Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-18

tns !i town clefks once and get our
''Oh, Henry!" interrupted Mary "do
we have to set license2 That is so
commonplace"
ut is. 1t is," said the young man,
but It Is one Of the many forms Of
tyranny to which young love is sub.
jected-.look at II In that light and It
Will suit you better. As I was saying
we Will be married by some available
lelchester parson and have our wedding
breakfast at the inn while awaiting
parentel forgiveness. have to 60
on to New York tonight on business,
put will be buck a week from today,
Meet mo at the drug store down the
block at half past nine sharp, the morn.
Ing OF my return"
Henry's brisk, business. like man.
ner had a way Of denaturinr the most
romantic proposition. Mary looked
doubtful. But when he added. "Now
don't mention this to a soul; its q
dark secret; let anybody suspect and We
are lost then Mary Frightened up
and rewarded his excursion into 70.
m9nticism with many kisses. And the
following week Mary went about with
mysterious ard melancholy mien,
varied BY occasional flashes of hish
spirits and gayety-and her parents,
watching her, put their heads together
IN whispered conferences. The day and
the hour Of Mary's elopement arrived:
she was at the drugstore on time and
there was Henry awaiting her. He as.
sisted her into an expensive touring
car, at the wheel Of which sat a liv.
cried driver, and away they went:
winding through the city streets and
-
country roads. At first Mary was nil
animation and filed with delight in her
adventure; but as the city was left be.
hind she began to grow thoughtful, and
at last said: ''Henry-do you suppose
we are doing right?"
"Why not?" answered Henry. "1t
was your: own idea, you remember"
Yes, admitted Mary, IT know It
was but, come to think It over, perhaps
we had better" not 10 on. IL don't
me back"
"Nonsense," said Henry. II have
ordered the wedding breakfast and So.
cured the parson by telephone---you
would you?''
Yes. ! would" cried Mary; "please
tell him to turn around and 20 back,
on. I nm wicked. wicked girf-and a
silly one. too. Henry Wardman, take
me home"
But, in spite Of her commands. IN
spite Of her pleading and in spite Of
her tears, Henry sternly insisted upon
going on with the elopemcnt. when
they finally reached the inn Mt Mel.
chester Mary was very red.eyed from
weeping and very rebellious and unro.
mantle as to temperament. She had
not spoken to Henry for the last five
miles, and when she had addressed him
it had been emphatically that, as soon
as they reached Melchester she would
telephone her father that she had been
abducted by a villain. But as she as.
cended the steps Of the hotel piazza she
stopped in amazcment. In comfortable
rocking chairs on the veranda sat Mr..
and Mrs: I.isle, Mr.. and Mrs. Ward.
man, William Cameron. Mary's most
intimate girl friend, Florence BOYD,
and youngish man wearing u clerical
collar.
Mr. Ise e ehtsrisyy smis he1s t' III. sssa ras
son and the breakfast will be ready by
the time we are. All present or ac.
counted for-I,ill Caceron is best man
and Florence is bridesmaid. The old
folks all here. Great idea this of Iienry's
for country wedding. How did the
touring car run coming out? That's
my wedding present. children"
Henry Wardman.'' cried Mary,
"you havc-have--"
"Put up a little job on you. DEAR"
interrupted Henry. But it's all right,
dear, isn't it,"
''I'll never speak to you again."
she snapped. But she did: less than
m hour later In the presence Of the
clergyman and the others she said.
II. Mary, take thee, Henry" etc.