The Neshoba Democrat., 1922-11-09

On the taDle.
"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 serviceY"
asked Ninian.
la the mention OF wedlock there
was always something stimulating to
Dwight, something of overwhelming
humor. He shouted derisive en-
dorsement of this proposal.
II 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.
Il don't know it," she said, $50 ]
can't say it."
Ninian leaned toward her.
Il, Ninian, take thee, Lulu, to be
my welded wife," he pronounced.
That's the way 1t goesl"
Lulu daren't say it" cried Dwight.
He laughed so loudly that those at
the near tables turned. And, from
the fastness of her wifehood and moth.
erhood Ina laughed. Really, 1t was
ridiculous to think of Lulu that
Ninian laughed, too. Course she
don't dare say it," he challenged.
From within Lulu, that strange
Lulu, that other Lulu who sometimes
fought her battles, suddenly spoke
out:
Il. Lulu, take thee, Ninian, to be
my welded husband"
"You will?" Ninian cried.
Il WILL" she said, laughing tremu-
lously, to prove that she, too, could
join in, could be as merry as the rest.
"And I will. There, by Jove now
have we entertained you, or haven't
we?' Ninian laughed and pounded his
soft fist on the table.
"Oh, say, honestlyr' Ina was
shocked. II don't think you ought
to-holy things-what's the matter.
Dwightie?"
Dwight Herbert Deacon's eyes were
staring and HIS face was scarlet.
"Say, by George" he said "a civil
wedding is binding in this state"
"A civil wedding? Oh, we'll" Min
ian dismissed 1t.
"But l." said Dwight, "happen to
be a magistrate"
They looked at one another fool
ishly. Dwight sprang up with the in
determinate idea of inquiring some
thing of some one, circled about and
returned. Ina had taken his chair
and sat clasping Lulu's hand. Ninian
continued to laugh. s$
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 say!" he said, and sat
down again.
Above that shfoud-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 Ninian. "Why, I
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 fiickered. With pang
OF wonder which pierced her and left
hnr Shnknn nj Innlyn1
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. If 1t is necessary. 7
should say we can have it set aside
quietly up here in the city-no oneu
be the wiser"
"Set aside nothiAg" said Ninian.
I'D like to see 1t stand"
"Are you serious, NinT'
"Sure I'm serious"
Ina jerked gently at her sisters
arm.
'Tulul 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, so
that the effect of his earnestness was
impaired. But he was obviously In
earnest
They were looking at 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 a fel-
low l know there in the theater." he
cried. "Tll get him on the line. He
could tell me If there's any way"
and was off.
Ina inexplicably began touching
away tears. "Oh," she said. "what
will mamma say?"
Lulu hardly heard her. Mrs. Bett
was incalculably distant.
"You sure" Lulu said low to
| Ninian.
For the first time, something In her
/ exceeding isolation really touchad hin,