Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-10-24
"Now, then" said that young man,

as he approached the frightened couple
on the terrace, "I've sent your brother
off to Chicago. do not know why
selected Chicago as place where one
would go on honeymoon. But Pm not
very good at it. Now, If you will in
troduce me I'll see what can be done
toward getting you two babes out of the
woods.
Standish said miss Cambridge, this
is Mr.. Cortlandt Van Bibber of whom
you have heard my brother speak," and
Miss Cambridge said she was very glad
to meet Mr.. Van Bibber even under
such peculiarly trying circumstances.
"Now, what you two want to do"
said Van Bibber, addressing them as
though they were just about fifteen
years old and he was at least forty lis
to give this thing all the publicity you
can"
"AYhat?' chorused the two runaways,
in violent protest.
Certainly" said Van Bibber: ''you
were about to make fatal mistake.
You were about to go to some unknown
X
would have married you in back room
without certificate or witness, just
like any clipping farmers daughter and
a lightning rod agent Now, it's diff
ferent with you two Why you were
not married respectfully in church, |
don't know; but kind Providence has
sent me to see that there is no talk or
scandal, which is such bad form, and
which would have got your names in
all the society papers. | am going to
arrange this wedding properly, and you
will kindly remain here until | send a
carriage for you. Now, just rely on me
and eat your luncheon calmly. Allow
me to recommend the salad, which is
especially good"
Van Bibbor first drove madly to the
Little Church Around the Corner,
where he told the kind old rector all
about it, and arranged to have the
church open and the assistant organist
in her place. and district messenger
boy to blow the bellows, at three
o'clock. Now" he said, 81 must get
some names. 1t doesn't matter much
whether they happen to know tho high
contracting parties or not, but they
must be names that everybody knows
! Whoever is in town will be lunching at
Delmonico's and the men will be at the
club" So he just went to the big res
taurant, where, as good luck would
have it, he found Mrs "Regy' Van
T., d. I'll, Al.
Misses Brookline, who were just off the
yacht Minerva, of the Boston Yacht
Club, and he swore them to secrecy and
told them about it.
At the club he pressed four men into
service who knew erybody and whom
everybody knew, and when they pro-
tested that they had not been properly
invited and that they knew only the
bride and groom by sight, he told them
that made no difference, as it was their
names only he wanted. Then he sent a
messenger-boy to get the biggest suite
of rooms on the Fall River boat and
another one for flowers, and then he put
Mrs. Regy Van Arnt into cab and sent
her after the bride, and as best man, he
got into another cab and carried off the
groom.
81 have acted as best man or usher
forty-two times now" said Van Bibber,
as they drove to the church. 'and this
is the first time ever appeared in
either capacity in Russia-leather shoes
and blue-serge yachting suit. But
then," he added contentedly, Ppm
nothing to the other fellows. One OF
them is in a st-ipedfannel suit"
Mrs. "Regy" and Miss Cambridge
wept great deal on the way uptown,
but the bride was all smiles and bushes
when she walked up the aisle to meet
her prospective husband. They all
shook hands after it was over, and the
assistant-organist played the Wedding
March," and one of the club-men in
sisted in pulling a cheerful and jerlly
peal on tho church bell in the absence
of the janitor, and then Van Bibber
hurled an old shoe and a handful of rice
which he had thoughtfully collected
from the cook at the club-after them
as they drove off to the boat.
Now" said Van Bibber, ''when that
is printed in the papers tomorrow it
will read like one of the most orthodox
and swagger weddings of the season.
But still can not help thinking"
"Well?" said Mrs, "Regy," as he
paused doubtfully.
We'll l can't help thinking" con.
tinued Van Bibber, "of Standish racing
around Chicago with the thermometer
at one hundred and two in the shade
and of our meeting when he gets back
1t will be feverish-very feverish.
wish had sent him to Jersey City only
1t just shows that man who is moi
practiced in lying should leave it alone.
N. Y. Sun.