The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-06
The Euer,i,,g Story


(By John Dent.)
AZ Billy Reed swung from the plat
FORM OF the train, q little group OF
ioungers detached themselves from the
support OF the station building and
came gapine. TO meet him.
II It ain't 5Rtll Reel" cried the fore
most. putttu&6 out " hornE hand. How
dy. Btu. made that there fortune yet %
why, hello JaSon7 Is this delega-
ticn from the Sons OF Rest come to well
come me back to Red Bridge? I'm dis
appolnted-l rather expected you'd have
Lem Tuttle's band and Higby's best
turnout to take me homer" Billy shook
nanos with his old neighbour looking in
their awed eyes ve3ESfaH and hand
some AMI citified.
There amt no carriages or bands to
spare IN Red Lridge today" grfnned
Oscar Tolies.
No? What's going ONT"
weddings" replied Oscar, and
promptly doubled up with pain as he
became tie recipient of sundry thumps
and nudges from his companions.
weddings. Ell? Well. I'll want 'em
all FOR my own wedding pretty soon,"
9r1nned Billy. Then he turned on the
MIN down the dusty road. II may as
Wen tell you. boys. that I'm on my
way to Nancy Delmore's house. II you
should all trail along after me like this,
m AFRAID Nancy wouldn't like it-and
-er, you know 4 haven't seen my girl
Tor six months-ands that's the boys!
Much obliged Bully waved his hat as
his companions melted away into a by
path-all save one.
Billy turned to. find Jason Knox at
MS elbow. Jason's long equine
counterance wore a funeral look as he
regarded his one time playmate.
on. I thought you'd gone. Jase. -
laughed Billy. aCome. along, then. I
don't believe. Nancy will mind you. Re-
member how we three used to 20 slid
ing down Satly's Hill together?''
remember, Billy" said Jason in q
cnoked voice, 'end because 1 do re-
member all those good old times and
everything that's happened since-be-
cause OF that. why I've stayed behind to
Billy's face went white. He dropped
his suitcase and put his bands on
Jason's shoulders.
Tell me what has happened, Jase."
Jason's eyes shifted. You heard from
Nancy lately?'
mo: I've been travelling from one
state to another for the last eight weeks
and when I reached my hot Il in New
Xork was surprised not to find a let
ter from Nancy. Now, Jase. don't be
afraid to tell me bad news. Out with it
for I know something has happened
to Nancy
BILLY. can't tell your cried Jason.
She is dead?"
No. no: worse than that" quavered
mastfn does a terrier. Worse than
that. honest. Billy-she's going to be
married today!"
Billy's hands fell to his sides. Nancy
-marrted-tOday? Is it a joker" he
asked with sudden fierceness.
It's no joke, Billy; 1 wish it was.
Now you understand why the boys
all faded away when you said you were
going to Nancy Delmore's house
there's to be a wedding there this even
ing at o'clock and it must be nearly
nowhere goes the Congregational
bell" -. 49,. -,-...
Across the quiet valley came the ia
miliar chime of distent bells; there was
q haunting sadness in tllei-- notes; they
were poienant reminders of the youth
Of happy country boy-a boy who had
gone forth to seek a fortune for his
childhood's sweetheart. who came home
a man. to find she had broken faith
with him.
After a long silence, Billy turned to
Jason Knox. TELL me about it. Jase.
Who is the man?'
Frank Stanton
Stanton? That mean little hound !?
Why, why. l. don't understandw
r Talk 3 Occu uOWu u the city lOT
a spell and he came home WITT: lot of
yarns about you'd been cutting up
down there. Said you'd been married
to q girl and you was on on your we'd
ding trip-said he could prove 1T. He
told such q good story that I almost
believed it myself. honest. did. Billy
you know Frank IL a slick talker. Pa
always said he oughter been cam
paign orat... heard that Nancy
wouldn't listen to word about 1t until
Frank came home after another trip
with her letters she'd sent to you, and
picture of the girl he said you
was married to- Tsleh Nancy believed,
and she went around looking like q
ghost: next thing 4 knew she was go
ing around with Frank. and when she
heard that vou wefe coming home "
your bride, she accepted Frank right
off.' x
but my letters TO her-she must have
received those"
You forget that Stanton's pa keeps
the post Office reminded Jason. Nov,
Billy, we got to work quick. You say
there amt no bride?''
''No-and there won't be any for me
except Nancy Delmore."
Then we'll go back to the station
and telephone to the hotel where you
stopped and inquire If any one asked
for your mail. and If they did, get their
description; that will explain why you
didn't get her letters. Say. Billy"
doubtfully. suppose you md that
Frank did call for your mail at the
hotel-what are you going to do?''
Billy's eyes snapped with sudden fire.
I'm going to be married-at O'Clock
to-nightr' he growled. and. whirling
about. he ran back to the station, with
Jason at his heels.
A freight train was just drawing out
and the station agent ealuted the new
corners with a broad grin.
'.Juet missed it!'' he cried.
where's the telephone booth?' de-
manded Billy, hreathleesly.
Ten minutes later changed Billy came
out of the booth and Joined Jason Knox.
His face had resumed its normal color.
his black eyes shone and the way he
walked revealed to Jason that Billy was
himself again.
did hep gasped Jason eagerly.
ssHe did! Presented an order purported