The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-08-03

"Oh dear" she said, "can you ever
forgive us? We had to do it, Aunty,
indeed we did. for Stanford and I
just couldn't wait any longer to be
married. and you would have inter-
fered. He told me all about ii, and
1 knew he wasn't the BERTHE Starr You
thought him. So I didn't marry any
impostor after all. And, dearest
Aunty. we went to Boston right away
by train to meet you; we were at the
dock in a hack when the boat came
in. but Stanford said Mr.. Ferguesson
was taking such good care of you that
we we're not needed. Thank you so
much. Mr.. Ferguesson, for all your
trouble"
She smiled graciously, and Randy
smiled also; he never could resist the
Establishments of a pretty woman,
and Mildred was certainly very lovely
as she tried to explain the outrageous
performance of her newly acquired
husband.
I'm so sorry about everything,'
she continued, including us all in
her apologize glance. you see,
we were so happy together, we never
thought about anybody else. And of
course we didn't read the newspapers
on our honeymoon-who does? At
the hotel We registered as Mr.. and
Mrs. Arthur Smith, for Stanford said
he thought it would be sweet to be
lost to the world for just a few days,
and I thought so too. But we never
for a minute forgot you, dear Aunt
Harriet, did we, ~Stanford?"
Not for an instant" he corrobor-
ated solemnly.
And last night, Aunty, for the
first time, Stanford read a newspaper
and he saw there was a warrant out
for his arrest for killing you-just
think how horrid! So we consulted
about it and I said we ought to go
right away to the Fremont House and
get you in the flesh. We went there
instead of going to the theatre as we
expected, and Stanford got out and
looked through the crack of the door,
watching for you and Mr.. Fergues-
SON.
Il saw him." remarked Julie
Schuyler, land oh! how 1 wanted to
get hold of him"
1--WE had hired a red touring car
for a week." resumed Mildred, land
I sat in it and waited while he
watched. Suddenly he rushed out
and said he was being followed"
1T was you, Billy" interpolated
Starr, land there was blood in your
eye. I didn't trust youi So I shout
ed to the chauffeur to take us to, the
station and leave us there, but we
got caught in that crush. I jumped
out and Mildred came too, and We
went the rest of the way on foot.
Just as we got to the station the
New York train was called and we
decided to come home. That's ALL"
Not quite ALL" said Mildred. "a
dreadful thing happened to me. !
lost my wedding ring"
"Ill get you another" promised
Starr. But his bride shook her head
sadly.
1T won't be the same at all. No
other could ever take its place. You
see," she explained, turning to Nancy
for sympathy, lit was too large and
l dropped it. Stanford stepped on
it and mashed it out of shape so
we tied it in the corner of my hand
kerchief until we could go to a jew
eller and get it Strengthened out.
Now I've lost handkerchief and all.
I'm Ire it's a bad omen, and I'm
very unhappy about it."
l fumbled in my pocket and pro"
duced the handkerchief I had found
in the motor the previous night, with
its little crushed ring in the corner.
Cheer up" I said; you won't be
troubled by any omens at ALL" and
handed it to her with a flourish.
While We were all talking at once,
each going over different experiences
and much inclined d view everything
in the light of a huge joke, now it was
safely over, a shadow darkened the
doorway. and Nancy looked up. She
gave a little shrek and stopped abb
ruptly, while Julie Schuyler laughed
outright.
1t was Casey in the door-Casey,
grim and forbidding of aspect, his
hair even more rampant than usual,
and bearing in his hands the black
bag Aunt Harriet had left in her cab,
and which had been the root Of all
evil as far as I was concerned.
I'm afraid I intrude," said Casey,
with austere arcasm
He got nc further, for as though
moved by a simultaneous impulse
Starr and Ferguesson rushed to him
and seized his hands.
You'll make your home with us,
old fellow" cried Starr; I'VE have
it all settled"
Randy moved Casey's u~nresponsiVe
arm up and down as though vigor-
ously pumping.
mo, indeed he said; "old Casey
belongs to us-eh, Julie?"
woke to the plan of campaign and
approved it.
Where do we come in?" I inter-
rupted, taking possession of his
thumb. which was the only spot avail