Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-06-05
IN DEFAULT OF BRIDE:
By NELLIE CRAvEY GILMORE.

Stamford did not look a day over nine
teen in his light hannels az he ran
nimbly up the veranda steps of the
Etheridge home and pressed the cleo |
trio bell button.
The door flew open simultaneously !
and q stolid-visaged parsonage In liv.
cry stood confronting him.
''ls Miss Etheridge In? wish TO
see her at once, II possble!" /
A minute passed and the butler re-
turned, bearing a slip of paper
across the back Of which was scrawled
In O hasty hand. Dear Dick: /
am, unfortunately, too Ill to leave my
room. Can you not, just as well. !
communicate with NE 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 inexplcable reason, he
chooses to fancy at this late day that
Of wi
engagement because of the delay. The
bulk Of his property, as you have
heard, has been willed to me on the
specified condition Of our marriage
He paused and drew from his pocket
the small unmstakable yellow en-
velope. And now, the worst Of it is,'
he pursued anXiously, he has but
few hours to live, and sends this tele-
gram at the eleventh hour: If you
are not married before the breath
leaves my body-at my very bedside
will shall be changed
Etheredge pondered a second and
looked up with daring inspiration in
his eyes. Il have It," he cried, Sup
pose What II | might rig out in
some Of my sisters toggery and 90 on
with you?"
"Capital!" exclaimed Stamford.
Get ready as soon as you can; we've
precious little time to sQuander."
Inside 10 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 coupe and
drove rapidly away.
Five minutes brought them to the
Grand Central depot, and just In time
to purchase tickets and board the east
bound train.
A drizzling rain had set in by the
time they reached Springfield and the
night was pitchy. They were met and
ushered Immediately into the sick
mans chamber, where strange
priest lawyer, and one or two serv.
ants as witnesses were already as
sembed.
Half an hour passed, and the dark
ened sick room became the chamber
of death The newly welded couple
fingered for a solemn moment then
silently left the room to prepare for
the return journey.
Katherine Stamford entered the
parlor with some trepidation. Ether
edge was standing before an open
but at the sound of her step he
turned and came forward with OUT
stretched hand.
so good Of you to come she said,
placing her fingers in his; I'VE have
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-tale eyes
raised to his.
Katherine turned away swiftly to
hide the burning flood Of crimson on
cheek, neck and brow.
mo need to deny it, dearest. Thank
heaven luck was the means of bring
ing to me what no amount Of plead
ing could"
How did you guess? l thought
/ was sure"
THAT that fimsy disguise of yours
was perfect? Never, with me. Be-
cause l love you, neither wig, nor
clothes, nor the startling resemblance
you bear to your twin brother could
avail one iota to deceive me. Be-
Sides" he went on, Il happened to
know that old Dick was hundreds OF
miles away when that telegram
came"
But Charley, that marriage was all
sham; the proper parties are to be
married in two weeks. It-our-can-
not really count, you know"
1t did however, for a fortnight
later there was double wedding at
st. Paups.
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz