Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-10-24
THE BEST MAN.
How Young Van Bibber Assisted
Boston Lochinvar.

iouHB NdH DlDDeF came DdCh 10 UOWn
from Newport the other day to see his
lawyer about the disposal Of some prop
erty that needed his sanction. He found
the city very hot and dreary and empty.
lie had to wait over for an afternoon
train, and as he was downtown he de-
cided to lunch at French restaurant
near Washington square, where some
one told him you could get particular
things particularly well-cooked. The
tables were set on terrace with plants
and flowers about them and covered
with tri-colored awning. There were
no jangling horse-car bells nor dust to
disturb him, and almost all the other
tables were unoccupied The walters
leaned against these tables and chatted
in French argot, and cool breeze
blew through the plants and beloved
the awning, SO that on the whole Van
Bibber was glad he had come.
When he had given his order he
leaned back and surveyed the other
diners. There was an old Frenchman
scolding over his late breakfast, two
young artists with Van Dyke boards,
who ordered the most remarkable things
in the same French argot that the wait
ers spoke, and young lady and young
gentleman at the table next to his own.
The mans back was toward him, and he
could see only the girl when the youth
moved to one side. She was very young
and very pretty, and she seemed in a
most excited state of mind from tho tip
of her wide-briinmed, pointed French
hat to the points Of her patent-leather
ties. She was stril1ingly well-bred in
appearance, and Van Bibber wondered
why she should be dining alone with so
young man.
at wasn't my fault said the youth,
earnestly; 'Id no idea he would be out
of town, and, anyway, it really doesn't
matter There are other clergymen in
the city besides your cousin"
"0f course" said the girl almost tear
fully; but they're not my cousin and
he is, and that would have made it so
much-oh, so worry much different I'm
awfully scared
Runaway couple, by Jovo" COM
mented Van Bibber; most interesting.
Read about 'em often; never seen 'em.
Most interesting"
He bent his head over an entrce, but
he could not help hearing what fol-
lowed, for the young runaways were in
different to all around them, and though
he ratified his knife and fork in most
vulgar manner, they did not hear him
nor lower their voices.
WELL what are you going to do?"
said tho girl severely, but not unkind-
ly; at doesn't seem to me that you are
exactly rising to the occasion"
"Woll, don't know" answered the
youth; we're safe here, anyway. No
body we know ever comes here, and if
they did, they are out of town, now.
You go on and eat something, and I'll
get directory and look up lot of cler-
gym as addresses, and then we can
make out list and drive around III a
cab until we find one who has not gone
off on his vacation"
They'll never forgive u.s." said the
girl
= ''Oh, well, that's all right" exclaimed
the young man, cheerfully; really,
you're the most uncomfortable young
woman | ever ran away with. One
might think you were going to funer-
al, You were willing enough two days
ago, and now you're sorry you came"
mo, not sorry, exactly" said the
girl; "but, indeed, Ted, it is going to
make so much talk, If we only had a
girl with us, or if you had best man,
or if we had witnesses, as they do in
England, and parish registry, or some
thing of that sort or, if Cousin Harold
had only been at home to do the mar
rying,"
The young gentleman called Ted did
not look, Judging from the expression
of his shoulders, as if he were having a
very good time
lie called the waiter and told him to
bring a directory, and as he turned to
give the order, Van Bibber recognized
him and he recognized Van Bibber. Van
Blbber knew him for very nice boy OF
very good Boston family named Stand
ish, and tho younger of two sons. II
was the elder who was Van Bibbers
particular friend. The girl saw moth.
ing of this mutual recognition, for she
was looking with startled eyes at a han
som that had dashed up the side street
and was turning the corner.
Tied! oh, TedP she gasped; cts your
brother. There! In that hanson. |
saw him perfectly plainly Oh, how did
he find US? What shall we do?"
Ted grew very red and then very
white.
'Standish," said Van Bibber, jump
ing up and reaching for his hat, pay
this chap for those things, will you, and
I'll get rid of your brother"
Van Bibber came down the steps
lighted cigar, as the elder Standish
came up them on the jump
Hello! Standisb" shouted the New
Yorker; what coincidence! Why,
I've just seen your brother, and now
here you are. What's up?"
you've seen himP' cried the Boston
man, eagerly; yes, and where is he
Was she with him? Are they married
Am in time?"
Van Bibber answered these different
questions to the effect that he had seer
young Standish and Mrs, Standish no
a half-an-hour before, and that they
were just then taking cab for Jersey
City, whence they were to depart fol
Chicago.
"rhe driver who brought them here
and who told me where they were, sale
they could not have left this place by
the time would reach it." said the
elder brother, doubtfully.
Yes but they have" said Van Bib
Der; however, If you get over to Jersey
City in time for the two-thirty, you car
reach Chicago almost as soon as they
do. They are going to the Palmer
House, they said"
"Thank Won. old fellow shoutel