The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-22
HOW LUCAS MAMMA LOST HER ACE.
BY WILLIAM BLOSS. < Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Co., Is <; % % & S s < < # E % E E E $ $ <

Ssstrss N Wisconsin, responded Lucia, denurely.
 She knows too much," said Frank. Wants to go to Europe" said George.
 Say, boys" cried Lucia, clapping her hands.
 Well"
 "Xs1ve .11H, &, pestered me long enough"
 And I've got to marry one of you, you say?'
 Sure"
 And I can't m1ks up my mind
 Tt seems so.'
 Well, we're listening" Well, then. I'll marry the one who gets a big scoop first,'-and she ran, out l them.
 They met her at the dinner table. demure as Quaker oats. | Say" called Frank across the table ''dees that go, Miss MasonT'
 t "0f ,, course ts,, it goes, replied Lucia' tered George to his plate George was | given to craft and he was thinking deeply.
 What in the world are you children talking riddles about?" asked Mrs. Ma son, but nobody enlightened her, and the eight non-stellar boarders looked deject-
 At midnight the night police reporters | gathered at the Central station-there were ,.r five of ,1 themVmet n in conclaye and .r extraordinary, unprecedented absence of MT. George Allen of The Day from the scene of his nightly duties. That gen a substitute appeared to take his place. | Neither had he sent any sort of mes sage shedding light upon his non-appear- ance. Cautious and diplomatic inquiries dAd fn ha Nt adt n The Day had elicited only the ambigu- ous reply that he guessed Allen could take care of himself. This was sxas- said. almost unprofessional. A major | ity of those present was in favor of | passing resolutions of condemnation and lining MT. Alien six rounds of steins for conduct unbecoming reporter and a l gentleman, but when 1t was discovered | that since the secret session had been called Mir. Frank Pratt also had myste- riedly dissolved without the formality | cf adjournment. Something big must be in the wind, the other men argued, when two reporters notoriously addicted to l whiskey poker and the flesh pots of | "Cantral' ahsented themselves from these joys to go out in Il night of temp est. They pumped the lieut." who knew nothing. he said, and hen scurricd forth | on an aimless general roundup. The first editions of all the morning papers were commonplace enough. as to
 
 last. which were in the hands of news boys about half-past in the morning. l But no sooner wss it evident that it's rivals were too late to benefit by steal. | ing its thunder, than the presses of The | Day began to pour forth a tremendous edition ever which in huge black letters appeared the fatal @ elusive word: EXTRA.
 Now that extra was what the frater- nifty called a peach. It narrated with minute detail the discovery of plot to blow eff the face of the earth as much of the big steel works in southern su- burb as a hundred pounds of dynamite could remove; the pursuit by the police of a gang -o1 conspirators who had mys- plotter, the finding of the dynamite and a long confession from the arrested man, who was not identified, but was said to be leader. of strikers. Great credit was accorded the police, and bouquets were distributed freely to everybody con- cerned. from inspector to patrolman.
 George reappeared at breakfast time. He had not been home that night. With him came in Lucia. a copy of The Day in her hand. Her cheeks were very rosy and her lips were bent in scarlet voked Anthony to doff his sainthood.
 We'll" cried George, gayly. addr sss- ing Frank, who was begging away mocdily at his toast and eggs. do you
 Guess I'll have to-" answered Frank. But where ir the wcrld-"
 Never mind" tIoke in MT. Allen with dignity. The weddings in the parlor here at neon. high noon, I believe they call 1t I'm going to take no chances, and Lucia's d girl of Ter word, ain't yoI, Lot sh?'
 The b!ushing bride to be ran over and kissed her astonshed mamma for an swer and everybody else hastened to extend Congratula ations. Frank was best man, having recover ed his good humor with his second cup of coffee. The fair Lucia became Mrs. George Radford Al- len at high noon, and bride and groom took the next boat for the Pau-American Expos;tion
 They had reached the "Soo" canal be fore telegram overlook them, reading thus:
 Geo R. Allen. Steamer Southland. Salt
 Ste Marie:
 Fake exposed: Arrested man says you bribed him for S. How about that marriage? F. Pratt"
 Like dutiful husband MT Allen promptly showed this telegram to his better half She looked shocked. Then as 10 one was looking, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him three times. right on the lips
 Huh" said George. Cost me dol lar apiece"
 The bride looked at him omlnously.
 But they're worth it." he added
 Then he caught her 'fast and paid her back her wares.
 You're not so stupid as you look, George" commented Mrs. Allen, admir- ingly. How could you be?''