Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-10-30
THE BEST MAN.
How Young Van Bibber Assisted
a Boston Lochinvar.

Young Van Bibber came back to town
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.
He 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-cooled. The
tables were set on terrace with plants
and flowers about them and covered
with a 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,
VINO OEhtItQ buG illuSb JilAnEo
in the same French argot that the wait
ers spoke, and a 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 the tip
of her wide brimmed, pointed French
hat to the points of her patent-leather
ties. She was striltingly well-bred in
appearance, and Van Bibber wondered
why she should be dining alone with so
young man.
at wasn't my fault" said tho youth,
earnestly; 'T'd no idea he would be out
of town, and, anyway, it really doesn't
matter. There arc other clergymen in
the city besides your cousin"
''Of 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 very much different I'm
awfully scared.
Runaway couple, by Jover' COM
mented Van Bibber; most interesting.
Read about 'em often; never seen 'em.
Most interesting"
He bent his head over an en- tree, 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; lit doesn't seem to me that you are
exactly rising to the occasion"
"Well, / don't know" answered tho
youth; we're safe here, anyway. No
body we know ever comes here, and II
they did, they are out OF town, now.
You go on and cat something, and I'll
get directory and look up a lot of cler-
gymen's addresses, and then We can
make out list and drive around in a
cab until we find one who has not gone
of on his vacation"
They'll never forgive u.s." said the
girl
''Oh, well, that's all right" exclaimed
tho 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"
No, not sorry, exactly" said tho
girl; "but, indeed, Ted, it is going to
make SO much talk. If we only had
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."