Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-01-27

hand when the stage came over from
Buxton three days later.
Far down the trail the driver waved
lis hat three times as a signal that
the bride had arrived, and they were
all lined up about the front of the
hotel where they could watch Ben and
his sister without being SO near that
he might suspect something.
There was q tense moment when
the veilel figure descended from the
interior of the stage. but murmur Of
disappointment followed when it was
seen that heavy automobile veil was
impenetrable.
Dan came forward, and the arrival
turned to him. He led her up to his
sister. and the three climbed into the
Betterley blackboard and were or to
Dams shack before the camp fairly
realized that 1t was being robbed Of
its fun.
Its going to be curious when she
takes of that there VEIL" said Hen
ders, with sigh. "but it's darned
mean that we can't declare in on the
deal. l sort Of feel that I've been
cheated"
'Same here" chimed another voice.
and. though Covep urged that there
still would be plenty of fun, he was
decidedly unpopular for the moment.
In an effort to change the humor Of
the crowd he invited them over to the
Brindle Pup, and they were still hav-
ing drinks at his expense when Dan
Betterley strobe in and drew Covell
to one side.
"Look here" he said quietly. but
with ring of determination In his
voice. "Dora has been asking for Cous-
In Coveil.' and suppose that means
you. If 1t does, you are at the bot
tom Of this trick. want to know
what 1t all means"
ut was a sort Of joke" explained
Covell. who did not appear to be
greatly enjoying the "joke." "Some
Of the boys thought that you ought
to be married, SOS Julie could marry
Howard Wetton. and I remembered
that had q Cousin Adora back east
who's been wanting to be married for
the last fifty years, 80 I thought I'd
make the whole lot Vt you happy and
"And you did the writing" cooclud-
ed Dan. "From what Dorm says I
gather that there were a number Of
letters I never saw. want them"
From the saloon safe Covell extract
ed the package Of letters and silently
turned them over to Betteriey.
II suppose you know what the pun
ishment Is for Illegal use Of the mailsT
he asked, raising his voice. "The first
hint from any one that reaches my
wife's ears to the effect that she was
the victim Of q rotten practical joke
will bring a postal inspector here who
will see that you get what's coming to
your
Your wife, gasped Covell. '"You
don't mean to say that you're going to
marry that mummy"
Doesn't the fact that you are still
alive argue thatT asked Betterley.
"The joke appears to be on you. COyeli
1 fell in love with her photograph just
as Dora did with mine, and was well
content to make the match you SO
amiably planned"
"She looks like that photograph
asked Cevell gaspingiy.
ut doesn't half do hes Justice" de-
clared Betterley f0ndly. "The Adora
Dedrick that you have been CORE
spending with became Mrs. Henry
Sprague some ten years ago. This
Adora is her niece. her brothers child,
named after her. She was the only
Miss Adora DERRICK. and she received
the letters. She wants to see her
cousin, and If you dare hint anything
when you come up I'll"-
"You won't have to-" said Coveli
humbly. "I've acted like a hound
puppy, Dan. You needn't be afraid.
I'm only too glad the jokes been
switched"
Same here" said Betteriey. more
contentediy. "You fellows come up to-
night There's going to be double
wedding, for now Julia can marry
Wetton. You're pretty good joker,
coloneiw
II amt no JOKER" declared Coyell.
with more emphasis than grammar.
"Tm one of them pretty pink Cupids
that they have on valentines-and I'm