A CHRISTMAS RESCUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

A CHRISTMAS RESCUE.

fT is impossible to predict what Kathryn will do next. That spelling of her name, for instance, was adopted _ . nt a moment's notice, after eighteen years of "Catherine. Who can tell when she will change it to Kitty? That really fits her puss-like ways. On Christinas Eve 1 divided that my gift | to Kathryn should be presented by me in person. The jeweller could not promise its delivery tliat night and it was no burden to carry. Besides, ] wanted to eeo it the stone watt what, she really liked, whether the ting was as it should be, and if the ring fitted the right finger. Sho had said " les ' that very afternoon. Her delight in the ling was genuine.. After I had claimed part payment for the special delivery (tho mistletoe had not arrived yet, so I had to invent some excuse) we sat for a while in the firelight. There are moments when I dislike brilliant illumination in a room. Presently 1 noticed that Kathryn seemed abeenl-minded, and after pome coaxing I induced her to unburden her mind. As usual the result was unexpected. "We must elope!" said Kathryn. "Why?" I guejied. "My grandmother did!"

"If you go back far enough you'll find that one of your grandmothers med in a cave. Is that any reason why J-ou should do the same?" She moved along the sofa beyond the reach of aiTV protecting arms. " I was afraid you wouldn't stand the tcet," she said scornfully. "You say you'll do anything to prove your love for me, and yet you draw back at a mere elopement— a simple thing like that?" " Simple!" I echoed. " Anyway, I'm not without consolation. Mr. Carding agreed to elope with me if you couldn't. He seemed eager to do it!" "Did you ask him?" I said in amazement. "Certainly not! He proposed an hour after you did. I explained my position. He said he would run off with me. I told him he might, only I thought you ought to have the first chance. I persuaded him to let you have that chance." "That's differont," I answered. "Of course I'll elope." Kathryn moved back beside me on the eofa. " Splendid!" she said. " Carding will be the best man." "You don't have a best man at an elopement," I ventured. " This time you do, because then we can borrow Carding's motor to elope in!"- " But your grandmothor didn't elope in"— "If you're going to be disagreeable you can stay at home. This is going to be my elopement." There was nothing to do but acquiesce, and I silenced any further discussion in the only way an ardent lover can effectually do so. But I was disappointed in the turn affairs had taken. I like long engagements. All my previous ones had been that sort.

On Christmas morning I went around for the elopement ten minutes late, so that Kathryn might have a chance to feel anxious about my coming. It did not pleaco me to find Carding'fi sixty-horjp power llyer at the door with its owner and Kathryn stowing packages in the tonneau and both bohaving altogether too gay. Besides, I don't think much of an elopement with all the bride's family looking on from the front windows. " They think I'm going off to the Strangeways' house party, ' whispered Kathryn. Then eho went on with her eager discussion with Carding over thqifceet places for her dress boxes. " Strap them on behind," flie said to me finally. I object to being ordered about like that. However, I knew I could change all that after matrimony} to I did as she ! bid me. I was a long time fussing at the ! back of the machine, for my hands wero ' cold, and I was all alone. Meanwhile Kathryn and Carding were having a good time together, laughing quite bnieterously. | I was furious. In a rage I removed a , square box from the back of the machine. Carding always eeomed to regard that box ) with special cure. It gurgled when you j shook it. I supposed it was liquor of some ; sort. Carding is such a thirsty brute. I I hid tho box in the basement entry. I "Come, come," cried Carding. "wlwtj are you dawdling there for? We're all j ready!" There he eat in the front seat, with Kath- | ryn beti him. I was about to object , vigorously, when I saw for the first time a very pretty girl on the back scat. I restrained my objections. " This is my cousin Poll}'," said Kathryn. " Polly," this is your cousin-in-law-that-is-to-bo." While we wore etill shaking hands Carding started up the machine, and I fell in Polly's arms. We're off. Wo were going to a little mountain village where Kathryn lin-1 epont last summer. The young minister there had expressed a desire to marry her. She was going to let him do it.

