The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-05

ana ieaned against the mans Jaw
with a quick llrch he had learned
In college. He caught the other man
with stiff arm which sent him stag
gering across the passageway, his
hands cropping behind him to break
his fail
With dexterous twist of his body,
Tiliinghast threw himself inside the
stateroom and calmly bolted the door
on the pair of enraged ruff1ans Then
be stood with his back against the
door and calmly busted off the shout
der with which he had prodded the
first man
Meantime his gaze was fixed solemn
" on tableau in the larger room.
opening of the one in which he stood.
Evidently he was just in time.
Mime Flaubert was In the foreground,
her handsome face tense and her
bands clenched; she was glaring at
him, her mouth open as though an
angry flow of speech had been sud-
denly shocked back Tyson covered
beside her, while his little companion
stood before them, holding a book
and looking from one to the other,
worried frown furrowed through his
forehead. On heavily upholstered
Lounge spread large coarse French
woman. as though she had been
dropped there. her mouth open and
her awed eyes staring.
Hello. Tyson." called Tillinghast In
an even tone. Getting married."
Tyson. his fabby face gone pale,
looked up with beseeching eyes and
turned to Flaubert for an answer.
Yes, he ISL the Frenchwoman
ried shrilly At the same time tho
door at Tillinghast's back vibrated
with emphatic poundings from the
surprised guard.
Your family doesn't object, sup
lpose? querfed Tillinghast, In very
tired tone, as though complaining Of
the weather.
at doesn't matter any who OBJ
ljects!" screamed Flaubert. Hes Of
age"
/ Yes" smiled Tillinghast. II should
say you were both of age"
F9aubert caught In her breath IN
sharp hiss; her passion heightened her
color and made her all the more
charming, as she turned to the old
ldrab OF F'renchwoman, frozen on the
Lounge. and her tongue tripped lightly
lover mouthful Of voluble French.
"Oh, don't mind giving my pedigree
to your collapsed friend" said Til
linghast; adding, Cologne would be
more serviceable in reviying her"
Flaubert turned on him with a VI
cious CLEAN and a snarl died in her
throat as she Strengthened up. threw
back her head defiantly and, with a
smile that seemed to hurt her, turned
to the little man, who still stood
ibreathlessly shifting his weak eyes
from one to the other. and said: 60
ahead with the ceremony, Mr.. Tilling-
hast is quite harmless"
Il say, Tillinghast," drawled young
Tyson. rallying under this show Of
courage, you know, my dear fellow, a
man is really his own master; and If
Iyou wouldn't mind stepping outside.
we would like to complete this little
personal affair"
Surely" said Tillinghast suavely,
'fbut you can't object to my witness
ling your marriage?"
"Oh, II you put it on that ground.
you are quite welcome, replied the
other, pruning himself as though he
had said something very clever.
Then go ahead" commanded Flau-
Il bert, turning to the presiding shrimp,
who seemed worried over the pound
ling at the door, which had gradually
lessened.
Tillinghast watched as the man
brought out again the worn little
book, which he had furtiyely replaced
! In his pocket, and began reading the
short marriage form in use among
Justices OF the Peace.
The answers came in confident mono
syllabIes and Flaubert could not help
looking up exultingly as the Justice
Of the Peace paused before saying, y
now pronounce you man and wife.
At that instant Tillinghast stepped
forward and raised his hand. The
blood seemed suddenly squeezed from
Fiaubert's face, her eyes went wide
! and she moistened her lips as Tilling
hast interrupted In a lazy drawl:
II say, this thing has gone abou
far enough, you know" He looked di
rectly at the man officiating.
why? What's the matter?" cried
the flustered Justice in panicky tone
! looking up with his weak, fshy eye!
, to meet Tillinghast's direct gaze.
i Mime. Flora Flaubert is alread!
| married. said Tillinghast in as cas-
ual tone as though he had troubled
someone for 9, match.
"Henteur, CHEN hdrgneuT 2
screamed the fair Frenchwoman, ant
] her ford companion jumped to he
feet, shook her finger before Tilling
I hast.s nose, and hurled torrent 0
9 vile French expletiyes at him.
: Your charming French does not a.
,, ter the fact smiled Tillinghast, "an
! I'm quite sure you are firing you
! finger uselessly."
He stepped to little white pusl
button In the wall and held his finge
: on it for fully half minute, while al
, eyes in the room were fixed on his.
. 81 say, now" blurted Tyson, your
!. sure of this? How can you prove tina
she has been married before?"
q "I'll have proof here in minute.
) answered Tillinghast, as a knock cam
i at the door
o rs that a steward?" queried Tilline
hast. Receiving satisfactory answer
i he went on: Request the Fourt
' officer to send down the lady who