The Washington times., 1920-09-26

q minister at Clayton. q suburb OF
st. Louis, was summoned to the
door Of his parsonage. He saw q pretty,
welLdressed girl and two presentable
young men. A very expensive and sporty
car showed how they had arrived.
1--WE want to get married" said one Of
the youths.
'Come right in," invited the minister.
Soon the ceremony was over. The bride
had signed Mildred Courtney" to the nec-
essary record, the groom John Edward
jackson" The third Of the trio who had
acted as best man witnessed the marriage
certificate as Carl Keithley.
A little later the newly welded pair and
Mr.. Keithley we're In a luxurious little
suite in fashionable West End apart
ment hotel OF st. Louis. The bride was
shy-shyer. indeed. than most brides usu-
ally are. There were special reasons for
this. AS matter of fact, she had eloped
with young MIR. Jackson. And she was not
ithe kind who might be expected >be so
unconventional In romance. She was o.
excellent family, and not only that, but an
earnest church worker, and every Sunday
in the year taught her class in the Sunday
school. Therefore she sat down more than
trife uncertainty. Her new husband
seemed to have quite lot to say to the
nice Mr. Keithley, and suddenly he stepped
over to her, kissed her on the cheek. pat
ted Der shoulder in a matter Of fact way,
and said:
well, goodnight. honey. Carl and
have couple OF Jobs to do"
"Jobs?" asked she. somewhat dazed
"Oh, yes," blithely answered Mr.. Jack.
son, "but not dangerous" And left her.
Did ever brides wedding night begin
like this?
And as a result OF what followed that
beginning, her first day Of their honey
moon was spent in the st. Louis Jail and
her bridegroom is now beginning fifteen
year sentence in the Missouri penitentiary.
For young Mr.. Jackson was a burglar OF
extraordinary record and ability! His
best man, the police charge, was his right
hand man in his crimes! And now the
burglars disillusioned little Sunday-school
bride is suing for an annulment Of that
hasty marriage.
Just how it all came about is one OF
those stories which occasionally crop up
IN real life to shame the imagination OF
the novelist.
Little Miss Courtney was only eighteen
when she met the fascinating Mr.. jackson.
She had always been a shy sort Of a girl
and more interested in her Sunday school
work than in dances. Yet 1t was at a
dance that Mr.. Jackson was introduced to
her. There was something about him that
attracted her at once. II is an axiom Of
electromagnetic that the unlike poles at
tract, whereas the like poles repel the
lcurrents.
Perhaps, without her knowing 1t, this
was what was happening to Miss Court
ney. For certainly there could have been
no more unlike persons than very sincere
Sunday school teacher and a burglar as
devoted to his art as was Mr.. Jackson!
Whatever the mystery Of the attraction,
Il Is certain that she felt It. Soon she
found that she was thinking more of this
young man than 1t really seemed was
proper. But Mr.. Jackson was persistent
and impetuous. He was an adept at what
the debutantes call rushing them" This
translated, means that as a wooer Mr..
Jackson gave the object OF his attentions
no time to think.
II Is not SO certain that Miss Courtney's
parents looked upon the young man with
the same approval While he was pol
ished in his manners, could discourse In
telligently upon most subjects that came
up, always seemed supplied with plenty OF
ready money, had a very CLASSY" auto
mobile and lived In fashionable apartments
In a fashionable section of the city, he was
always somewhat vague as to how he ac-
auired these things. He spoke mysteri-
ously OF certain financial operations. Miss
Courtney. much in love and falling deeper
every minute, did not give such mundane
matters any thought.
And one night Mr.. Jackson let slip that
soon he was to have birthday.
what can give your" asked Mildred.
''Your heart!" replied he. And clasped
her In his arms.
Again he was impetuous. Would she
marry him at once? At once with Mr..
jackson meant right away that minute.
and after a little while Miss Courtney con-
sented. Late the next afternoon she met
him by appointment. With him In his
sporty racing car was another nice young
man, whom he introduced as his best
friend. Carl Keithley, who was going to
act as their best man. Mr.. Keithley was
most urbane and polite and charming.
Just the kind of friend that she thought
she would like her future husband to have.
They motored out 10 Clayton, as has been
fold and there were welded.