The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-02

are little lawless?' he added to OAR
by.
mot at ALL" Dorrance interposed,
smiling lndulgently. The parson will
be witness that you came willingly.
The parson raised expostulating
! hands. AT the pistols point he pro-
tested, very truthfully.
'Nonsensei Have another" The
parson held out his glass to the offer
ed bottle. 81 merely invited you to
stag on my wedding eve, and you came
with alacrity, though did understand
that you had a pressing engagement"
The parson smiled family. Mr.. Whar-
ton attempted to control himself. I'll
tell you what" he said, speaking slow
ly and thickly. eff you'll take us back
Immediately I'll give you $1,000
Dorrance laughed and shook his head.
Fifteen hundred?
"You ante too low" Tom Darby sug-
gested,
10, make it worth while, and I'll
raise you, Pop" cried Fetter.
"Fivei"
mo" said Dowance.
"Ten, then. I'll give you tent"
Mr.. Wharton's hands were trembling
violently. Dorrance politely filled his
glass for him. He tossed it off eagerly.
Twenty" he pleaded att
"Whe-ewi' Darby whistled. 81 had
no IDEA the stakes were SO HlSn.
Mr.. Wharton heSitated; every mo-
ment was now of consequence. He slut
tered painfully.
''Fi-fif-ffty thousand" he managed
to say.
Dorrance rose and looked at his
watch. You have no security to offer
but your word'' he said YEARLY, land
| that is worthless"
Mr.. Wharton's jaw moved loosely, but
| no sounds came.
Moreover" Dorrance continued. 81
don't need your money, nor do / want
| it." 4
9TH have the law on you" Wharton
repeated sullenly; hope was dead in
his breast.
Il wouldn't if We're you. And you
will not. This is rather noisome bus
mess which. you've attempted-and
failed at; your credit would suffer were
it known. So, you will say nothing.
I'm happy to inform you that you're
too late. 1t is IL o'clock, and your ward
will be her own mistress in one hour"
Dorrance walked to the door and
gave an order. The engines began to
chug more slowly and the Beau Gal
liant came almost to a standstill. Mr..
| Wharton sputtered threats and obscen-
! tiles.
II believe you were right" said Dor
| rance to him; 1--WE do not desire your
put you ashore now
The four followed him.
THAT is Mobile" he said, indicating
a haze of light on the northern hori-
zon. There is a landing here and
fair road: by hard walking you should
reach it in the early morning. Thence
you can get ~home by noon If you're
lucky. But by that time Ruth and 1
will be married"
80. that's your game" Fetter
sneered. II thought you didn't care for
the money
MY dear sir said Dorrance, un-
moved, when you have associated
with decent people for any length of
time-if you ever do-your thoughts
may be of some consequence. At pres
ent your opinion is of absolutely no
moment"
The boat is ready. SIR man re-
ported. :
And now, gentlemen, thank you
for the pleasure which your company
has afforded me. O., not a word, sir
to Mr.. Wharton-"the obligation is en-
tirely on my side. Good evening" He
was bowling them over the side when
although struck him. 20, parson!
quite forgot; we may need your serv-
ices. Do not CO."
So the parson stayed-most willing
ly, 1t seemed to Darby And the Beau
bile, picked up her boat and steamed
swiftly back over her course
The dawn found the yacht swinging
laZily at anchor. Mr.. Dorrance came
on deck, refreshed by a bath and a
breakfast, yet With carkfng doubt for
a background to his thoughts. He re-
ceived an immediate impression that
all nature was chuckling in huge ems
joyment of his predicament. The Tilt
ing wavelets, tremulous with living
gold; the whirling, eddying breeze; the
deer, tender beauty of the sky, flecked
sparsley with shreds of mist; the far
reaches of the southern landscape, pail
pitant with the touch of spring, to him
all were laughing softly as at sue
cessful practical joke. Even the mock
ing birds were true to their reputation,
gleefully chatting him from the pines.
He leaned upon the rail, scowled and
lit a cigar, hurting complicated oaths
down at the careless sea.
Here, an hour later, the slothful OAR
by found him.
WELL" cried Darby genially, 'for
an expectant Bridegroom"
Dorrance favored him with a heavy
glare ~
Bridegroom he said slowly, "be
eternally-"
What! Why. but yesterday"
1 Was yesterday. To-day is another
| l.
THE lady hasn't sent word refusing
you?" anxioussly.
mo. that's just the trouble
Darby grinned blandly at the uni
verse.
Romance" he propounded, sis the
salt of life and its SAVIOR. Without it."
"One escapes the holy bonds of mat
rimony. Tom, without exception you
are the most unmitigated-" He broke
Off I'm going ashore and be over with
1t. Come along"
"I'n stand around oblivious at no
lovers tryst. You shall go along"
And to this he stuck. So that the
rest is only hearsay, but strongly sup
ported by circumstantial evidence
She was seated by the splashing
fountain when he met her. She did
not hear his footsteps, but sat idly
a Bottle Of