Middletown transcript., 1915-10-16
CHAPTER xIV-contInued.

OtNeNg En- NlN-SOHbhN0GQs
--1e-
Flodie laid an affectionate hand on
poor Alfred's shoulder. 1T simply
means that Alfred's true blue" she re-
piled soberly. "He has the loyalty of
a dog. II was awful of me to do 1t,
though. / don't know what you'll
think Of me, Hall. But you haven't
told him, yet, Alfred. Go on! And do
hurry. pleased"
well, she asked me to go down to
the city hall with her. for to get mar
riage license. This afternoon, 1t was,
and you know what l thought. Well,
we went up to the desk and we got
application-a printed paper 1t was
tellin' all about what we was and how
old, like, and we sat down to a table
and Miss Fisher, here, she took pen
and ink"
Hurry, Alfred, hurry!" cried Flodie
impatiently.
well she went to work and wrote
-yesses' and noes on the lines. And
then she signed her name, Miss Fisher
did, and she handed me the PEN" Sud-
denly Alfred turned his head, and
busted himself for a moment with his
handkerchief. He returned to his mar
rative almost choking. Il was just
a-goin' to sign Alfred ]. Smallish;
that's my name and what always sign
it, when she says to me, Miss Fisher
did, You write down this here name
what l tell you: Hall Cutler Boni-
stelle' she says. You asked me to ask
you to do something hard for me, for
to prove your love for mel she says,
and indeed did, Mr.. Bonistelle-and
so signed the paper, and we had it
swore to-"
well, give me the paper. Alfred!
Do hurry!" Flodie cried anxiously.
Alfred drew from his pocket the
document, and handed it over to Hall.
Flodie bent over it. you see, AL
fred had to pretend he was you, that's
all. He's the same color, you know
Hall looked up at Alfred, and smiled
We'll, l mean he's white" Flodie
explained anxiously.
"Yes, he certainly is rather white,
Hall remarked and turned again to
look at the document.
"Of course we did have to lie little
that is, Alfred did-about your father
and mother, you know. didn't know
what their names were, so we had tC
call them John and Mary-you DOM
mind, do you?"
Not at ALL"
And you haven't any former wives
have you, living or dead?"
mot one!" Hall was emphatic.
"Then it's a perfectly good license
and it fits you and there's your name
and everything, and mine, too. Yol
don't mind do you, Hall, dear?" Flodit
began to blush violently, and was yer!
confused. You see, kind of though
you were going to ask me, sort of fel
1t coming, and / knew you'd be to-
stupid to get one yourself!"
"Flodie-Fisher-B he e1
claimed, and threw up his hands, 'yol
certainly are a business woman!
don't see what chance I'll have afte
we're married! But I'm perfectly wi
ling to let you manage me, Flo.
certainly have botched things wher
ever I've tried to run them myself"
He turned to Alfred, who stood
looking at his shoes. And you con
mitted perjury, Alfred, just for m
sake?"
Alfred drew himself up proud!
MOT at all. Mr.. Bonistelle. 1t was fo
Miss Fisher done it!"
"Then you did 1t for me. By jovt
Alfred, let me shake your hand.
L. e.. III
that, and he can't be rewarded; but
there's anything can do for you, yo
name it,"
There's only the one thing l war
now, Mr.. Bonistelle. Would you leav
me be your best man at the weddin
There was once when | hoped | coul
be bridegroom myself, Mr.. Bonistell
but see now that was foolish. But
would be a satisfaction to see the lai
of Miss Fisher, If you don't mind"
Hall, laughing, slapped him on IL
hack. Sure, Alfred! You can be ii
chief mourner, Alfred-that is, If tn
license is all right. Let's call in M
Doremus; he'll tell u.s." He startt
for the door, but Flodie had alreaC
beckoned to the attorney, who no
came in with her.
well, we're going to have a Ger
mony, after ALT" said Hall. I'm goi1
to take you at your word and let "
marv me-"
Flodie interrupted his reply. "Wh
is the shortest possible way you CO
do it, and have it legal, Mr.. Doremus
she asked. nudging him anxiously.
"Oh. I'll fix that" said the iawye
1T won't take two minutes"
whats goln' on?" came a har
voice at the door. Jonas Hassingbu
was looking in.
Come in, Jonas, come in and
among those present It's my mer
marriage morn!" cried Hall gayly.
Flodie whispered to Alfred. "Ru
Alfred. bring everybody in, quick!"
Alfred disappeared into the Off
and could be heard announcing the
vitatlon.
Jonas. however, had begun to brist
He strude up to his cousin belligerel
ly. why, 1t amt no use to git mi
ried now, Hall. you know that! Dol
be fnolishr
crusoe In SO Languages.
Every nation has found delight