A CHRISTMAS RESCUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8612, 24 December 1913, Page 9

A CHRISTMAS RESCUE

lb is impossible to predict what Kathryn will do next. That spelling ■iif her name, for instance, was adopted •ub a moment’s notice, after eighteen years of "Catherine.” Who can tell when sho will change it to Kitty ? That really fits her puss-liko ways. On Christmas eve I‘decided that my ©ft to Kathryn should bo presented hy file in person, Tho jeweller could not promise its delivery that night and it Was no burden to carry. Besides, I wanted to see if that stone was what tshe really liked, whether tho sotting Was as it should be, and if the ring fitted tho right finger. Sho had said "Yes” that very afternoon. Her delight in the ring was genuine. After I had claimed part payment for itho special delivery (tho mistletoe had Jiot arrived yet, so I had to invent itomo excuse) we sat for a while in tho firelight. There are moments when I dislike brilliant illumination in a room. Presently I noticed that Kathryn «©emed absent-minded, and after some roaring I induced her to unburden her mind. ■ As usual the result was unexpected. “Wo must elope!” said Kathryn. "Why?” I gasped. ' "My-grandmother did!” "If you go back far enough you will find that ono of your grandmothers lived in a cave. Is that any reason why you should do tho same?” ‘ Sho moved along the sofa beyond “the reach of my protecting arms. "I was afraid you wouldn’t stand the test.” sho said, scornfully. “You Bay you’ll do anything to prove your love for me, and yet you draw back ftt a mere elopement—a simple thing like thatl” .“Simplet”’ I‘. echoed. “Anyway, I’m not without consolation. Mr Carding agreed to elope with me if you couldn’t. Ho seemed >«ager to do it!” “Hid you ask him?” I said in amazement. “Certainly not! He promised an hour after you did. I explained my position.. Ho said ho would run off with mo. I told him he might, only I thought you ought to have first chance. I per-, euaded him to let you have than •ahance.” “That’s different,” I answered. “Of ■eourse I’ll elope.” Kathryn moved back beside me on the sofa. “Splendid!” she said. “Carding will S»o 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 olopo In!” "But your grandmother didn’t elope In”——e

By R. G. Welsh

I “If you’re going to bo disagreeable you can stay at home. This is going to bo 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 tho turn affairs had taken. I like long engagements. All nay’ previous ones had been that sort. On Christmas morning I went round for tho elopement ten minutes "late, so that Kathryn might have a chance to feci anxious" about ray coming. It did not pleaso me to find Carding’a sixty horse power flyer at the door with its owner and Kathryn stowing packages in the tonneau and both behaving altogether too gay. Besides, I don’t think much of an elopement' with all the bride’s family looking on from tho front windows. “They think I’m going off to tho Strangoways’ house party,” • whispered Kathryn. Then she went on with her eager discussion with Carding over the best places for her dress boxes. “Strap them on behind,” she said to me finally. I object to being ordered about like that. However, I knew I could change a)' that after matrimony, s 6 I did as she hid me. I was a long time fussing at tho back of the machine, for my hands were cold and I ■ was all alone. Meanwhile Kathryn and Carding were having a good time together, laughing quite boisterously. I was furious. In a rage I removed a square box from the back of the machine. Carding always seemed to regard that box with special care. It gurgled when you shook it. I supposed it was liquor of some sort. Carding is such a thirsty brute. I hid the box in tho basement entry. “Como, come,” cried Carding,■ “what are you dawdling there for? Where .all ready I” There he sat in tho front seat, with • Kathryn beside him. I was about to object vigorously, when I saw for the first time a very pretty girl on the hack seat. I restrained my objections. “This is my cousin Polly,” said Kathryn. “Poily, this is your cousin-in-law-that-is-to-bo.” . "While we were still shaking hands Carding started np the machine, and 1 fell in Polly’s arms. We’re off. We wore going to a little mountain village where Kathryn had spent last summer. The young minister there had expressed a desire to marry her. She was going to let him do it. We had a beautiful time—Polly and I on the back seat, and by the time we had covered thirty miles we felt as if we had known each other always.' Kathryn was quieter than usual, probably because Carding was busy with the machine’s guidance over the snowv country roads. Presently wo slowed up and then stopped altogether. “The gasolene has given out. I’vo got to fill her up again!” and Carding

jumped out. Evidently he was looking for the box I had removed from tho back of tho car. When ho discovered its absence lie went off into such torrents of profanity that even Kathryn was shocked. And there wo wore, off in the hills, miles away from a village, snow 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: — “Kathryn ordered mo to strap her ball gown back there. Gasolene is only good for ball gowns after they vo been worn, not before.” . The atmosphere was constrained. It was Poly who helped to clear "There’s a team crossing tho field, she said, “Haloo, therol” Our voices joined in a call that was about as harmonious as tho average comic vaudeville quartet. It arrested the attention of the driver, who puu about and came towards us oyer tne 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, in drive some of yo down thear an’ back, after I’ve been to.tho parsonage with this here plum puddin’. Mandy alius sends the parson some plum puddin’ on Christmas. Her folks hev alias,dono that as fur back as the Colonial Dames.” “A- parson? Is ho the marry in’ sort?” asked Kathryn “Not yet, though every gal'’round hes tried her best.” “I mean, can he perform the cere-, mony?” “Well, I guess yess. If ye make it worth while. So this is a weddin’ party! I’ll haul ye over. It’s only across tho hill.” ... “Wo’U make it worth your while,” said Kathryn. “But, really” 1 began. “If you don’t like the idea you can rido over to- Adams Centre with onr friend and get tho gasolene. 1 am 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 tho while being constantly quizzed by a curiosity ridden countryman, is not a joyous prelude to a honeymoon, especially when the best man is acting as your understudy, and would gladly accept the role, without a rehearsal. When presently we stood up in the stiff little parlor with the horsehair furniture, the wax flowers and the framed text on tne wall, 1 was too dis-. gusted to argue with the timid clergyman about tying the knot. It was Carding and Kathryn who did all the talking, finally persuading him, against his own conviction, that thero were two young people with every right to get married. He wentt .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, “hut to forget tho ring—never.” “Use a curtain ring,” suggested the practical Polly. “I won’t. I will be married with a proper ring or not at all!” “I have my mother's wedding ring,” broke in Carding. “I’d be glad to lot 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 be engaged to a man who uses such language,” said

Kathryn, handing back the engagement ring. I didn’t mind, because, as Carding had been even more profane than I, he stood no more chance with her on that score than I did. With that the parson came back. Tho near-sighted creature couldn’t perceive that anything was wrong. Kathryn and Carding were standing together. He faced them and began. “Dearly beloved” I gasped, Polly snickered audibly, Kathryn looked astonished, but Carding was unmistakably pleased. Before any protest could be made the marriage ceremony was under way. Before we recovered our equilibrium Kathryn and Carding were man and wife. That’s why I’m sorry 1 said things about him. He’s married now. When our friend got back with the gasolene we started back for town. Late that night, as we four sat at what Wo called the wedding breakfast (it was nearly midnight) at Sherry’s, Carding and Kathryn were planning how to break the news at home. Kathryn interrupted the discussion. “Why, Polly/’ she exclaimed, ‘“where did you get that soltaire?” “I’m engaged now, " said Polly, blushing and looking in my direction. It is to be a long engagement. I’ve always liked that sort. And in won’t end in aa elopement in a motor this time.”