Meade County news., 1916-12-21
a anOw .wnat I'm doing, all right. an


right"
"a man never speaks his mind un-
til he's ginned." Lilas giggled.
"Righto! I'm not half drunk yet"
Jim urged the suitor on with nerv-
GUS laugh, at the same time avoiding |
his sisters eyes. "She's stalling, Bob.
Make her answer"
"Yes or no?" forcefully insisted the |
wooer, determined, now, to show his |
complete sobriety.
"No."
Jim seized Wharton's hand and
shook 1t Justify. Congratulations,
old man: that means yes. I'm her
brother and l know. Why, she told
father that you were her ideal, and pa
said he'd die happy II you two were
married. He meant 1t, too; he's a
mighty sick man."
Lorelel stirred uncomfortably, and
the faint color In her cheeks faded
slowly. "Well talk about 1t some
other tlme-tomorrow Please don't
tease the poor man any more. He
didn't know what he was saying, and
now, for heavens sake, talk about
something else"
Jim leaped to his feet with grin
and chuckle, then drew Lilas from
her chair, saying "The lovers are en-
barrassed, and they're dying to be
alone. Let's leave 'em to talk 1t over"
"She's a dear, Bob, and l wish you
both Joy. But don't kiss her here"
said Lllas, warningly; then, with a
wave of her hand, she turned toward
the dancing room with Jim.
"Call us when you've fixed the date"
laughed the latter. over his shoulder.
When he and Lilas had danced the
encore and returned to the table Bob
rose unsteadily, glass in hand, and
nodded at them.
"Thanks, noble comrades" he pro-
claimed; she's miner
"Hurrahp Lilas kissed Lorelel eff
fusively. Jim seized Bobs hand, cry
ing:
"Brothery' He waved to waiter
and ordered a magnum of champagne.
Bring me a wreath Of orange BIOS
SONS and a wedding cake, too" His
1ubilation attracted the attention of
the other diners; the occupants OF a
nearby table began to applaud, where
upon Bob beamed with delight.
Lorelei was very white now. She
had decided swiftly, recklessly, reason
ing that this profrered marriage was
merely bargain by which she got
more than she gave. She had accepted
without allowing her better self an
opportunity to marshal its protests,
and, having closed her eyes and leaped
into the dark, 1t now seemed easier to
meet new consequences than to heed
those higher feelings that were tardily
struggling for expression. She did
pity Wharton, however, for 1t seemed
to her that he was the injured party.
But she was In a wanton mood tonight,
and of late a voice had been despe-
rately urging her to grasp at what she
could, that she might, as long as pos
sible, delay her descent into worse con-
ditions.
She heard Lilas inquiring: when
does the marriage come OFT Right
away"
Bob, who appeared somewhat dazet
by the suddenness and the complete
ness of his good fortune, smiled va
cantly. "Any time suits me-" he said
=. "Tm happy man-little Joys are ca
pering all over the place, and old Doc
tor Gloom has packed his grip"
l. Jim startled them all by saying
" crisply: Lets make 1t tonight.
q know Bob-he's not the sort to wait
10 "Fine! Never thought of that. But
t. 1 say-where do they keep these wed
J. dings" he inquired. "Everything'i
}. closed now, and there's nobody dane
t. ing at the city hall, is thereF" He ap
@ pealed helplessly to Jim.
e Jim rose to the occasion with thu
same promptltude he had displayed
= throughout. Marriages aren't made
in heaven any more-that's old stuff
d They're made in Hoboken, while thu
n cab waits Get your things on, every
4" body, while telephone" He allowed
.s no lettering; he waved the girls away
y sent the waiter scurrying with his bill
l. helped Robert secure hat and stick
and then dived into a telephone boot
as woodchuck enters its hole. WheI
E. he had disposed his three charges In
20 side taxicab he disappeared briefly
to return with basket Of champaign,
)" upon his arm. 1t is wise genera
who provides himself in advance witt
n ammunition.
1T The smooth celerity with which thi
whole adventure ran its course argued
10 thorough preparation on James part
y but Lorelei was in no condition to an
W alyze. Even at the journeys end ther
o; was a suspicious lack Of delay. tn
d. vehicle stopped in a narrow busines
er street. now dark and dismal; its occu
le pants were hurried up a stairway ant
into room filed with law-bookf
where a sleepy justice Of the peac
re was noddlng in cloud Of cigar smoke
lie There followed a noisy shufiing o
I chairs, some mumbled questions ant
TX answers, the crackle Of papers, dea
k Of unintelllglble rigmarole, then
lie mans heavy seal-ring was slippe'