Wo had a beautiful time—Polly and I on the back Feat, and by the time we had covered thirty miles wo felt as if we had known each other alwaye. Kathrvn- was quieter than usual, probably because Carding was busy with the machine's guidance over the snowy country roads. Presently we slowed up and then stopped altogether. "The gasolene has given out. I've got to fill her up again!" and Carding jumped out. Evidently he was looking for the box I had removed from the back of the car. When he discovered it« absence ho went off into such torrents of profanity that even Kathryn was shocked. And there we were,

off in the hills, miles away from a village, enow two feet deep all about us and no gasolene. "Who unstrapped that trunk?" Carding demanded. "I did," I answered loftily. There was another explosion of profanity. When it subsided I remarked: "Kathrvn ordered me to ft rap her ball gown back there. Oasoleno is only good for ball gowns after they've been worn, not before." The atmosphere was constrained. It was Polly who helped to clear matters. " There's a team crossing that field," sho said. "Ilaloo, there!" Our voices joined in a call that wa« about as hurmenhus as the average comic vaudeville quartet. It arrested tho attention of tho driver, who put about and c.imj toward us over the uneven road. We watched him approach. 'Hullo, folks!" he called out. "Want help?'' " Where's the nearest place we can get gasolene?" " Adams' Centre, six miles over. I'll drive some of ye down there an' back, after I've been to the parsonage with this hero plum puddin'. Mandy alius fiends the parson some, plum puddin' on Christmas. Her folks hev alius done that as fur back as the Colonial Dames.'" "A parson? Is he the marry-in* sort?" asked Kiitliryn.

" Not yit, though every gal 'round he 6 • tried her best." "I mean, can he perform the ceromony?" "Well, I guess yes. If ye make it worth while. So this? is a weddin' party! I'll haul ye over. It's only across the hill." "We'll make it worth your while," said Kathryn. "But, really" I began. " If you don't like the idea you can ride over to Adams' Centre with our friend and get the gasolene. I'm going to get married." So Kathryn settled it. Roping a motor to an antiquated team that is to draw you to your own wedding, all the while being constantly quizzed by a curiosity-ridden countryman, is not a joyous prelude to a , honeymoon, especially when tho beet man is acting as your understudy, and would gladly accept your role without a rehearsal. When presently we stood up in the «titl little parlour with tho horsehair furniture, j the wax flowers and the framed texts on the wall, I wae too disgusted to argue with the timid clergyman about tying the knot. It was Larding and Kathryn who did all the talking, finally persuading him, against his own conviction, that hero were two young people with every right to get married. He wont off for the necessary documents, shaking his head dubiously. "Where's the ring?" demanded Kathryn I fumbled in every pocket. It had been left behind. ' I could forgive the gasolene episode,'' said Kathryn, "but to forget tho rinz— never!" • "FS. e 5 curtain 1 in S»" suggested the practical Polly. "I won't. 1 will be married with a proper ring or not at all!" " I have my mother's wedding ling," broko in Carding. " I'd be glad to let you have it, Kathryn, but you'd have to marry me." That was a blow to me, especially as the , idea seemed very agreeable to Kathryn. I lost my temper, and said things to Carding that I'm sorry for. " "I refuse to bo engaged to a man who uses snch language," said Kathrvn. handing back the engagement ring. I didn't mind, because, as Carding had been even moro profane than I. lie stood no more chance with her on that score than I did. With that the parson came back. The near-sighted creature couldn't percoive that anything was wrong. Kathrvn and Carding were standing together. Ho faced them and began: " Dearly beloved" I gasped, Polly snickered, Kathrvn looked astonished, but Carding was unmistak- ! ably pleased. Before nnv protest could be ; made the marriage ceremony was under wav. Before we recovered our equilibrium Kathrvn and Carding were man and wife. That's why I'm sorry I said things about him. He's married now. When our friend got back with the gasolene we started back for town. Late that is?lit. as we four sat at what we called the wedding breakfast (it was nearly midnight) j at Slierrv'e, Carding and Kathrvn were planning how to break the news at home. Kathrvn interrupted tho discussion. * "Why, Polly," she exclaimed, "where did von get that solitaire?" "I'm engaged now." said Polly, blushing and looking in my direction. It is to bo a long engagement. I've always liked that sort. And it won't end in an elopement in a motor this time."