Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

dentially. you seem like a pretty nice
young couple, and l amt one to spoil
sport. II you want to skin out just as
you are now, inside Of sixty seconds,
l don't know but l might-look the
other way, see?"
I'VE don't wish anything Of the
kind" said Miss Evangeline haughtily.
The young man merely stared; he
was evidently preparing speeches for
her father. Tom edged toward the
door,
well, dunno as need to wait,
then. Family rows is for the family
only. say. done my job, and"
Hold up" commanded the young
man. Il wish you to stay. Here!"
Three swift steps had taken Tom to
the front door. He clutched it open
and nearly landed in the arms of Miss
Evangeline's mother and father. Their
portly presence left no loophole, even
for the thinnest. Directly behind him
was the young man, cutting off pas
sage to the dining-room window. Tom
clutched at his nerve and jerked out
a bow.
Thought I'd save you finding your
key, sir" he said. Il done my job
but the young folks is pretty mad"
When it comes to shadowing US
with a detective, sir" the young man
began imposingly; then temper over
threw diction. I'm hanged if I'll
stand for it," he burst out.
detective? Are you crazy?" he ex
claimed.
Tom fell back a step toward the
dining-room. "Oh. II you want to 60
back on me, sir, amt nothing to say
But stopped this here elopement and
I've earned my pay. I'll call for it to-
morrow"
He achieved another step. Mr..
Whittimore seemed short of breath.
"Elopement? Detective? Good
God, Vangy, l never hired detective
in my life. It's some internal blum.
der!"
We'll, here he is." said Miss Evan
geline coldly. III you will let US get
married, we'll overlook it. Other
| wise"
She drew herself up, and Tom
achieved another step. The old gen.
tleman's temper began to show signs
| of wear.
Marry any one you please! But
for mercy's sake don't say L"
A scuffe and a crash interrupted.
| A whirling heap on the floor resolved
| itself into Tom Patterson on his back,
| with Miss Evangeline's lover kneeling
on his chest. hand at his throat.
Sorry to make a row." apologized
| the young man breathlessly, but l
caught on just in time. He's a sneak
thief"
you seem to be "a fairly up-and-
coming young fellow" stammered Mr..
Whittimore.
Look here, Mr.. Whittimore, "
broke in Tom peaceably. you don't
want all this in the papers"
"All what, you scoundrel?"
"Elopement in the Four Hundred
| Miss Evangeline Whittimore, daughter
of-see? Now you got the swag, you
| got the girl; what more d'you want?
Outside police court, amt likely to
talk. You think about it."
His captors did think about it, with
dismayed faces. The two women on
the stairs exchanged Mortified glances.
Mr.. Whittimore pinched his chin,
scowled, sighed, then nodded heavily.
Slowly and reluctantly, the last pocket
emptied, the young man arose from
Toms chest.
Two minutes later Mr.. Thomas Pat
terson. hurrying through the dark,
smiled to himself as he inserted care
full fingers into remote crevasse Of
his structure, where the contribution
from Mr.. Whittimore's desk still
lurked in a compact wad. .
They didn't know ] had that" he
reflected, "but ! guess I'll keep it for
hush money. Two hundred dollars is
more'n that young dude earns in an
evening, anyhow" Il.
copyright. Frank a. MunssJ Ool