The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-09-19
All Aboardi

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
ried couple as miserable as possiUle-
and the newly married couple had
failed to do its share.
The two lieutenants glared at each
other in mutual contempt. They had
studied much at West Point about
ambushes, and how to avoid them.
Could Mallory have escaped the pit
they had digged for him? They
looked at their handiwork in disgust.
The cosy-corner effect of white rib
bons and orange flowers, gracefully
masking the concealed rice-trap, had
seemed the wittiest thing ever de
vised. Now it looked the silliest.
The other passengers were equally
downcast. Meanwhile the two lovers
in the corridor were kissing good.
byes as if they were hoping to store
up honey enough to sustain their
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 sui
fer. So he coughed discreetIy 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 q
cough was as nothing.
Finally the porter was compelled tC
reach forward and tap Mallory's arm
and stutter:
"'Scuse me, but co-could git bly,
The embrace was united, and the
lovers stared at him with dazed
! where-am-I? look. Marjorie was the
first to realize what awakened them
She felt called upon to say something
so she said, as carelessly as if she
had not just emerged from a 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 cOttoI
! from her ears, and she was wide
| stop it-stOp it,"
That's mon l can do, Missy" tn,
| porter expOstuIated.
Then I'll jump off" Marjori,
vowed, making a dash for the door.
But the porter filled the marrow
path, and waved her back.
''Vestibule's done locked up
trains going lickety-split." Feeling
that he had safely checkmated an.
rashness, the porter squeezed pas
the dumbfounded pair, and went t
change his blue blouse for the whit
| coat of his chambermaidenly duties
Mallory's first wondering thought wa
rapturous feeling that circum
stances had forced his dream into
reality. He thrilled with triumph
You've got to go with me now"
| "Yes-Fve got to CO." Marjorie as
scented meekly; then, sublimeIy, 1T
fate Kismet!"
They clutched each other again il
a fiercely blissful hug. Marjorie cam
back to earth with a bump: AR
you really sure there's a minister Of
board?"
Pretty sure" said Mallory, sober
ing trifle.
But you said you were sure?"
We'll, when you say you're sure
that means you're not quite sure"
1t was not an entirely satisfactor
justification, and Marjorie began t
quake with alarm: Suppose Their
shouldn't be-"
"Oh, then" Mallory answered care
lessly, there's bound to be one tC
morrow"
Marjorie realized at once the enol
nous abyss between then and tn
morrow, and she gasped: Tomorrow
And no chaperon! Oh, I'll jump GU
of the window"
Mallory could prevent that, bu
when she pleaded, What shall W
do?" he had no solution TO Offer
Again it was she who received tn
first inspiration.
81 have It," she beamed
Yes, Marjorie?" he assented, du
biously.
We'll pretend not to be married a
ALL"
He seized the rescuing ladder
That's It! Not married-jus
friends"
Till We can get married."
Yes, and then We can stop bein
friends"
MY love-my friend" They en-
braced in a most unfriendly manner.
An impatient yelp from the nes
lected dog basket awoke them.
"Oh, Lord, we've brought SnoozIe
ums."
"Of course We have" She took tn
dog from the prison, tucked him Ut
der her arm, and tried to cOmpOs
her bridal face into merely triendl
countenance before they entered tn
car. But she must pause for one NOR
kiss, one more of those bitter-swee
good-byes. And Mallory was nothin
loath.
Hudson and Shaw were still gluml
perplexed. when the porter returne
In his white jacket.
81 bet they missed the train; a.
this work for nothing" Hudson grun
bled. But Shaw, seeing the porter
caught a CLEAN of hope, and aske
anxiously:
Say, porter, have you seen any
thing anywhere that looks like frest
| ly married pair?"
Well" and the porter rubbed hi
ewes with the back OF his hand as b