The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1922-12-07
MISS LULU BETT


when il was finished, somebody dance
on the table"
"Dwightie |"
SCOT to amuse ourselves somehow.
Come, llven up. They'll begin to read
the funeral service over u.s."
why not say the wedding servlceT
asked Nlnlan.
In the mention of wedlock there
was always something stimulating to
Dwight, something of overwhelming
humor. lie shouted derisive en-
dorsement of this proposal.
Il shouldn't object" said NInian.
"Should you, Miss Lulu?"
Lulu now burned the slow red OF
her torture. They were all looking
at her. She made an anguished effort
to defend herself
II don't know It," she said, $50 1
can't say It,"
Ninian leaned toward her.
e"I, Ninian, take thee, Lulu, to be
my welded wife," he pronounced.
THAT'S the way II goesp
Lulu daren't say IT !" 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, it was
ridiculous to think of Lulu that
way
Ninian laughed, too. Course she
don't dare say IT," he challenged.
From within Lulu, that strange
hoN ONhn I
fought her battles, suddenly spoke
out:
Il, Lulu, take thee, Ninlan, to be
my welded husband"
"You Will" Nlnlan cried.
Il WILL she 3ai1, laughing tremu-
lousy, 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
weT Nlnian laughed and pounded his
soft fist on the table.
"Oh, say, honestlyr Ina was
shocked. II don't think you ought
to-hOly things-what's 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" Mn
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 inqulring some
thing of some one, circled about and
returned. Ina had taken his chair
and sat clasping Lulu's hand. NinIan
continued to laugh.
Il never saw one done so offhand."
said Dwight. "But what you've said
Is oil you have to say according to
law. And there don't have to be wit.
nesses sayl" he said, and sat
down again.
Above that shroud-llke plated lace.
the veins of Lulus throat showed dark
as she swallowed, cleared her throat,
swallowed again.
Don't you let Dwight scare you"
she besought Ninian.
Scare mel" cried Ninian. "Why, 1
think it's good job done, II you ask
me-"
Lulu's eyes flew 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 a 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 can inquire
at our leisure. II II is necessary, I
should say we can have 1t set aside
quietly up here In the city--no one'll
be the WISER"
"Set aside nothing" said Nlnlan.
I'D like to see 1t stand"
"Are you serious. NinT
"Sure Pm serious"
Ina jerked gently at her sisters
arm.
'Lulul 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 de-" Mn
ian declared. He was on two legs Of
his chair and was slightly fitting, so
that the effect Of his earnestness was
impaired. But h. was obviously in
earnest.
They were looking at Lulu again.
And now she looked at Ninlan, and
there was something terrible In that
look which tried to ask him, alone.
about this thing.
Dwight exploded. There was fell
low l know there in the theater," he
cried. "I'll get him on the line. He
could tell me II there's any way"