The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-18
ers. OF course it will take a little
time to write to them"

ers. OF course it will take a Htts
time to write to them"
DO" echoed Felix 81 am going to
get preacher and be married at
once"
Get married if you WILL" g-owled
Asberry, "but Nan is going back to
Chicago with me cn t,le next train,
which leaves, l believe, just two hours
hence"
'1ll never do It," walled Nan, sitting
Down and u:yilg Eer face in her
hands.
"Of course not Well b. married
and l defy you 20 prevent it," Felix
g,ared at Asberry. -. '
Now, Felix" Interrupted Mr.. Whip
pie, "are you quite sure that would
be for the best? Had you not better
wait till we get absolute proof?"
Proof nothing" snapped Felix.
Mans word is enough" Nan slowly
rose and went over to Asberry.
Dear Charles" she cooed, throwing
her arms about his neck 81 am so
glad you have found me at last"
Whipple sprang out of his chair. Nan
laid her curly head on Asberry's shoul-
der.
1T has been so long," she MUIR
INJURED. 81 remember it all now. l ran
away from school ard we were mar
ried. Then i see us living together
in that dear little fat. The rest is a
blank
Nan gasped her father. Take
your hands off that man. Do you hear
me?" But Mans voice ran evenly on.
1--WE will go back there, won't we,
Charles? Only you won't leave me
alone so much. like you used to-"
Whipple's eyes seemed starting out
of his head. Striding forward, he
grasped Nan by the arm, and shouted
into her ear:
Man, Nan, are you crazy?"
Not in the least" she replied, quiet
ly, turning from Asberry. only re-
member everything now"
But you've nothing to remember"
snorted Whipple, you never saw that
man before" Z
Nan tripped into the house without
replying. There was little silence,
and they heard her returning. She
was gazing fondly at something which
she held in her hand.
Look" she cried, extending it to
her father. when he put my picture
in his watch he gave me this beautiful
little watch with his picture in it. l
have treasured it all these years"
Whipple took it with hands that
shook
1T is Asberry's picture" he conced
ed, however you come to have it. But,
Nan, you never saw this man before.
This whole thing is joke, a joke, do
you hear, one of my practical jokes.
wanted to test Felix's affection. l
met this man in Dallas while back
and he agreed to play the part, and l
supplied him with your picture. You
are not married"
"If it is a joke" replied. Nan, cool
ly, you happened to find the right
man."
In the silence that followed, Felix
came forward.
do you believe this?" he asked
Whipple. ~-1
Il suppose I'll have to- was the
weary reply. ...
do you call it fair test of a mans
affection for his betrothed, or fa-
theirs, for his daughter, to give him
absolute proof of a thing?"
What do you mean?" demanded
Whipple.
do you call it unfair to turn a joke
on an inveterate practical joker?'
Whipple glanced keenly at the three.
They were laughing in unison.
What does this mean?" he choked
"Only this" explained Felix, that.
as Nan said a while ago, you found
the right man. He was an old friend
of mine. We let you have your fun
with us, then we had ours with you.
And, as a reward for the way he
played his part, he is going to be my
best man."