The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1916-01-07
CHAPTER XVII.
A Runaway Marriage,

WWYIIILE Mrs. Randolph was In
~ dulglng In another luKurl.
w Gus nervous collapse at this
crownlng contretemps tho de.
tectsyc and gambler were on their way
% the railroad station to head on the
fugltives. Half way to the depot the
front tire on the taxioab blew out with
q loud explosion.
Tom Blake looked at his watch. blair
Stanley and the lady aud the diamond
can't get train out OF Richmond for
over an hour yet" said the detective
II have a bunch that they know this
and bet two to one they have i'm
proved the shining hour by waking up
Parson Gray, the marrying minister
and getting spllced. I have a wedding
present, a pair OF bracelets-for the
groom
Mr.. Abe Bloom did not ask any dues
tons. lie realized there might DO sew
eral reasons that such a piece OF pun
tive jcwelry could be clasped about
the wrists Of Blair Stanley.
At the preachers house, which was
near by, neither Biake nor Bloom were
surprised to see q waiting tnIlcab,
Blake questioned the driver briefly and
mounted the steps Of thc parsonage
The front door was unfas,encd and he
and Bloom glldcd silently into the
lighted hallway
They could hear the voice Of the Rev
John Gray dronlEg. Il now pronounce
you man and wlfer' Blair Stanley and
Vivian Vivian Mnrston no more
were facing the minister aud Blair was
extending to his eager eyed bride the
jewel with which he had won her, the
diamond from the sky.
Blake stepped forward md with q
defines acquired By long practice
snapped his handouts on tho wrists OF
blair, cxclalmlng, we want the dla
mond. and arrest you for tho murder
OF Dr. Lee"
vivian did not scream, she clutched
the diamond and drew II TO her breast
Blnlr, reused to a frenzy OF fright and
rage at the thought OF losing Vivian
and Of being hailed on ns murderer
swung bis manncled hands with all his
strength.
For once Tom Blake was caught nap
ping lie was knocked back over q
chair and lay q moment stunned. Abe
Bloom was next to feel the heavy
swinging double blow Of tho Infatuated
Blair
Vivian, quick as thought pressed the
button Of the electric light switch near
the door, and she and Blair rushed
from the room, Blair pauslng Just In.
side the hall to draw back the sliding
door. They dashed from the place and
were In their mxlcab and away before
the excited and lrresolute minister had
thought to turn on the light The dc.
tectlye, still dizzy from his stunning
fail. reused himself and hurried after
the fugitiyes from the house, followed
by the astounded Mr. Bloom
Tho taxicnb Of the newly married
pair was gone. The detective and the
gambler ran 10 their vehicle In the
next street and. finding the burst tire
had been replaced. ordered the driver
to make for the depot.
On their part, the fugitiyea had not
proceeded to the depot II was the
more subtle Vivian who suggested
daring scheme OF escape from the city.
Dlsmiaslng their taxi near Mr. Ike
Blooms pawnshop, they reused that
ncryously doing lender OF money on
portable property. lie was not lonth
TO admit the fair Vivian for, awakened
now, he was horribly frightened ut the
idea Of being alone.
But while chattcrfng some excuse,
the fair Vivian lavlshed her smiles
upon the pawnbroker. Blair stepped be