Nogales international., 1931-09-19
NINTH INSTALMENT
COPYRIGHT 1881
BY THE AUTHOR

Raclruff Motors hire Rowena to accom-
pany Peter on nationwide tour in their
roadster as an advertising stunt. At the
last minute Little Bobby is engaged to act
as chaperon.
at being parted from her sweetheart and
Rowena insists on taking her place IN the
rumble so that she can ride with Peter and
have him to talk to about Carter. Rowena
gets Peter to consent to divide the expense
money each week as soon as it arrives
and astonishes Peter by eating too econ
omicaly. .
The three tourists reach Denver, after
passing through Buffalo, Chicago and St
Louis. Peter and Rowena have many tins
on the way while Carter keeps wiring boDoy
they reach Denver, Peter and Rowena dis,
cover Bobby has deserted them and returned
to New York by train. They are faced with
the impossible condition of continuing their
trip without chaperon.
Rowef1a- suggests to Peter that they make
"companionate' marriage. They are mar
ried and go to Cheyenne, where their actions'
when they ask for rooms on separate noors,
arouses the suspicious of the hotel clerk.
They finally succeed in, getting rooms, put S
hotel loungers. They wire the company
they have been married.
They resume the trip the next day and
are overwhelmed by cloudburst IN an
arroyo and are thrown out of the car.
party of tourist campers gives them dry
and the hotel clerk smiles when they reg
ister They find Rackruf Motors have
arranged a public reception and dance fo1
them. They are deluged with presents.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
! When Peter went out for a look
around town she hurried away with
her share of the wedding presents in
search of a pawn-shop, where she LETT
them securely locked away from dan
ger of theft or loss, and stopped fol
an express money order on her way
home.
There wasn't enough money for
the suit but she bought new, frilly
collar and cuff set to brighten up the
old one which she extravagantly sent
down to the hotel cleaners for press
ing. She had small electric iron
and a folding board in her big suit
case, but she felt some hesitancy
about resorting to such an economy
with Peter in the sitting-room.
The reception was huge success
The best people in their best clothes
were properly impressed. Peter and
Rowena in mound of flowers in the
Rackruff roadster were photographed
for the local papers, interviewed by
representatives of the press, and con-
graduated on every hand Peter was
given pearl-studded cigarette
Eahter. which worked successfully
and kowena a wr1st-Watcn with the
same design in chip diamonds. She
accepted it with a glowing smile and
inner regret that she had not lad it
earlier in the day TO provide the
coveted suit.
Mr.. Meeker told her confdentially
that the only reason he had not told
her about the wristwatch was because
they had evidently planned it as an
aiterthought and he hadn't heard OF
it.
When the reception was over they
were driven triumphantly back to the
hotel in a procession Of Rackrutf
roadsters, SO that a considerable
crowd gathered in the streets to cheer
them on
Peter, don't you love it" de-
manded Rowena when they were
again alone in the bridal sulte-alone
but with the door noticeably ajar
Don't you adore being a husband
Aren't you glad We got married
Why, if l had known it was such
fun I'd have been married dozens OF
times before this"
Peter waited in the lobby down
stairs while she dressed for the. big
affair of the day, and when she wa
ready he took possession Of the bed
room and bath while she sat in the
flower-h1led sitting-room = the dool
into the corridor wide open, you may
be sure-and wrote long gay lettel
to Buddy, enclosing the money order
At seven o'clock Mr.. Meeker callet
to escort them down in person. H'
brought a huge corsage of orchids
and orange blossoms for Rowena ant
a gardenia for Peters buttophole.
@Guess we better let her stick i
in for you," said Mr.. Meeker. Seem
like it gives more of bridal toucl
to things"
Rowena rose to the occasion. Sh
kissed the gardenia prettily and thel
flicked it coquettishly or. Peters Chi
before she tucked it carefully int
the lapel of his coat-all this to tn
beaming delight of Mr.. Meeker an
the confusion of Peter.
Flushing with rosy pride, MI
| Meeker led them down to the recer
( 4;on-roono and introduced them one