The Delta independent., 1912-08-16
oopyY1ght, isai, hy Il. Z. ny o.


with surprising cynicism. where do
you get the parson?"
Hang the parson," Wedgewood re-
peated, "Whe's the gel?"
"I'il bet know who she is" Ash
ton interposed; Its that nectarine OF
q damsel who got on at Green River"
Not the same!" Lathrop roared.
81 found my bride blooming here all
the while. Girl used to spark back
in Brattleboro, VT. I've been vowing
for years that I'd live and die an old
maid. I've kept my head out of the
moose all this time-till l. struck this
train and met up with Anne. We got
to talking over old times-waking up
old sentiments. She got on my nerves.
got on hers. Finally said. 'Aw.
hell, let's get married. Save price OF
one stateroom to China anyway She
to that effect"
Mallory broke in with feverish in
terest: But you said you were going
to get married on this train
Nothing easier. Here's howl" and
he raised his glass. but Mallory hauled
It down to demand: How? that's
what want to know. How are you
going to get married on this parson-
less express. Have you got a little
minister in your suitcase?"
Ira beamed with added pride as he
explained:
We'll, you see, when / used to
court Anne had rival-Charlie Sell
by his name was. / thought he cut
h,,t h. Ill
in Utah-Oh, Charliei l telegraphed
him that I was passing through Og-
den, and would he come down to the
train and marry me to charming
lady. He always wanted to marry
Anne. 1 thought 1t would be burned
good joke to let him marry her-to
me-"
"D-did he accept?" Mallory asked.
excitedly, 'is he coming?"
HE is-he did-here's his tele-
gram" said Ira. He brings the IL
cense and the ring" He passed it
over, and as Mallory read it a look
Ira was saying: Were going to have
the wedding obsequies right here in
this car. You're all invited. VIII you
Gomez"
There was general yell OF accept.
ance and Ashton began to sing,
There Was Waiting at the Church -
Then he led a sort of Indian war
dance round the next victim OF the
matrimonial stake. At the end of the
hullaballoo all the men charged their
glasses, and drained them with an up
roarious How"
Poor DR.. Temple had taken luxuri-
Gus delight in the success of his dis
guise and in the prospect Of watch
ing some other clergyman working
while he rested. He Joined the dance
as gaily. II not as gracefully, as any
Of the rest, and in final triumph OF
recklessness, he tossed on bumper
of straight whisky
Instantly his Howl" changed to
wow" and then his throat clamped
fast with a terrific spasm that flung
the tears from his eyes. He bent and
writhed in silent paroxysm till he
was pounded and shaken back to life
and water poured down his throat to
reopen a passage.
The others thought he had merely
choked and made no comment other
than sympathy. They could not have
dreamed that the old physician" was
as ignorant OF the taste as OF the
vigor OF pure spirits.
After riot OF Handwriting and
good wishes, Ira was permitted to es-
cape with his life. Mallory followed
him to the vestibule, when he caught
him by the sleeve with an anxious:
Excuse me-"
well, my boy"
Your minister-after you get
through with him-may I use him ?''
May you-what? Why do you
want a Minister
ITO get married"
"Again? Good Lord. are you Nor
mon?"
me Mormon!"
Then what do you want with an
extra wife? It's against the law
even in Utah"
You don't understand"
my boy, one of US is disgracefully
drunk"
We'll. I'm not" said Mallory, and
then after fierce inner debate, he
decided to take Lathrop into his con.
fidence. The words came hard after
SO long a duplicity, but at last they
were out:
Mr.. Lathrop. I'm not really mar
ried to my wife,"
You young scoundrell"
But his fury changed to pity when
he heard the history OF Maliory's i'll
fated efforts. and he promised moi
only to lend Mallory his minister a,
secondhand, but also to keep the
whole affair a secret, for Mallory ex
planned his intention OF having hit
own ceremony in the baggage-car, OF
.ovro-hara out ~ ofUht NJ tha oth =,