The Nome nugget., 1934-09-08
HERE COMES THE BRIDE
 " By PAUL VANCE
O by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
 WNu Service

O. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
 WNU Service THE little fruit steamer haA
 just arrived from the States
 A "a big event for Port El Sol, where everything Is reckoned as two boats ago" or three boats from now"
 The smelly sun-drenched wharf was . scene of mad activity. Dark skinned shirtless stevedores sweat cd and swore as they carried enor- nous packages of merchandise from the ship to pile on empty hat cars or dump Into waiting carts.
 In the general office the super, intendent of the division, Mike Carew, was busily scanning the pile of letters that had just reached his desk.
 He was . lanky young fellow un- der thirty, with gray eyes which twinkled merrily when not focused intently on some object under scru- tiny.
 The letter he was reading seemed to absorb all his thoughts. Sudden ly. he looked up, also rising from his chair.
 Hang me for an egg eating igu- ana r
 In one swift stride he carried the letter to the auditors desk, where he slapped 1t down in front of an other young man.
 Read that. Andy-and weep" he commanded.
 "What's he done nowf" queried Andy Benton, as his quick eye scanned the sheets in . familiar bold hand.
 "Got married" answered Mike, curtly, much as if saying, Hes dead.'
 Andy picked up the letter for a careful reading.
 He was a big man about Mikes age, with a mop of fine red hair and sea-blue eyes.
 A whimsical smile wreathed his face as he finished.
 "So that's why he was In such . hurry to get away"
 "Yep," returned Mike. "He did it with malice aforethought. Let's see, when does he say he's com ing back?"
 Andy consulted the letter.
 .In about three boats-Joe, the sheik. I knew he'd fall some time."t
 Well, he's pulled a fast one on us, anyway. I suppose he figures we've forgotten all the tricks he's played us before. Say f"-Mike frightened. Lets write him let ter that1l shoot a little worry into him. It's our only chance to break even with him"
 .'Finel The girl won't need to know anything about 1t, and maybe young Joe will do a bit of whole some sweating.
 As soon as office tasks permitted, Mike fell to work on the letter.
 He remembered how this same gentleman Joe had quickly revealed himself as an incurable practical joker whose supreme pleasure 1t was to turn the trick on his two close pals, so that eternal vigilance became the price of peace for them. And yet, Mike recalled, Joe hadn't been from Port Sol three days be- fore he himself had lamented to his fellow-in-bereavement, "Andy, Joe's as necessary to us as feas to 2 dog"
 And Andy had answered. "Yes, we're miserable when he's here and wretchsd when he's away. He sort of makes us forget what hole this is."
 Thought and emotion In fine blend wrought the letter which soon went forth addressed to Mir. Joseph Rogers, absent on leave in the United States. A few excerpts will suggest the character of the whole.
 "There'll be a red-hot reception committee waiting for you at the dock. all right. There's Dolores, the commentaries niece, for one. Says you promised to marry her at the Baile de Independence. Her law yer-father claims that promise made under the influence of cham pagne is binding. They will be there with all the necessary papers.