Gilpin observer., 1913-05-22
IN DEFAULT OF BRIDE
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE.


Stamford did not look q day over nine
teen in his light fannels as he ram
nimbly up the veranda steps Of tho
Etheridge home and pressed the cleo
tric bell button.
The door few open simultaneously
and stolid-visaged parsonage in liv-
cry stood confronting him.
'Is Miss Etheridge in? I wish to-
see her at once. If possible!"
A minute passed and the butler re-
turned, bearing slip of paper
across the back Of which was scrawled
in hasty hand: Dear Dick: Z
am, unfortunately, too Ill to leave my
room. Can you not, just as WE'LL
communicate with me through Char
ley?"
Young Stamford was in a quandary.-
Decidedly nothing could be done with
out the cooperation of Miss Ether
edge in person, and time was flying.
Tell Mr. Charley to come down i'm
mediately,' he said.
When Charley Etheredge appeared
in response to this summons he found
Stamford pacing restlessly up and
down the long hallway.
THE fact of the matter is, Ether
edge" he began at once, my uncle
is dying. He has always had his
heart set on D. on my marriage
with your sister. For some unex-
planned and inexplicable reason, her
chooses to fancy at this late day that
one of US will draw back from our
engagement because of the delay The
bulk Of his property, as you have
rd hoe uyfI1 Cd 70 tho
specified condition of our marriage
He paused and drew from his pocket
the small. unmistakable yellow en-
velope. And now, the worst of it is,'''
he pursued anxiously, 'he has but a
few hours to live, and sends this tele-
gram at the eleventh hour: If your
are not married before the breath
leaves my body-at my very bedsides
will shall be changed"
Etheredge pondered a second and
looked up with daring inspiration i'm
his eyes. Il have it," he cried. Sup
pose what If I might rig out in
some of my sisters toggery and go ON
with your"
Capital" exclaimed Stamford
Get ready as soon as you can; we've
precious little time to squander."
Inside Is minutes Etheredge was
''rigged OUT in one of his sisters.
smartest gowns, with a great loose
coat to hide his figure. The daintiest-
of French togues surmounted his curl--
ing. blonde hair.
| Together they entered a coupe anGl
drove rapidly away.
Five minutes brought them to the
| Cnntra1 rroti in, mi
to purchase tickets and board the east
bound train.
A drizzling rain had set in by the
time they reached Springfield, and thez
night was pitchy. They were met and
ushered Immediately into the sick
mans chamber, where a strange
priest, lawyer. and one or two serv--
ants as witnesses were already as
sembled.
Half an hour passed, and the dark
ened sick room became the chamber
Of death. The newly welded coupler
fingered for a solemn moment, then
silently left the room to prepare for
the return journey.
Katherine Stamford entered tha
parlor with some trepidation. Ether
edge was standing before an OPEN
window looking out into the street..
but at the sound of her step hes
turned and came forward WIKI OUT
stretched hand.
$50 good of you to come" she said,
placing her fingers In his; I'VE haven
been waiting and wishing for an op--
portunity to thank you for the royal
way in which you came to Dicks.
assistance"
Etheredge smiled and caught her
other hand in his. crushing them to-
gether In both his own. And how
about you, Kate?" he asked. laugh
ing suddenly into the tell-taIe eyes
raised to his. :;
Katherine turned away swiftly. Ia
hide the burning food Of crimsdnIon
cheek, neck and brow -
mo need to deny II, dearest. Thank
heaven luck was the means of bring
ing to me what no amount of plesd-
ing could"
How did you guess! thought
was sure" /
THAT that himsy disguise Of yourp
. was perfect? Never. with me. Be-
cause l love you. neither wiz, nor
clothes. nor the startling resemblance
you bear to your twin brother coulds
avail one iota to deceive me- Be-
, sides." he went on. II happened to,
know that old Dick was hundreds or
miles away when that telegram.
came"
But Charley. that marriage was all
q sham; the proper parties are to be.
married In two weeks. It-our-csn--
not really count, you know"
1t did, however. for q fortnight.
lxter there was double wedding at
2t paupo =