The Washington times., 1913-09-20
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE FLYING COURTSHIP E. gKxA KArH
TmesG New in andB
n Oh Franz -
Laid in Washington and Baltimore

her free hand and drew the younger
woman toward me.
Mrs. Pratt"
b Once more 1 went through the expert
ence of being felicitated upon the pos
session of a lovely wife
Mother. and have been so anxious
to see your exclaimed the woman
called Mrs. Pratt. I'VE didn't even
can imagine how surprised We were
when We received announcement cards"
''Yes?" said, smiling.
Yes. indeed L never believed Mary
could be SO sly and mysterious"
did. knew It: but did not say SO
We knew that Mary was in the West.
and thar you were also there" she rat
tied Oh; 'but we hadn't the least idea
it would be so soon. Why, It seems al
most like an elopement!
I laughed. Had we, dear7'
1 deliberately turned to Mary, as I
said dear" and looked at her chal-
lengingiy. was entitled. at least TO
some revenge. Her Her. cheeks ne, -. co1ored Sand
tren bling. Then she slipped her arm
within mine smiled sweetly at me, and
met my challenge with one Of her own.
TT wasn't an elopement Of course"
she said to Mrs. McCutcheon. But
Robert IL just large, foolish boy. with
a streak Of romance and a horror Of
formaiities. 30 humored him"
She threw her head to one side with
a pretty gesture as she said this and
looked up at me-fhe little hend! Her
eyes were shining with mischief. Two
minutes before she was q picture. Of
/ seen such a Transformation.
$50 you are enjoying it. my lady"
thought Perhaps two can play at IT,"
But please tell US all about IT," cried
Mrs. Pratt, impatiently. ''What sort Of
q wedding was it7'' {
I felt Mary clutching at my sleeve,
but refused to look at her.
Now. Robert. please"
I interrupted her remorselessly.
I'VE were married in the pilot house
of a steamboat" said. with a cheer
f"! aoR!" Sl!n at Mrs M'cuf'hson'
The exclamation was from Mary. She
completely forgot to say Robert 1
looked at her triumphantly. The two
women stared at me incredulously, then
at Mary.
had recovered speech.
1 nodded and laughed.
Mary; dear; you may as well tell
Now I was gloating; 1 would teach
this Mary to play joke. But she re-
covered herself amazingly. and fairly
put me to shame with what followed.
With blushing reluctance. laughter. and
wealth of nimble invention, she told
the prettiest and most entertaining
story imaginable. concerning a runaway
couple seeking to escape the tortures OF
a church wedding. fleeing aboard
Western river steamer. being pursued
by a party Of merry conspirators and a
minister. and cornered willy-nilly in the
pilot house and married out Of hand, be-
fore they had chance to protest.
I marveled at the tale. in fact. so
glib was it. SO replete with details
yes. even with names-that l began to
wonder If Mary really had been married
to somebody under such extraordinary
circumstances.
When she had concluded II she shot
a glance of victory and warning at me
that went home.
How perfectly wonderful" This was
from the daughter.
Mary A single word was all that
Mrs. McCutchecn could say.
And then I heard a gentle whisper,
close to my ear:
That's for Balboa"
I understood. The AFFAIR Of the IL
brary was avenged. ! began to think
my lady's wit vas dangerous to tempt
We talked with her friends for a
while. promising to call and meet some
other members of the family, until
Mary began to drag me firmly away.
II suppose you'll be taking her back
to England very SOON" said the elder
woman, ruefully. as she shook hands
again.
1t appeared that I was from abroad.
Quite soon. I'm afraid" l answered.
When they had disappeared in the d.
rection Of the Blue Room I turned
and looked at Mary. She met my look
very timidly and began playing nerv-
ously with her fan. ! noticed that 1t
was broken. All the ease and animation
had suddenly gone out of her. Her
cheeks were pale again, her eyes very
serious and troubled.
II think well go outside and have a
talk" 7 said. taking her by the arm
She shrank from me as if I were go
ing to strike her.
NO, No. she pleaded.
! could feel her trembling in my grasp.
But my dear lady" i said, this mat
ter
Not now. Wait! Oh, please wait" ~
You'll admit that I'm entitled to an
explanation. won't you?"
She bit her lip and seemed to be upon
the brink Of tears.
rYes-but wait II can't explain