The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-05-24

marrying another young couple" She
waived toward the stiff, pewlike chairs.
won't be long"
Inc embarrassed couple sat gingerly
on me edges Of the uncomfortable chairs
beyond.
1T won't be longp" Charlie tugged at
tne rim OF his hat, grttted his teeth,
and stared into a black future.
Mamie glanced about the room, dim
y Igheed; ghostly bookcases in corners:
sun, f%orbidding furnishings, so strange.
Imam a-what was she expecting? Yes,
u was a court and they were prisoners
p Tor sentence. She glanced at Charlie.
white.
Even in her narrow, shallow existence
she mad dreamed Of something differ
EN-; a day when Romance would stride
lhto the restaurant, gather her in a
warm embrace, and carry her off. To a
wedding. of course. Romance had en-
oraced her, and this was the climax
marriage! She glanced at Charlie and his
expression troubled her. Was she put
Ting something over On him? If you
want to go through with it,
charlie" she whispered, why, I'll"
"Aw, hut upl" he whispered back,
flashing her an indignant look. He
felt trapped, cheated. And the funeral
IKE aspect Of the judges office didn't
help matters.
Il wish we had a few flowers" whis-
pered Mamie wistfully.
What for?"
%, I dunno. But flowers make it
seem more like a weddin'!"
"Weddin'?-Huh!" Disgust was in
Charles brief look and tone.
"Thi amt no way to start out" said
Mamie with a flash of spirit. Think
we can have any happiness If we make a
bum getaway? Be a sport, can your"
yeah, be a sport! Get the ball and
chaln on a guy, no matter how, and
then tell'm to be a sport! That's all
you danes scheme for. Next little
mony: Gee, but a man is a sucker all
right" He let his chin drop into his
palm and lip sag in sulky chagrin.
Mamie was on the point of tears. But
what good would it do? If she had only
herself to think about she would walk
out Of this place with her head in the
air, and Charlie couldn't have her If he
crawled on his hands and knees, no sir.
Mo- If he begged and begged. But there
was another to consider! She would go
through with it If it killed her.
Time dragged; h condemned await
Ing execution!
Didn't know it took so long to get
married." grumbled Charlie.
The judge is out, you Know"
Sure, marrying another couple, the
woman said. That's what I was sayin',
I didn't think it took so long" He
broke off abruptly as a deep sigh es-
capped him.
Staring al the cherries room, these
two. about to embark on LIES happy
stream Of connubial bliss, faced the fut-
ure with disappointment. Disillusion and
suspicion ranked in their hearts.
Judge Roland D. Jessup, Bible in hand,
respondent in immaculate evening
dress. stood under the high floral bell
suspended from the ceiling Of the living
room of Danny Bowman's luxurious resi-
dence n beamed at the scene before
him. Some wedding.
Huge yellow chrysanthemums were
banked about the walls, a large arch Of
them divided the dining and living room.
Fifty guests, all in evening attire, moved
about the place chatting in u idl-
ing over the punch bow in the patio,
or taking turns in Kidding the pros
pective bridegroom.
Danny had said the ceremony would
begin at 7:15, which meant that the
Judge would be doing his stuff by the
time the grandfather clock in the corner
had ceased Ginning out the quarter
hour. Time was measured in split Sec
onds by Dan, and promptitude was his
idea Of the golden rule Of business.
Soft strains Of an organ recital filled
the room via the radio, cleverly CAM
outraged as an antique secretary. White