The Holly chieftain., 1922-10-12

A'S ehAAp "Rh ehO 1AVWA
of an epicure. "A tiny wee bit more
Athabasca." he added. and they all
laughed and told him that Athabasca
was lake. of course. OF course he
meant tabasco, Ina said. Their en-
tertainment and their talk was of
this sort, for an hour.
"Well. now" said Dwight Herbert
when 1t was finished, somebody dance
on the table"
"Dwightie
Got TO amuse ourselves somehow.
Come, liven up. They'll begin to read
the funeral service over u.s."
why not say the wedding service?"
asked Ninian.
In the mention of wedlock there
was always something stimulating to
Dwight, something of overwhelming
humor He shouted derisive en-
dorsement of this proposal
Il shouldn't object" said Ninian.
Should you. Miss LuIuf"
Lulu now burned the slow red of
her torture. They We're all looking
| at her She made an anguished effort
to defend herself
II don't know It," she said, 80
can't say It,"
Ninian leaned toward her.
Il. Ninian. take thee, Lulu. to be
my welded wife," he pronounced.
That's the way 1t goes!"
Lulu daren't say I'll" cried Dwight.
He laughed so loudly that those at
the near tables turned. And, from
the fastness of her wifehood and moth
erhood Ina laughed. Really, 1t was
| ridiculous to think of Lulu that
way
Nihian laughed, too. Course she
don't dare say It," he challenged.
| From within Lulu, that strange
Lulu. that other Lulu who sometimes
fought her battles, suddenly spoke
out:
II, Lulu. take thee. Ninian, to be
my welded husband"
"You WIFI" Ninian cried
II WILL" she said. laughing tremu-
lously, to prove that she, too, could
join in. could be as merry as the rest
"And will. There, by Jove, now
have we entertained you, or haven't
wei" Ninian laughed and pounded his
soft fist on the table.
"Oh. say, honestly" Ina was
shocked. II don't think you ought
to-holy things-whats the matter,
Dwightie?"
Dwight Herbert DeacOn's eyes were
staring and his face was scarlet.
Say, by George" he said. "a civil
wedding is binding in this state"
"A civil wedding? Oh, we'll" Min.
Ian dismissed 1t.
"But l." said Dwight, ''happen to
be magistrate"
They looked at one another fool.
ishly. Dwight sprang up with the in-
determinate idea of inquiring somA.
thing OF some one, circled about and
returned. Ina had taken his chair
and sat clasping Lulu's hand. Ninian
continued to laugh.
II never saw one done SO offhand,"
said Dwight. But what you've said
Is all you have to say according to
law. And there don't have to be wit.
nesses say!" he said. and sat
down again.
Above that shroud-like plated lace,
the veins Of Lulu's throat showed dark
as she swallowed, cleared her throat,
swallowed again.
Don't you let Dwight scare you,"
she besought Ninian.
"Scare mel" cried Nfnian. "Why, /
think It's n good job done, II you ask
me-"
Lulu's eyes few to his face As he
laughed, he was looking at her, and
now he nodded and shut and opened
his eyes several times very fast. Their
points Of light fickered. With pang
of wonder which pierced her and left
her shaken, Lulu looked. His eyes
continued to meet her own. 1t was
exactly like looking at his photograph.
Dwight had recovered his authentic
air.
"Oh, WELL" he said. 1--WE cun inquire
at our leisure. II 1t Is necessary,
should say we can have II set aside
quietly up here in the city-no onell
be the wiser"
"Set aside nothing'' said Ninlan
''Id like to see 1t stand.'
Are you serious, Nin?"
"Sure I'm serious"
| Ina jerked gently at her sisters
arm.
Lulu! You hear him? What you
going to say to that?'
\ Lulu shook her head "He isn't in
earnest" she said.
II am in earnest-hope to die Min
ian declared. He was on two legs Of
his chair and was slightly fitting, 80
that the effect of his earnestness was
impaired. But he was obviously in
| earnest
They were looking Mt Lulu again.
And now she looked at NinIan. and
there was something terrible In that
look which tried to ask him, alone,
about this thing.
Dwight exploded. "There was n fel-
low know there in the theater," he
| cried. "I'll get him on the line. He