Evening star., 1909-05-09

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Farralon wilted well, | guess Ill get
what's coming to me this time, he said, grim
ming feeby.
mo, you won't You'll escape on Miss
Wlster's account. I've got it all fixed. AS
soon you after the ceremony. you and
your wife are to go up stairs. Say you re going
to leave in the hack at the door in half an hour
and drive by way of the Houston-st ferry to
Hoboken. Then get up to the roof, come back
here just as you are. and III give you your IN
structions.
But my trunks, and Kitty's, my clothes,
and everything
Everything is ready in that furniture van
at the door. Now hurryl You've wasted
two minutes!'
FARRALON darted across the roof at reckless
speed. aAstro watched with lingering
smile, till the lantern disappeared over the
edge of the roof of the third house beyond.
Then he descended into the house again. Val
by candlelight in rear room up stairs.
" Is everything ready!" he asked
She burst out laughing There's brides
going-away costume for youl' she exclaimed,
holding, up a blue giingham skirt; a purple
checked blouse. and bandana kerch1ef.
We'll, be prepared for the quick change,
then. I'll go up on the roof and be ready to
help the bride down. !"
HE had begun to be anxious by the time the
hour before he saw the light of the lantern as
the happy pair aRProaeehed eameerng shah lightly
and the two came up laughing.
They laughed as she stumbled down the
ladder; they roared as-Astro with the bride
groom in the front room, and Valeska with the
bride in the rear-the pair changed their clothes
for the emlgrant costumes that were ready.
Then down stairs they went, Astro carrying
two large suitcases filled with the wedding
IL x1a he cfn nd
went to the window to reconnolter. The
Brigham automobile was still standing at the
curb near to the hack which was fairly white
with ribbons and bridal flags.
Take this chair now. said Astro.
Farralon took one end Of Morris chair and
Mrs Farralon the other. There was no one
on the sidewalk at this end of the block, though
a crowd was collected in front of the Wister
residence. preparing for the tun OF throwing
rice and old shoes. The couple were unnoticed
as they lifted the chair into the van and then
climbed in themselves. The two teamsters
followed with the suitcases, and in another
minute the van was safely off, Astro and
Va1eska waved a discreet adieu behind the
shutters of the empty house.
Astro took from his pocket check for
thousand dollars and handed it to Valeska. Il
think deserve more credit than the clergy
man." he said But now we must follow
them and see how it all comes out !"
THE members of the Pi Ro Nu had hurried
to the ferry as soon the grooms escape
was suspected They roamed all over the
boat, passing the furniture van several times
in their search.
AS soon as the boat was in the slip the gay
fraternity hurried to the pier where the Caro-
THAN lay with steam up Here brass band
was in readiness to serenade the couple. The
fraternity swarmed aboard the steamer and
pushed their quest evervwhere-save into the
third class cabin, where the bridal couple, dis
guised as steerage passengers, sat and laughed
till the gangpank was raised Then Astro and
Valeska near the baff1ed members of the crest
fallen Pi Ro Nu. awaited the denouement.
Just before the last line was cast off, the
couple, dressed perfectly now appeared at the
rail of the promenade deck waving their hand
kerchiefs merriy. A shout went up from the
Pi Ro NJ.
Stringer, who was standing near Astro.
turned to his companion We'll" he said
" they fooled US, after all. But when he gets in
to his stateroom it'll look like small grain
elevator. There's good ton of rice OF the
floor and in the mattresses He'll get his on
the way across! Hooray for the Pi Ro Nul"
And Valeska smiled as if she was pleased,
after all
The next Seer OF Secrets story, The Lady in
Tope," aUiH appear May 20