The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER v.-(continued).

ali the arrangements. I've secured thC
stateroom as you cabled me to do, anC
here are the tickets and checks. The
trunks are down there all checked
Celia didn't want any nonsense about
their being tied up with white ribbon
She hates all that, We've arranged
for you to slip out by the fire escape
n down through the back yard of the
next neighbor, where a motor, just a
plain regular one from the station, viii
be waiting around the corner in the
shadow. Celia knows where it is. None
Of the party will know you are gone
until you are well under way. The
car they think you will take is being
deliberately adorned with white at the
front door now. but you won't have any
trouble about it. I've fixed everything
up. Your coat and hat are out on the
fire escape, n as soon as Celia's
ready I'll show you the way"
Gordon thanked him. There was
nothing else to do, but his c~ountenanco
grew blank. Was there, then, to be nc
escape? Must he actually take another
man bride with him in order to get
away? And how was he to get away
from herr Where was the real bride
groom and why did he not appear upon
tho scene7 And yet what complica-
tons that might bring up. He began
to look wildly about for a chance to
flee at once, for how could he possibly
run away with a bride on his hands?
II only some n were going with them
to The station he could slip away with
q clear conscience, leaving her in good
hands, but to leave her alone, i'll, and
distressed. was out Of the question. He
had rid himself of a lonely dog and a
suffering child. though it gave him an
guish to do the deed. but leave this
lovely woman for whom HI at least
appeared to have become responsible,
he could not, until he was sure she
would come to no harm through him.
Don't let anything hinder you!
Don't let anything hinder youi"
1t appeared that this refrain had not
ceased for an instant since it began,
but had chimed its changes through
music, ceremony. prayer n reception
without interruption. 1t acted like a
goad upon his conscience now. He
L do something that would set him
inspiration came to him.
Wouldn't o like to go to the sta
ton with u.s." he asked the young man.
Il am sure your sister would like to
have you"
The boys face lit up joyfully.
Oh. wouldn't you mind? I'd like it
9wfully. and-if it's all the same to you,
wish mother could go, too. It's the
hrst time Celia and she were ever sep
arated, n know she hates it fierce
~ to have to say goodbye with the
house full Of folks this way. But she
doesn't expect 1t. of course, and really
1T isn't fair to III, when you haven't
seen Celia alolne yet, and it's your wee
ding trip
There will be plenty of time for u.s."
aid tie compulsory bridegroom, gra-
ciously, and felt az If he had perjurel
himself. 1t was not in his nature to
enjoy a serious masquerade of this
kind.
Il shall be glad to have you both
come he added. earnestly. Il really
want you. Tell YOU mother"
The boy grasped his hand impul-
sively.
Il say" said he. you're all right! /
don't mind ~confessing that I've hated
the very thought Of you for a whole
three months, ever since Celia told us
she had promised to marry you. You
see, ! never really knew you when /
was a little chap, but / didn't used to
4 you. / took an awful cunne to
you for some reason. / suppose kids
often take Irrational dislikes like that,
But ever since I've laid eyes on you to-
Right, I've liked you all the way
through. / like your eyes. 1t isn't a
bit as thought / remembered you. |
used to think your eyes had a sort. Of
deceitful look. Awful to tell you. isn't
II? But / felt as If 1 wanted to have it
on my conscience, for l see now you're
no.. .ng OF the kind. You've got the
nDrsstest eyes I ever saw on a man,
end I'd stake my last cent that you
wouldn't cheat a church mouse. You're
true as steel and I'm mighty glad you're
my brothertnlaw. l know youth be good
to Celia"
The slow color mounted under his
disguise until 1t reached Gordon's bur-
nished brown hair. His eyes were hon
est eyes. They had always been So
until today. Into what a world OF de-
ceit he had entered! How he would like
20 make Q clean breast of it all to this
nice. rank boy; but he must mott! for
there was his trust! For an instant
was on the point OF trying to xplain
tnat ne was not the true bridegroom,
2 getting young Jefferson to help him
e set matters right. but an influx OF
their privacy. and he could only press
the boys hand anassay in embarrassed
THANH you! Ishail try to be worthy
q your good opinion hereafter!"
1t was oyergsat last, and the bride
slipped froslsa.is side9to prepare for the
journey. HI looked hastily around,
teeiifg ishas his very first opportunity
e come for making an a If an
ot.en window had ~presented itself, he
have vaulted through, trusting
to auckland his heels to get away. but
there was no window, and every door
was blocked by staring. sadmiring.
srnirking people. He bethougft himself
ut the fire escape where waited his hat
coat, and wondered Y. he could find
With smiling apologies, he broke
those around him, murrnlr-
BoinethfnE about being heeded.a ana