The St. Johns herald., 1922-12-21
MISS LULU BETT

@@S WI AOA 0A AOuAs
 "Well, now" raid Dwight Herbert when 1t was finished, somebody dance on the table,"
 'Dwightiel"
 "GOt to amuse ourselves somehow. Come, liven up. They'll begin to read the funeral service over us"
 ''Why not say the wedding serviceT asked Ninian.
 In the mention of wedlock there was always something stimulating to Dwight, something of overwhelming humOr. He shouted a derisive en- dOrsement of this proposal.
 T 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.
 q don't know it," she said, "sO I can't say it."
 Ninian leaned toward her.
 q, Ninian, take thee, Lulu, to be my welded wife," he pronounced. ''That's the way 1t goesp
 Lulu daren't say it l" 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 Lulu, that other Lulu who sometimes fought her battles, suddenly spoke out:
 T, Lulu, take thee, Nin1an, to be my welded husband"
 "YOu will?" Ninian cried.
 'I will," shes5aid, laughing tremu- lously, to prove that she, too, could join in, could be as merry as the rest.
 And l will. There, by love, now have we entertained you, or haven't weT Ninian laughed and pounded his soft fist on the table.
 "Oh, say, honestlyT" Ina was shocked. q don't think you ought tO-hOly things-what's the matter, DwightieT"
 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" Nin- fan dismissed 1t.
 'But l." said Dwight, "happen to be a magistrate"
 They looked at one another fool. ishly. Dwight sprang up with the in- determinate idea of inquiring some thing of some one, circIed 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 all you have to say according to law. And there don't have to be wit nesses SayI' he said, and sat down again. , Above that shroud-like plaited 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 mep cried Ninian. 'Why, think it's a good job done, if 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 lines very fast. Their points of light fiickered.- With pang- of wonder which pierced her and left her shaken, Lulu looked. His eyes continued to meet her own. It was exactly like looking at his photograph.
 Dwight had recovered his authentic air.
 "Oh, we'll" he said, five can inquire at our leisure. If 1t Is necessary, should say we can have it set aside quietly up here in the city-no one1l be the wiser"
 "Set aside nothingl" said Ninian. 'Td like to see 1t stand"
 Are you serious, NinT
 "Sure I'm serious"
 Ina jerked gently at her sisters arm.
 'Lului You hear him? What you going to say to that2"
 Lulu shook her head. "He isn't in earnest" she said.
 q am in earnest-hope to die," Min ian declared. He was on two legs of his chair and was slightly tilting, so that the effect of his earnestness was impaired. But ha was obviously in earnest.
 They were looking at Lulu again. And now she looked at NinIan. and