I used to fish and hunt in the woods and often spent a week living in the caves dressed as a boy. That's what I was doing when this catastrophe occurred.

"When I came out I found my parents in the house alone, dead. I buried them on the place. I then set out to find someone else, but soon discovered that I was alone. It hit me pretty hard for a while, but I got over it and decided to make the best of it. I got a new pickup truck with a camper top on it, loaded it with provisions and plenty of ammunition, and drove around all over the southern states. In winter I went back to my old home.

"I was on my way back home when I saw the smoke of your fire. No one was around, so I just took the rotor out of your distributor, and waited till you show- ed up."

"I'm so glad you did," Charlene laughed happily.

"I have one more question, " Joe said. "Charlene, will you marry me?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Three weeks later, the wedding took place. They had wired the biggest church in Tallahassee and set a tape recorder to carry out the whole wedding cere- mony. A phonograph played the music, a tape record- er played a minister's voice saying the ceremony. They answered, "I do," in the right places. Charlene was dressed in the complete outfit she had selected for Lucille in Pittsburgh. After the ceremony they ran down the aisle and out the door to the car.

At the car, Charlene stood alone while Joe ran up on the steps and threw some rice on her. They both then got in the car and drove off, the old shoes tied to the back of the bumper bouncing on the pavement.

Joe looked down at Charlene, and grinned happily. Charlene looked up at Joe, and smiled dreamily. snuggled up close to him as he put his arm around her and drew her close. The car stopped. Their lips mer in a tender, lingering kiss. The car moved on.

48.