The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-09-20

Conducting them to his pirate
study, he subjected them to a kindly
catechism. The girl said little, Whit
aker taking upon himself the brunt of
the examination. Absolutely straight
forward and intensely sincere, he came
through the ordeal well. without being
obliged to disclose what he preferred
TO keep secret The minister, salts
fled, at length called in the town clerk
by telephone; who issued the license.
pocketed his fee, and in company with
the minister's wife, acted as wit
ness
Whitaker found himself on his feet
beside Mary Ladislas. They were be-
ing married. He seemed to hear the
drOning of the loom of the Fates.
And they were man and wife. The
door had closed. the gatelatch clicked
behind them. They were walking
quietly side by side through the scent
ed night, they. whom God had joined
together. Neither found anything to
say. At the station, Whitaker bought
his wife ticket TO New York and Sc
cured for her solitary use a drawing
room in the sleeper. Whitaker pos
SeSSed himself of his wife'S handbag
long enough to furnish it with a sum
Of money and an old envelope bearing
the name and address of his law part
ner. He explained that Drummond
would issue her an adequate monthly
allowance and advise her when she
should have become her own mistress
once more; in word, q widow
She thanked him briefly, quietly.
well to resent.
Both, perhaps, were sensible of some
relief when at length the train thul.-
dered in from the East, breathing smoke
and flame. Whitaker helped his wife
aboard and interviewed the porter in
her behalf. Then they had moment
or two alone in the drawing room, iii
what was meant to be their first and
last parting.
She caught him suddenly by the
shoulders with both her hands. Her
eyes sought his with a wistful courage
he could not but admire.
you know I'm grateful :"
Don't think of it that way-thOugh
Pm glad you are"
you're a good man." she said bro
kenly.
He knew himself too well to be able
to reply.
"YOu mustn't worry about me. now.
can take care of myself, and 1
shant forget whose name / bear"
He muttered something to the effect
that he was sure of that.
She released his shoulders and stood
back, searching his face with torment
ed eyes. Abruptly she offered him her
hand.
"Good-by," she said, her lips CULVER
ing-"Good-by, good friend! y
He caught the hand, wrung 1t
clumsily and painfully and
realized that the train was in motion.
He had barely time to get away
He found himself on the station plat
form, stupidity watching the rear lights
dwindle down the tracks and wonder
ing whether or not Authorizations were
d phase of his malady. A sick man
often dreams strange dreams. =.
A voice behind him, cool with trace
Of irony, observed:
I'D give a good deal to know just
what particular brand of foolishness
you've been indulging in. this time
He whirled around to face Peter
Stark-Peter quietly amused and very
much the master of the situation.
''You needn't think" said he, that
you have any chance on earth of escap-
ing my fond attentions Hugh. I've
fixed it up with Nelly to wait until |
bring you home, well man, before
we get married; and if you refuse to
be my best MAXWELL, there won't be
any party. You can make up your
mind to that"