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Show r m " f) An Absentminded Bridegroom ti) By RAY LEWIS () SiS, i iiii Sil. i i '. i 1 1 '1 1 z a tt X ELL, well, congratulation's, ' ' old man!" and Jerry Green gave Davis a slap on the hack which caused him to wince, even as ho had un Inward doubt of the sincerity of Ids fellow boarder's felicitations. "When Is the happy event to be?" "Can't Kay as to that," returned Davis pleasantly enough. "The sooner the better." "To be sure, to be sure. Only, mind you, Dave," and Jerry sh.wl: a waggish linger under the other's very nose, "don't get one of your nbscnlmiiided streaks and forget there is to be such a thing as a weihjing when the Joyful day conies. That would be tough on Doris! And count on your fellow boarders, old lop. They'll be on hand, every man of them !" The affable Jrry left Davis at the next corner, and tiie latter proceeded more slowly, reflecting bitterly that if be and Doris could only ship their wedding day their marriage wouM he-gin he-gin much more uuspiciously. t'he very thought of going through the solemn ceremony with that bunch of conspirators eyeing him and nudging each other if lie fumbled for the ring or Doris hesitated over the promise to obey, he hated in anticipation of the event. Doris, he knew, was of the same mind as himself. But ten years' humble hum-ble subservience to her aggressive aunt had induced in the girl a docile acquiescence in all things. It would never have occurred to her to cvm but her relative's wishes, even in so personal a matter as her own wtd ding. Yet that night Doris, with troubled eyes, poured out her heart to Dave as the two walked down to the moving pictures, their one escape from the uninviting noisy phonograph ridden parlor. "It's not -the ceremony part or even the supper 1 dread, Dave," she confided. con-fided. "The crowd will be decent enough then. It's afterward. I was getting clean towels out of the closet for Aunt Fanny as that awful J'-rry Green and Ed Barrows came down the ball. They didn't know I was anywhere around, but I heard Jerry says that we didn't sland a chance of getting away together. There are to be a couple of flivvers owned hy friends of Jerry's at each end of the street and you are to be well, kidnapped, and I'm to be taken to the wrong 1 station, and, "oh, Dave, it'll be just cheap horseplay!" Davis was silent for several moments, mo-ments, lie suspected the existence of a state of affairs of which Doris was Ignorant. In the first place, ever since bis arrival at the boaiding house some years ago, he had been an objet't of fun, if not contempt, to the "gay-dog" young crowd of clerks which boosted Mrs. Barker's place as a "really live joint !" Davis had chosen it because of its low rates and its nearness to a branch library, where so many of. his evenings were spent. Thai trait was especially provocative of criticism that a man would prefer mulling over books to a good, smlppy game of cards or a billiard party with the other roomers. The fact that he was really ahsent:v!-i(lc(l at times forgetting meal hours or his hat or some equally important item bad furnished further fur-ther opportunity for their shafis of ridicule. But, most vital of all, Davis sus peeled (hat a very real enmity toward to-ward him existed on the part of Ed Iiarrows and that Dot is was the cause lOd, who fancied he had a way with all ladies, had tried to philander with Doii-i, hail had his passing interest stayed and (lamed by her quiet indifference, indif-ference, and had seen "that absent-minded absent-minded bookworm" make good where lie had failed. On I he night of the wedding excitement ex-citement was distinctly evident at (he supper table a( Mrs. Barker's. The ceremony was scheduled for 7:30. the express man was to come for the trunks at 7 :00 and Doris was to put on her going-away suit In which she was to be married immediately after she had for (he lasl (hue cleared the long table. In view of the occasion her aunt had thoughtfully excused her from any further duly in the kil'.hen. Everyone was prompt (o the meal-that meal-that is, everyone except Davis. In fact. It was well along toward the end of the meat pie course when the telephone behind Jerry Green rang noisily. Jerry jumped (o answer. Then be hung up the receiver, doubled up in laughter, slapped his (high and all but choked. "That bird Davis will be the death of me! He's clean gone and forgotten K's his wedding day Says to expect him in ahoul an hour or so to take Doris here to the movies He's eating al a quick lunch so's to stop at the library!" There was utter silence. Then to a man (he boarders laughed, only sobering sober-ing slightly when they saw Doris' face bowed in her hands, rise and leave the room. Behind her fingers bid a tremulous trem-ulous smile. Thus it was that while the crowd waited for Dave and Mrs. Barker attended at-tended to the express man Doris slipped out and met her bridegroom at the corner. A few minutes later, in a quiet little parsonage uptown, a perfectly satisfied couple said "1 do" and "I will" before only four spectators specta-tors the minister, bis wife, his daughter daugh-ter and the friendly old parsonage cat. C'opyrlght.) |