, you can
go back to your first love and go
round the world with her till you get
dizzy"
But | don't want her for wife"
Mallory urged, Il want you"
You'll get me-but not for long.
And one other thing, l want you to
get that bracelet away from that
creature. DO you promise?"
How can l get it away"
Take it away! Do you promise?"
Mallory surrendered completely.
Anything to get Marjorie safely into
his arms: Il promise anything, il
you'll really marry me-"
"Oh, I'll marry you, sir, but not
really"
And while he stared in helpless awe
at the cynic and termagant that
jealousy had metamorphosed this tim
i'd, clinging creature into, they heard
the conductors voice at the rear door
of the car: Hurry up-weve got to
start"
They heard Lathrops protest:
Hold on there, conductor" and Sci
by's plea: "Oh, say, my good man,
wait a moment, can't you?"
The conductor answered with the
grufness of despot: Not a minute.
I've my orders to make up lest time,
All aboard!"
While the minister was tying the
last loose ends OF the matrimonial
knot, Mallory and Marjorie were
struggling through the crowd to get
at him. Just as they We're near they
were swept aside by the rush of the
bride and groom, for the parsons Il
pronounce you man and wife" pro-
nounced as he backed toward the
door, was the signal for another we'd
ding riot,
Once more Ira and Anne We're show
cred with rice. This time it was their
own. Ira darted out into the corridor,
haling his brand-new wife by the
wrist, and the wedding guests pur.
sued them across the vestibule.
through the next car, and on, and on.
Nobody remained to notice what
happened to the parson, Having per-
formed his function, he was without
further interest or use. But to Nal
lory and Marjorie he was vitaIly
necessary
Mallory caught his hand as it turned
the knob of he door and drew him
back. Marioll5, equally determined,
caught his other elbow:
please don't CO. Mallory urged,
until you've married us"
The Reverend Charles stared at his
captors in amazement
But my dear man, the trains NOV.
ing"
Marjorie clung all the tighter and
invited him to Come on to the next
stop"
But my dear lady" selby gasped,
its impossible"
You've just got to-" Mallory in.
sisted.
Release me, please"
Never"
"How dare you!" the parson
shrieked, and with a sudden wriggle
writhed out of his coat, leaving it in
Marjories hands. lie darted to the
door and flung it open, with Mallory
hot after him.
The train was kicking up a cloud
Of dust and getting its stride. The
kidnapped clergyman paused mo-
ment, aghast at the speed with which
the ground was being paid out Then
he climbed the brass rail and, with
a hasty prayer, dropped overheard.
Mallory lunged at him. and seized
him by his reversed collar. But the
collar alone remained in his clutch.
The parson was almost lost in the
dust ne created as he struck, bounded
ana rolled till ne came to a stop. with
his stars and his prayers to thank for
injuries to nothing worse than his
dignity and other small clothes.
Mallory returned to the observation
room and flung the collar and bib to
the floor in fury of despair, howling:
He got away! He got away!"
to be continued