The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-15
CHAPTER xlv-continued.
OQ0EzrN1,HT ~ CXZEZY Aln2GE,SS


a dog. It was awful of me to do it,
though. don't know what you'll
think of me, Hail. But you haven't
told him, yet, Alfred. Go on! And do
hurry, pleased"
We'll, she asked me to go down to
the city hall with her, for to get mar
riage license This afternoon, it was,
and you know what thought. Well,
we went up to the desk and we got a
application printed paper it 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.
We'll 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 moment with his
handkerchief He returned to his mar
rative almost choking. II was just
a-goin' to sign Alfred J. 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 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
well, mean he's white," Flodie
explained anxiously.
Eyes, 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 to
call them John and Mary-you don't
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 perfectly good license,
and it fits you and there's your name
and everything, and mine, too. You
don't mind, do you. Hall, dear?" Flodie
began to blush violently, and was very
confused. "You see, / kind Of thought
you were going to ask me, sort of felt
1t coming, and knew you'd be too
stupid to get one YOURSELF"
Enthusiastically he ex-
claimed, and threw up his hands, "you
certainly are business woman! l
don't see what chance I'll have after
we're married! But I'm perfectly will
ling to let you manage me, Flo. /
certainly have botched things when
ever I've tried to run them myself"
He turned to Alfred, who stood,
looking at his shoes. "And you com
mitted perjury, Alfred, just for my
sake?"
Alfred drew himself up proudly.
Not at all, Mr.. Bonistelle It was for
Miss Fisher done it,"
sThen you did it for me- BY jove.
Alfred, let me shake your hand. A
man can't be thanked for service like
that, and he can't be rewarded; but if
there's anything can do for you, you
name It'll"
There's only the one thing / want
now, Mr. Bonistelle. Would you leave
me be your best man at the weddin' :?
There was once when hoped could
be bridegroom myself, Mr.. Bonistelle,
but see now that was foolish. But it
would be satisfaction to see the last
of Miss Fisher, If you don't mind"
Hall, laughing, slapped him on the
back. Sure. Alfred! You can be the
chief mourner, Alfred-that is, if this
license is all right. Let's call in Mr..
Doremus; he'll tell us" He started
for the door, but Flodie had already
beckoned to the attorney, who now
came in with her.
well, we're going to have a cere-
mouy, after ALI" said Hall. "I'm going
to take you at your word and let you
marry me-"
Flodie interrupted his reply. What
is the shortest possible way you can
do it, and have it legal, Mr.. Doremus ?"
she asked, nudging him anxiously.
"Oh, I'll fix that" said the lawyer.
1T won't take two minutes"
What's goin' on?" came a harsh
voice at the door. Jonas Hassingbury
was looking in.
Come in, Jonas, come in and be
among those present It's my merry
marriage mornl" cried Hall gayly.
Flodie whispered to Alfred. Run,
Alfred. bring everybody in, quick!"
Alfred disappeared into the office
and could be heard announcing the in
vitation.
Jonas. however, had begun to bristIeY