Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-06-16


was about to mount, when at the mo,
ment [ heard my name called.
Turning, | saw emerge from the
door of Gautier's little cafe, across
the street, the tall figure of an erst-
while friend of mine, Jack cambridge
Of Tennessee, credited with being the
youngest member in the house of rep
resentatives at Washington-and
credited with little else.
Jack cambridge, it may be said, was
originally possessed Of splendid con-
stitution. Nearly six feet tall, his full
and somewhat protruding eye was az
yet only a tri1e watery, his wide lip
only a trifle loose, his strong figure
only trifle pOrtly. Socially he had been
we'll received in our city and during
his stay east of the mountains he had
found occasion to lay desperate suit
to the hand of none other than Miss
Elizabeth Churchill We had been
rivals, although not enemies; for Jack,
finding which way the wind sat for
him, withdrew like man. and cher
ished no i'll will When | saw him
now, q sudden idea came to me, so
that l crossed the street at his invita-
ton.
Jack I exclaimed, grasping him
by the shoulder, you are the man
want. You are the friend that | need
the very one"
"Certainly, certainly" he sale; "but
please do not disarrange my cravat
Will you have a Dream with me?
construct them now with three addi
tional squirts Of the absinthe." Tie
locked his arm in mine.
you may have a Dream" said [;
"but for me, | need all my head to
day. In short, I need both our heads
as we'll"
Jack was already rapping with the
head Of his cane upon the table, to cali
an attendant, but he turned to me
what is the matter? Lady, this
time?"
Two Of them"
Indeed? One apiece, eh?"
"None apiece, perhaps. In any case
you lose
Then the names-or at least one?'
I flushed a bit in spite Of myself
you know Miss Elizabeth Churchill?'
He nodded grayely. And about the
other lady?'
Il cannot tell you much about her.
said |; Il have but little knowledge
myself. | mean the Baroness Won Ritz
| must be quick. | have in my pos
session-on the bureau in my little
room at my quarters in Browns hote'
"a slipper which the baroness gave
me last night-a white satin slipper"
Jack finished the remainder of his
glass at a gulp. Good God" he re
marked.
Quite right" retorted hotly. "Ac
cuse me! Anything you like! But
go to this address with it scraWled
on piece of paper and thrust it at
him-"then get carriage and hasten
to Elmhurst drive, where it turns in
at the road Wait for me there, just
before six"
He sat looking at me with amuse.
ment and amazement both upon his
face. as | went on:
Listen to what I am to do in the
meantime. First | go post-haste to
Mr. CalhOun's Office Then | am to
take his message, which will send RE
to Canada, tonight. After l have rly
orders | hurry back to Browns and
dress for my wedding"
The glass in his hand dropped 10
the floor in splinters.
Your Wedding?"
Yes, Miss Elizabeth and | COP
cluded this very morning not to wait
would ask you to help me as my
best man, if l dare"
you do dare" said he You're all
a-fiuster. Go on; I'll get a parson--
how'll DR.. Halford do?-and I'd take
care of the license for you if l could
Cad! sorry it's not my own"
You are the finest fellow in the
world, Jack 1 have only one thing
more to ask pointed to the splin-
tered glass upon the floor Don't
get another"
"Of course not, of course mott" he
expostulated. His voice was just a
er for the license clerk, and l intrusted
the proper document in my friends
hands. An instant later l was out.
side, mounted, and off for Calhoun's
office at his residence in Georgetown
At last, as for the fourth time ]
flung down the narrow walk aLd
looked down the street, saw his wela
known form approaching. He walked
slowly, somewhat stopped upon hie
cane. He raised hand as l would have
begun to speak. You will take the
railway train at eight You will b
joined by Dr.. Samuel Ward, who will
give you sealed paper, which will
contain your instructions and the
proper moneys. He goes as far as
Baltimore"
You would be the better agent"
he added presently, ''if this love sill;
ness were out of your head. 1t is no;
myself you are serving, and not my
Nay,txv ;c, tea.