The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-06-28

tEtlnn W inis ulfhAsa. AaHN tN'~A~
7 10 the latter class
felt like soldier on the battle
/ Geld. who must either run from the
Enemy or dash forward for safety. /
lid not seize a standard and cry, For
ward" But did what amounted to
the same thing advanced toward
the bride and led her 10 the parson,
who was standing al one end Of the
room with book in his hand
There was but one halt IN the wed
ding ceremony. When asked for the
ring ! had no ring ! muttered some
thing about hurrying TO join the colors
and stupid forgetfulness. The brides
mother took ring from her finger and
handed II TO me, put IL on the bride $
finger and ia few minutes was mar
riei man As soon as ] could escape
congratulations | announced that II |
did not join my regiment at once l
would be pronounced a poltroon and a
coward and, leaving my regretful
bride. | dashed out, got into the car
In which had come and, leaving an
astonished throng, turned on the pow
er and sped out of the grounds into the
street.
had not gone block before | saw
a man IN uniform and carrying suit
case hurrying in the opposite direction
Turning to the curb, shouted Hey,
there"
He looked at me and, not recognize
Ing me, was about to hurry on. lie
appeared to he about my age, my build
and looked not unlike me.
Going to be married." | asked
"Yes; I'm late Excuse me. must
get on"
Get In here" said, opening the car
door.
Thinking that was intending to aid
him In making haste, he did as babe
him. Instead Of turning and driving
back. sped on.
What are you doingT' he cried
LET me out was to have been mar
ried at noon, and it is now quarter
past"
! increased the pace.
"Who are you? And where are you
taking me-" he cried.
"Comrade!" said | in an impressive
voice.
"Comrade be hanged. Are you go
ing to kidnap me?'
Have you any bowels Of compass
sion?"
Let me out of this or lll'-
Can you bear to hear some bad
news"
Yes. Hurry up. Has anything hap
pened to Lillian?"
shes married"
Married"
yes, married; married by mistake"
Married by mistake! Are you de-
mented"
Not demented; crack Drained
idiot"
He looked at me as though he be-
lieved that / had told the truth, then
asked:
Whom has Lillian married.
Me" | groaned
For heavens sake, cease TO tanta-
lie me and tell me what all this
means"
/ struck broad country road at this
moment and, slackening my pace, told
him the story of what had happened
to me during the past two hours.
When | had finished the recital said
to him solemnly:
For Lillian's sake, for heavens sake,
do not reveal this blunder. Let Lii
liant was fortunate | had learned
her remain in ignorance that
she has married the wrong man"
suppose 1t was my intensity that
convinced him of the truth of my
story At any rate he expressed no
doubt that the girl he was to have
married had become my wife. Posses.
sion is nine points in the law. In ad-
iltion TO the shock he would bring to
Lillian by making known her mistake
and my rascally taking advantage of
It, there must be divorce He con
fessed that he had not seen her for
three years; that, being ordered to the
'Olors, he had revived an old attach
nent and had written her that since
ne must go to the war he preferred to
20 leaving behind him wife who
would care for him II he returned
MANNED and mourn for him IL killed.
"a somewhat selfish view to take OF
he matter" / suggested
yes, and wonder she accepted the
proposal. | suppose 1t was patriotism ,
III the women are losing their heads
bout the war"
eft seems to me-" I said aftor a