The Washington herald., 1913-09-28

He caught the other man with stiff
arm which sent him staggering across
the passageway, his hands cropping be-
hind him to break his fall.
With a deXterous twist Of his body,
Tillinghast threw himself inside the
stateroom and calmly bolted the door on
the pair of enraged ruffians. Then he
stood with his back against the door and
calmly busted off the shoulder with
which he had prodded the first man.
Meantime his gaze was fixed solemnly
on tableau in the larger room. opening
of the one In which he stood. Evidently
he was just in time.
Nine. Flaubert was in the foreground,
her handsome face tense and her hands
clenched; she was glaring at him. her
mouth open as though an angry flow OF
speech had been suddenly shocked back.
Tyson covered beside her. while his lit
tie companion stood before them, holding
a book and looking from one to the 9TH
er, a worried frown furrowed through his
forehead. On a heavily upholstered
lounge spread a 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 flabby face gone pale, looked
up with beseeching eyes and turned to
Flaubert for an answer.
Yes. he is"' the Frenchwoman cried
shTilIy. At the same time the door at
TilIinghast's back vibrated with emphatic
poundings from the surprised guard.
Your family doesn't object, l sup
poser queried Tnlinghast, in a very
tired tone, as though complaining of the
weather.
;'It doesn't matter any who objects!"
screamed FIaubert Hes OF age"
Yes" smiled .Tininghast. Il should
say YOU were both of age"
Flaubert caught in her breath in a
sharp hiss: her passion heightened her
color and made her all the more charm
ing, as she turned to the old drab of a
French woman. frozen on the lounge, and
her tongue tripped lightly over a mouth
full of vOIuble French
"Oh, don't mind giving my pedigree TO
your collapsed FRIEND said Tillinghast:
adding, Cologne would be more service
able in reviving her"
Flaubert turned on him with vicious
CLEAN and a snarl died in her throat
as she Strengthened up, threw back her
head defnantly and, with a smile that
seemed TO hurt her. turned to the little
man, who still stood breathlessly shifting
his weak eyes from one to the other,
and said: Go ahead with the ceremony.
Mr. TiIlinghast is quite harmless"
II say. Tillinghast," drawled young Ty-
son, rallying under this show of courage,
YOU know, my dear fellow, a man is
really his own master; and IL you
wouldn't mind stepping outside, we would
like to complete this little personal
affair"
Surely" said Tillinghast suavely, but
you can't object to my witnessing Your
MARRIAGE
"Oh. if 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 Flaubert
turning to the presiding shrimp. who
seemed worried over the pounding at the
door, which had gradually lessened-
Tillinghast watched as the man brought
out again the worn little book, which he
had furtively replaced in his pocket, and
began reading the short marriage form
in use among justices of the peace
The answers came in confident mono
syIlables and Flaubert could not help
looking up exultingly as the justice of
the peace paused before saying Il now
pronounce you man and wife"
ward and raised his hand. The blood
seemed suddenly squeezed from Flau-
bert's face, her eyes went wide, and she
moistened her lips as Tillinghast inter-
Iupted in a lazy drawl:
''I say, this thing has gone about far
enough, you know" He looked directly
at the man officiating.
why? What's the matter?' cried the
fiustered justice in a panicky tone, look
Tillinghast's direct gaze
Mime Flora Flaubert is already mar
ried." said Tillinghast in as casual tone
as though he had troubled some one for a
match.
''Menteur, Chen hargneuN"' screamed
the fair Frenchwoman. and her florid
companion jumped to her feet, shook her
finger before Tillinghast's nose, and
hurled a torrent Of vile French expletives
at him.
Your charming French does not alter
the fact" smiled Tnlinghast, and I'm
quite sure you are firing your finger
uselessly.''
He stepped to a little white push but
ton in the wall and held his finger on it
for fully half a minute, while all eyes
In the room were fixed on his.
Il say. now" blurted Tyson, you're
sure of this? How can you prove that
she has been married before?"
TN have proof here in a minute an
swered Tillinghast, asa knock came at
the door.
rs that a steward" queried Tilling-
hast. Receiving a satisfactory answer,
he went on: Request the fourth offfcer
to send down the lady who is waiting for
Mr.. Tillinghast."
Nine. Flora Flaubert, outraged, was
holding an animated conversation with
the frowsy Frenchwoman, and Tyson was
talking to the Justice of the peace.
In a minute there came a double knock
on the door and TilIinghast opened it to
admit a veiled lady, and announce, with
an Introductory gesture:
Miss Macarthur
The woman threw her veil back and
smiled first TO Tyson and then to Flau-