The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-05-30
Two Fights
For a Bride
Also Two Wedding
Journeys
BY OSCAR COX

ready to welcome the first summer
visitor when the first summer visitor
came down upon him with a rush. She
was a young lady about twenty years
of age mounted on a horse whose eyes
were aflame. nostrils wide open and
| sides covered with foam. Dashing UP
to where Murdoch stood. she looked al
the open door of the inn as IL expecting
some u to come out to meet her,
Not seeing any one, she fred a volley
Of questions at the landlord:
els there a gentleman here waiting
for met"
"No'm."
"Has he been hereT'
Nom"
"Have you had any word from hin? p
Nom"
Then I am undone."
Murdoch stood gaping at her. Pres.
emily she spoke to him again:
Are you married."
"No'm."
would you have any objection to
marry meY
II wouldn't be ft."
"Never mind that. Answer my ques.
tion."
Really married."
Eyes, really married, but not to live
with me. No; you won't do. Go find
me a husband"
She gave him her hand that he might
help her of her horse. threw the rein
over a hitching post and directed him
to bring any man in the place who
vas not married, together with a par.
son, IL he could find one. and be quick
about 1t. She would give the groom
$500. While speaking she kept looking
up the road in the direction from which
she had come, and when she had fin.
ished she listened.
The landlord put on his hat to go
across lots to a house where he knew
of a single man that needed money
badly. Those were the days when
everybody ''biked." and a young fell
low got up in a short coat. knicker.
hockers and wooden stockings came
pedaling along the road.
II say. young fellow" said the land,
lord. ARE you married."
mo"
Would you like to make some mon.
ey that way?"
"What way"
"By marrying a girl"
what girl?"
"she's right over there at my house
Come and have a look at her"
II don't mind"
The landlord went back by the short
cut to the house. and the biker ped
aled there by the road. The young
lady was out on the porch staring up
the road. Turning. she saw the land.
lord andythe bicyclist coming.
Hurry up" she called.
This young man the landlord be.
gan.
Eyes. 1 know. Where's the parson?'
'I'll get him as soon as"-
Get him now. Don't waste a mo.
ment. Oh. dear! I'm afraid we'll be
too late"
The landlord hurried away again.
The girl turned toward the young man.
you're going to marry me. and I'll
pay you $500 for doing It,"
Not without some show of an ex-
planation."
I'VE can't be married till the parson
comes. so I'll give you what you ask.
I'm an? orphan. Ny guardian managed
to. get hold Of me after fathers death
and tried to persuade me to marry
him. I've been his prisoner for
months. / have been told that as a
married woman I'll have a better
chance to fight him under the law.
and I want a husband to protect me-
that is. I wanted one and expected to
meet one here. but he has disappointed
me. Ny guardian has doubtless dis.
covered my escape and Is liable to be
here at any moment. Hist. Is that
wheels? No. When be comes ! wish
to be wife. and I hope you'll have
the pluck to prevent his dragging me
back to that horrid"-
She stopped short. seeing the land
lord coming with a man In white neck
tie. ~
Come inside: she added!
The four Of them went inside. Then
the groom to be said:
"I'm ready to help you out Of a
scrape. but not for pay. And I insist
on signing away any claim to what
You possess before the marriage"
well. hurry up
.Give me writing materials
The landlord pointed to the Office
counter. where there were pens aud
paper. and the young man signed away
the girls fortune. Then he stood up
beside her. and they were married. The
groom lifted his brides hand to his
lips Inn cOnrtly manner and kissed II.
Are you q gentleman?. she asked
with some surprise.
Don't 4 look ike orieF7.
:.eNot in those clothes. You under
sStood. didn't you. before the ceremony.
that aIl3I wantsof you s TO set rid Of
my guardiana W. are3 not To- i've n
sgether.ss ss /
tCertainlyn ot.
:s0h. heayens! Here he8comes.