The Morris County chronicle., 1910-05-31
CHAPTER I
u. THEN Casey told us he was
NAI going to be married we re-
wv mained moment in express
ni,x. ..1o-ao than 10 Eoy-


glesson spoke Randy often spoke
first and apologized afterwards.
''Who is the blithering idiot?"
Casey sat upright and replied with
dignity in spite Of the lint and feath-
ers ornamenting his hair, which was
also upright.
''I'll trouble you to remember, Fer
guesson, that you're speaking of a
lady. And of my wife. =
Prospective, murmured Starr,
who was very literal.
Casey continued to glare unap-
peased, and / hastily interposed.
But you haven't told us her name.
We want to go and see her, but we've
got to know where she lives"
Nov, that's awfully jolly in you,
old chap" Casey quite glowed with
gratitude. "Of course / want you all
to know her, for I expect you to be
at my house most of the time"
He spoke with confidence, and we
endeavored not to exchange glances.
We all owed Casey money, and he
owed each of us little more than
we owed him, so the easy familiarity
with which he referred to an estab-
lishment was rather staggering.
Meanwhile he continued, already sad
ly retrospective, after the manner of
prospective Benedicts.
''It will be wrench to break away
from you chaps, for it will make a
difference, of course. 1t always does. :"
We nodded and smoked gloomily.
After all, old Casey was good fell
low and we hated to hand him over
to a girl. Presently he spoke again,
quite husky with emotion:
"Jolly old dirty rooms! We've
had some bully times here
Again we nodded, and Starr re-
moved his pipe long enough to utter
a platitude:
Money is not everything"
perhaps not" said Ferguesson.
who hankered for the flesh-pots, "but
it comes close enough for fellow not
to take any chances when it's il
sight,
YES" said Casey simply; chats
what think"
We exchanged glances openly this
time, and our mental vision of the
establishment began to take brown
stone form, Involuntarily / straight
ened my tie and wondered how we
should all manage frock coats for a
noon wedding.
II suppose" I hazarded, well be
ushers, or something?"
Two of you ushers and the third
best man. Cut for best man-ace
low and low gets it,
He held out pack of cards and
we cut solemnly. Ferguesson got the
ace of spades, so Starr and I were re-
Iieved, though slightly jealous. Casey
had greatly increased in Importance
during the last few minutes.
well, Randy" he said. ''it's up to
you. But in view of what you said
a while ago don't know that you'll
care to accept"
Ferguesson became quite incoher-
ent in his protestations. and after
they had shaken hands several times
the incident was considered closed
"Shall we call together or one at
a time?" inquired Starr. "And be-
when?"
I'VE have only two tuxedos in the
bunch" remarked, "and one frock
coat that isn't shiny. We had better
hunt in couples at night-you and
Randy. Starr. / will go alone this
afternoon, plus top hat and frock
coat, eh?'
mo, you don't" objected Fergues-
son; "the best man gets first innings.
| go this afternoon, frock coat, top
hat, and white hrysanthemum.
TITS up to you, Casey" said Starr.
Which of us calls first on Miss-by
the way, what's her name?"
Il don't know" said Casey.
This was a facer, but we took it
calmly, and Starr inquired where she
lived.
II don't know that either"
See here, Casey" began, ''if
you've kidding US
II never was more serious in my
life. I'm going to be married"
Feel his pulse suggested Randy.
He seems rather feverish."
But Casey pushed him to one side
and began to explain. now and then
running his fingers through his al
ready rampant hair as he talked.
You see" he said earnestly,
something has got to be done. We
have arrived at crisis that must be
met. The money market is uncom-
monty tight. Mrs. Stubs is importu-
nate, and panic is imminent. When
do you expect another remittance,
Starr?D
Nothing doing. Overdrawn to the
limit. :
Starr was studying anatomy as,
taught in musical comedy as well as
at the medical school. and had al
ready become an authority in the
former branch of his chosen profess
sion. Meanwhile his father RENTED
regularly, although not 50 generously
as we could have wished
Casey turned to Ferguesson.
How about your last batch Of
manuscript. Randy? Are they all
in?"
Well, yes" admitted Ferguesson,
but one OF them had letter instead
OF the printed slip, so that is dis
tinct advance. And I'm working on
corker now-the most unusual situ-
ationi"