The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-05
hand when the stage came over from
Iitytnr throa Iov-c lator

hand when the stage came over from
Buxton three days later.
Far down the trail the driver waved
his hat three times as a&ignal 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 tense moment when
the yelled figure descended from the
interior Of tie stage, but a murmui %
disappointment followed when = was
seen that heavy automobile veil was
impenetrabie.
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 off %
Dams shack before the camp fairly
realized that it was being robbed of
its fun.
ITS going to be curious when she
takes or that thsre VEIL" said Hen
ders. with sigh. "but it's darned
mean that we can't declare in on the
deal. sort of feel that I've been
cheated"
"Same here" chimed another voice.
and, though Coyell urged that there
Still would be plenty OF fun, he was
decidedly unpopular for HE moment
In an effort to ciSIge the humor of
the crowd he ipLi;A them over to the
BrinGke Pup tSnd Ney were still hav-
ilN; drinks at his d kpel when Dan
Betterley strobe in) and drew Coveil
to one side.
Took here" lie tsaid quietly, but
with ring, of determination in his
voice. Dora has been asking for 'Cous-
in Coyel.' and l Suppose that means
you. If it does, ydu are at the bot
tom Of this trick. II want to know
what 1t all means.V
cit was sort or joke" explained
Coyell. who did rst 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 n Cousin Ad5ra back east
who's been wanting to be married for
the last fifty years, so | thought Ia
make the whole lot OF YOU happy and
"Ard you did the writing" conclud-
ed Dan. "I7rom what Dora says
gather that there were a number Of
letters never saw. I-want them
From the saloon safe Covell extract.
ed the package Of letters and silently
turned them over to Betterley.
II suppose you know what the pun
ishment is for illegal use of the mais?"
be asked, raising his voice. "'I'hc Grst
hint from any one that reaches my
wife's ears TO the effect that she was
the victim Of rotten practical joke
will bring a postal inspect " here who
will see that you get what coming to
your
your wifew gasped Covell. "You
don't mean to say that you're going t.
marry that mummy"
Doesn't the fact that you are SIN
alive argue that?" asked Betterl2y.
1.-THE joke appears to be on you, Coveli
l fell in love with her photograph just
as Dora did with mine, and L was Well
content to make the match you so
amiably planned"
"She looks like that photograpi?"
asked Cevell gaspingly.
''It doesn't half do her justice de-
clared Betterley fondly. 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 Dedrick. and she received
the letters. She wants 10 see her
cousin, and if you dare hint anything
when you come up ZIP
"You won't have to-" said Covel
humbly. I've acted like hound
puppy, Dan. You needn't be afraid.
Pm only too glad the jokes been
switched"
"Same here" said Betterley, more
contentedly. You fellows come up to-
night. There's going to be double
wedding, for now Julia can marry
Wetton. You're a pretty good joker,
colonelv'
II amt no JOKER declared Covell,
with more emphasis than grammar.
I'm one Of them pretty pink Cupids
that they have OH valentines-and I'm
rather good at the job too"