The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-12
BEWARE THE BENEDICTS!
By H. NJ. Kerner.

The new Mrs wolcott regarded Billy Bevan distrustfully. Not until the train had pulled out and she had sent her newiy acquired husband forward to the baggage car to remove excess baggage in the shape of white satin streamers from their trunks would she feel safe. Billy Bevan was only happy when playing jokes He was happiest when his victims were bridal couples.
 Suddenly Bevan snapped a handcuff upon her husbands wrist and was drawing the bride and groom together with mocking till death do thee part" when he felt the cold steel on his Own wrist and heard the fatal click. He, not the bride. was hand cuffed to wolcot'.
 T say" he cried protestingly. This is not fair"
 You can unlock yourself in time to leave at the next station" said wolcott. "It's poetic justice. Billy"
 "Its confoundedly unpleasant" Billy retorted You see, I did not get the key; never supposed that I should need one. I just could see you going to the hotel and asking that pitcher of ice water and 6 policeman be sent to your room"
 This is the better joke" smiled Wolcott. Tt will teach you that marriage is some- thing which to hang fool jokes Let's go ahead to the smoking car. We will be less conspicuous there than here"
 Arm in arm they made their way to the cafe car, but once ethere wolcott dropped Bevan's wrist and let the cuff show.
 They immediately became the center of attention. One man. more courious than the 
 he asked. The bridegroom regarded Bevan with a benevolent smile.
 He Is a prisoner of his own making" wolcott explained. HThe jail yawns for him. but 1t is more likely to be the insane asylum that finally comes into its own.'
 "I see." grinned the questioher You're that bridal couple three cars back"
 T am part of that happy pair" conceded Wolcott, but this is not the partner of my joys and sorrows. He simply shares my sor- rows at the present time"
 You're sharer all right" agreed Bevan with a chuckie. There's is some consola- tion in that. Think of poor Bess back there in the chair car all alone"
 ''She would rather be rid of us" said Wolcott commercially. Tt is all your own fault Billy. I begged you not to try any of your fool tricks. Beware of the bene- diets. Billy. They will all pay you back some day when your neck goes under the matrimonial yoke"
 The lady says to come on back and bring your friend" reported the whitecoat- ed porter. There's a seat next yours he can get'
 Bevan's eyes snapped. He could make things interesting back in the chair car. But his amible intentioon to turn the joke on his involuntary host was checked. for a dapper little man stepped forward.
 Permit me-" he said. T am 8 hand cuff magician. q can take those off if you wish"
 Then he'll go ranting through the train,' said Woicott. I'd rather have him where can watch him"
 No. 1t will be all right" said the magician as he threw a handkerchief over the cuffs. A click and Wolcott withdrew his hand rubbing his chafed wrist. Bevan attempted to do the same but when the handcuff king removed the cloth it was seen that the cuff had been slipped around the arm of Bevans chair.
 You wish him released at the next stat ion?" asked the magician.
 Better carry him to Presbry." said Vol colt. He has some friends there"
 Bevan groaned Grace coburn lived at Presbry. If any one should detect his plight and tell her. He shook his free fist after Wolcott's retreating form
 At Presbry Wolcott came up just as the first cuff was unfastened from the chair.
 Let him keep the other. he suggested He seems so fond of them 1t would be a shine to remove them"
 Quite so.' agreed the magician. 'Mon- seur is too fond of a joke to let this ter minate so abruptly? Is 1t not so?" see her" called Wolcott as Bevan made for the door. Bevan breathed prayer that he would not see her. but as he stepped to the platform, she came toward him with sparkling eyes.
 Why didn't you let us know that you were comtpg?" she cried as she shook hands.
 T didn't know 1t myself" he explained You see was carried off while was say ing good-by to Ted Wolcott and Bess, so came on for a call"
 I'm glad you did" she said smilingly Its too bad I did not know that Bess was on the train. I came to see May Lewis off Oh! have you hurt xpur wrist. Billy?"
 "A little." he admitted lamely. scowljng at the handkerchief bandage around the or- lending cuffs "I'll tell you about 1t as we drive out"
 He followed her over to the dog cart
 That was very careless she scolded. You must have hurt your wrist"
 Its not my wrist that hurts; it's my feelings "eh bagan. When he had explained his plight he added: Bert was hoping were" he ended miserably..
 Are you sorry that I was?" she demand ed
 Sorry? Not bit of 1t, only man feels such fool"
 If you ever marry, what lot of back scares there will be to be pid off.
 Yes. Ted was telling me to beware of the benedicts No girl would want to marry man that will get the sendoff that's in preparation for me"
 if she could not stand a little teasing for your sake" she said softly.
 "A little teasing" he echoed. Why. they are lible to wreck the train to get sqcare. How would you like"
 There's a blacksmith shop just ahead" she said hurriedly to change the topic. T guess he could cut that cuff
 The blacksmith could and did.
 That lets you out of a scrape." Grace said when they were under way again clared. 'I-well I've been trying for months to get up my courage to ask you to marry me. dear I think you know that I love you. I know that you love me or you was in. Do you think. dear, that you love me enough to say 'Yes?'
 T think I can grave even the benedlcts ' she answered shyly.