The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-12-15

when you strike town don't you for
get that / made out to Miss Helm that
you was a hull Sunday school and act
accordin'. And II was you I'd lay low
about her and not have every numb
skull In Cody on to the game"
This advice was most excellent, but
Lame Mort was aware 1t had not been
followed when he reached Cody Thurs
day evening.
The prospective bridegroom, forget
ting that he was q "hull Sunday
school," had for two days lived up to
his light socially with the effect Of
adding to the weakness in his knees,
but subtracting from the faintness Of
his heart, until all Cody knew of the
prospective arrival Of a Heart and
Hand bride. Ideas as to her appear
ance, however, were confused owing
to the bridegroom's lapse Of memory.
The first evening of his arrival he
swung lightly around the circle Of sa-
looms just "lookin' up old friends"
After he had looked up a goodly num-
Der his lips unsealed on the subject Of
Olga Helm, whom he described as
sweet little blond with true blue eyes,
ivory skin and pink cheeks"
BY noon Of the following day she
was a handsome brunette with spar
king black eyes," At o'clock, when
the stage arrived at tho Irma, Goat
was sitting on the bar fiourishing an
empty glass and assuring a delighted
audience that the lady of his choice
was "a rosy brunette with white
cheeks, sparkling hair and a true blue
nose"
At this juncture the recitation was
brought to an abrupt end by the en-
trance Of Lame Mort. you're pretty
bridegroom, amt your" he stormed
wrathfully. And me writh' to SO1
that you're a sober, Industrious citizen!
Lord! You look 1t, don't you, and only
two hours till train timer
Whereupon, weighed down by a feel
ing Of responsibility to the bride, Lame
Mort took forcible possession Of the
erring groom, assuring the public that
1t would no more behold him until he
was delivered safely-and as soberly
as the limited time permitted-into the
hands Of Miss Helm. And the male
public, except the justice, who reluc-
family sat In his Office awaiting his
"job," were on the platform when the
train came to see her arrive and incl
dentally to see how Goat would "brace
up" Goat was there, standing near
the platforms edge just ahead Of Lame
Mort-ahead Of him because the latter
discerned symptoms OF flight since
Goat had been brought to a realization
Of the nearness of his fate. Only
strong staying hand prevented sud-
den development Of the symptoms as
the train slowed up and woman was
seen making her way down the aisle Of
the rear coach.
AS she neared the door every man on
the platform held his breath and craned
his neck to secure as good view as
the one lantern swinging over the sta
ton door permitted. Lame Mort tight
ened his grip on Goat preparatory to
making him projectile headed toward
the car steps the moment S01 appeared.
But when she did appear he not only
forgot his intentions. but the BRIDE
groom as well, so transfixed was he
by her appearance.
She swung down the car steps, a
straight six feet of muscle surmounted
by mans hat of black felt with a
broad, tapping brim drawn over her
face. Hanging clear Of pair Of heavy,
thick soled half calf was a scant black
skirt which seemed to impede the free
movements of her limbs.
Her shoulders were loosely incased
in a mans black coat buttoned to the
chin over high chest, the tails Of the
coat reaching the hem of her skirt. On
her head with one hand she balanced
large bundle tied up in a red check
cred tablecloth, the other hand bearing
lightly a heavy, bullying telescope,
strapped to which and extending far
beyond were hoe, pitchfork and a
shovel.
"Is there a Mr.. Wilson here?" she
asked in an uncertain voice, quite de-
void of joyful anticipation.
The station agent, reduced to speech
lessness, jerked his thumb over his
shoulder at the platform, toward which
Miss Helm courageously advanced. As
she scanned the spectators they faded
away In the darkness, and an instant
later Lame Mort realized that Goat
had also faded, and he stood alone be-
fore the deserted bride elect.
Are you Mr.. Wilson," she asked in
a distinctly forbidding tone, without
looking up.
"No, ma'am," he faltered in confu-
sion and alarm. "Goat-that Is, Mr..
Wilson was here a minute ago, but
but
"Run away, did he?" interrupted the
girl hopefully. That's exactly what 1
counted on his DOM"
Lame Mort was struck dumb by the
unlocked for relief expressed I'm her
words and in every line Of her figure
as she deposited her bundle on the edge
Of the platform, tossed her telescope
after 1t with vigorous swing, sat
down on the latter amid Jingle of the
farming implements attached thereto
and, taking Off her hat, ran her fingers