The Republican journal., 1914-06-18
A Game Of Chance.
By DIR. w. H. Winslow.

! seen in the afternoon, and they paused
within the portals, dazzled by brilliant
illumination and surrounded by groups
of ladies and gentlemen, whom they inn
mediately recognized as their friends
from the city.
1--WE have been awaiting you, my
DEAR" said Mr.. Bemls, embracing and
kissing the confused and blushing bride
and congratulating Cutnet, and his ex-
ample was followed by the most OF those
present. Then he placed the astonlshed
couple at round table, facing a long
table, with Jack, Wendell and Mary up
on either side. He saw the other guests
at their selected chairs at the long table
and took his place by the big chair at one
end; then, he interrupted the merry talk
about him and said:
''My daughter, Alice, influenced by
romantic fancy, and to avoid an elabo-
rate wedding, which we were preparing
for her at home, desired to elope. Mr..
Cutnet yielded to her wishes, and shut
nv ewes to the secret preparations, and
let the darling have her way. She did
elope. She enjoyed her secret depart
ure through the garden. along shady
lanes and remote streets, avoiding de-
lection and fearful of pursuit, until she
met her william and fled through the
country, disguised by auto goggles and
clothes. and hidden among the wraps OF
the tonneau.
1T was a rough, wild ride, but the
novelty and excitement furnished SOFT
springs, and the clippers arrived safely IN
this obscure village and found secluslon
in this hotel. The william had arranged
every thing here for hasty marriage,
and quiet honeymoon. as became the
fine business man he is, and all seemed
propitious for success. No angry father
forbade the ceremony; no brutal officers
arrested the culprits; but the curiosity
of the villagers, the citation Of the minis
ter, the vanity of church officers, spread
the news quickly of the arrival of rum
away heiress and millionaire lover,
who were Co be united in the stone
church. They added to the simple SER
vice all the regular attractions OF grand
ceremony, which everybody in the BALL
wick was bound to see even If the tat
fell in the fire."
Loud applause interrupted the speaker
and he smiled and bowed to the round
table and continued:
Tomorrow the whole story will be in
all the newspapers, because l notice
some bright-eyed reporters are taking
notes. Mrs. Dyer knows everything.
She told me she had seen Alice in dis
guise, speeding out the mountain road,
and it was her opinion something was
going to happen. Alice had treated her
oueerly all the week. 1t would be dread
full for her to run away and deprive her
friends of the pleasure of tirst-class
wedding, etc.
81 telephoned a friend here to watch
the arrivals and let me know any news
in the hotel and village. He 'phoned,
"A bold kidnapper and timld lady are
to be married by our Rector at . CLOCK.
sIt was a good description and autoed
here at high speed to investigate. You
know of my arrival OPPORTUNITY to take
part in the ceremony. The landlord had
informed me of the hour and place, and
found the runaway couple just IN time to
perform my duty.
CHOW, children, congratulate you on
your romantic elopement. 1t was clever
ly planned and successfully executed,
and you will enjoy its memories forever.
We came here, not to hinder and distress.
but to approve and to help you to cele-
brate victory over parental espionage.
We ask forgiveness for our interference,
actuated by love and sincere wishes Tor
YOUR happiness. | offer the toast. THE
Elopers.
Everyone arose and tossed their glasses
for the blushing bride and groom.
Cutnet held up his hand and said, 1--WE
are the victims of a conspiracy, but are
so happy over this unique denouement
, that we forgive the arch conspirator, Mr..
Bemis. His explanation Is so nearly cor
rect that do not wish to mar it. de-
sire merely to say, he knew all about our
plans week ago."
| L~;e apnlanco
greeted this speech. Mr.. Bemis sank
into his chair with mock CONSERVATION,
and the banquet went on.
When the coffee and cigars were serv-
ed and all were enjoying pungent wit and
lively story, the dark, sly fellow at the
foot of the table, so disguised by full
dress that few recognized him, arose and
said:
''Mr. Bemis, there are many specu-
lators here, who have long mourned over
their losses of Orc Sulphide bonds, which
they bought from your Mr.. Hambright
and left in his possession for safe keep
ing in your bank vault. He deposited
them all right, as collateral for loans to
himself and the Cornucopia Copper Com
pany, and then stole them and hid them
in cave in the mountains, which he
thought was unknown to the public.
"Mr. Wendell discovered the cave, as
an extension Of subterranean passage,
when he saved the lives of his party dur
ing the great holocaust. Through his
valuable assistance and significant clues,
l have found the lost one hundred-thou-
sand Orc bonds intact, and am ready to
return them to you and the bank. Here
they are!' shouted Fink, the detective,
holding the package of securities above
his head that all might see them.
Great applause filled the room, and
Bemis, Cutnet, the Wendell's and the
Dyer's so vitality interested, were sus-
piciously enthusiastic.
Mr.. Bemis arose and said, II propose
the health of Mr.. Solomon Fink, the
Prince Of Detectives, and of the Women
Spectators, whose instinct often beats
Wall Street, when the judgment OF man
leads to losses and disaster"
The merry company arose and drank
the toast, and, amid cheers, cllnking OF
glasses and much chatting and laughter,
the bride and groom waved adieux and
escaped through the main door to the
. corridor and their apartments.
FINS.
Horses Increasing in Number.