The Prescott daily news., 1912-04-12

| WOman-natef 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 l the aisle, trying to look indifferent and prepared for nothing on earth l less than for a wedding charivari.
 Mallory should have done better than to entrust his plans to fellows like Hudson and Shaw, whom he had | known at West Point Tor diabolically 1 joyous hazers and practical jokers. 1 Even as he sputtered rice and winced from the impact of flying footgear, 1 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 | jorie's with white satin furbelows and ludiCrous labels. But he could not l shelter himself from the white sleet and the black thumps He could hardly shelter Marjorie, who covered behind him and shrieked even loud CT than the romping tormentors. ! When the assailants had exhausted 1 the rice and shoes, they charged down { the aisle for the privilege of kissing ] the bride. Mallory was dragged and 1 bunted 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 a demon, and yelling, Stop it! stop it." | Hudson took his punishment with uproarious good nature, laughing:
 "Oh. shut up, or we'll kiss you."
 But Shaw was scrubbing his wry 1 lips with a seasick vail of:
 Wow, 1 think l kissed the dog"
 There was, of necessity, some pause i 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"
 1 If either of the elopers 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 jumbled, when Shaw ! hTnl<n In with q CiIdIpr. "ENy,1a the little dove-cote We fixed for you"
 Before they knew It. they were both haled along the aisle to the white satin atrocity. Love in a bungalow" said Hudson. Sit down-make your selves perfectly at home"
 ''No-never-oh, oh, oh," cried Mar jorie, darting away and throwing Lathrop's berth. Mallory followed to console her with caresses and mur- murs of, There's there, don't cry, deariei"
 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 hastened to Marjorie's side. brushing the men away like gnats.
 You poor thing" she comforted. Come, my child, lean on me. and have a good cry"
 Hudson grinned, and put out his own arms: She can lean on me, if she'd rather"
 Mrs. Temple glanced up with indig nant rebuke: Her mother is far away, and she wants 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-baiting, Mall lory rose and confronted the two imps with clenched fists: You're & pretty pair of friends, you are!" The imperturable Shaw put out a pair of tickets as his only defense Here are your tickets, old boy"
 And Hudson roared 1oyially: We tried to get you a stateroom. but 1t was gone"
 And here are your baggage checks" 1 laughed Shaw. forcing into his fists a few pasteboards. We got your trunks on the train ahead, all right. Don't mention it-you're entirely welcome"