Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-11-08

vnl tHat lie was there ahead of the
others; but a dark form doomed ahead
II he perceived some one coming vi
from outside. Another second, and he
saw it was his newly acquired brother
inlaw.
Say, this is great" was his greet
ing. How did O manage to find you1
way UP alone? l was just coming
down after you. l wanted to leave you
there till the last minute so no one
would suspect, but now you are here
we can hustle off at once l just took
mother and Celia down. 1t was pretty
stiff for mother to climb down., for she
was a little bit afraid. but she was
game all right. and she was so pleased
to go. They're waiting for us down
there in the court. Here, let me help
you with your o%vercoat. Now I'll pull
down this window, so ne one will sus-
pect us and follow. That's all right
now; come on! You go ahead. Just
hold on to the railing and go slow. I'll
keep close to you. l know the way in
my sleep. I've played fire here many a
year, n could climb down in my
sleep"
Gordon found himself wishing that
this delightful brotherinlaw were really
his. There was evidently to be no OBJ
portunity of escape here. He meditated
making a dash and getting away in the
dark when they should reach the foot
OF the stairs; much as he hated to leave
that way. he felt he must do so if there
vas any chance for him at all; but.
when they reached the ground, he saw
that was hopeless. The car that was
to take them to the station was drawn
up close to the spot. and the chauffeur
stood beside it.
Your mother says fer you to hurry,
Mister Jefferson" he called in a sepul-
chral tone. They're coming out around
the block to watch. Get in as quick as
o cam"
The burly chauffeur stood below
Gordon, helped him to alight on his
feet from the fire escape, and hustled
him into the darkness Of the convey.
nee.
left the dark court and were SPEEDING
down h Then the brides
mother laid two gentle hands upon
GOrdOn's, leaning across from her seat
to do SO, and said:
My son, l shall never forget this Of
you.n never! 1t was dear of you to, give
me this last few minutes with my dar-
ling!"
Gordon. deeply touched and much
put to 1t for words. mumbled some
thing about being very glad to have
her. n Jefferson relieved the situa-
ton by pouring forth a volume of in
and questions. fortunately
80 ~oAA VIII CllO0Sn u HdVo Ino
latter answered. The bride sat with
n hand clasped in her mothers, and
said not a word. Gordon was haunted
by the thought of tears in her eyes.
There was little opportunity for
thinking. but Gordon made a hasty
pan. he decided to get his party all
u to the train and then remember
his suit case. which he had left checked
In the station. jefferson would prob
ably insist upon going for it, but he
Wou!d insist more st%renuously that the
brother and sister would want to have
this last minute together. Then he
couid get away In the crowd and dis
perhaps. or sending a porter from his
own train for it. The only drawback
to this arrangement was that it seemed
a dishonorable way to leave these peo-
pie who would in the nature of things
De LETT in a most trying position by his
aisappearanc especially the sad little
pride. But 1t could not be helped, and
his staying would only compiicate
things still further, for he would have
TO explain Who he was, and that was
practically impossible on account of
his commission. It would not do to
III risks with himself until his mission
was accomplished and his message de-
ivered. After that he could confess
and make whatever reparation a man
In his strange position could render.
The plan worked very well. The
brother OF course eagerly urged that
he be allowed to 90 back for the suit
case. but Gordon, with well feigned
tnougntfulness said In a low tone:
your sister will want you for q
minute all to herself"
a tender look came into the boys
eyes. and he turned back smiling to the
stateroom where his mother and sister
were having q wordless farewell. Cor
don jumped from the train and sprint
ed down the platform. feeling meauer
In his whole life. and with q strr age
heaviness about his heart. He forgot
for the moment that there was need
for him to be on his guard against pos.
stble detectives sent by Mr.. Holman.
Even the. Importance Of the message
thai he was free. His feet had a
strange unwtllingness to hurry. and
without a constant pressure Of the will
would have Jagged In spite OF him. His
heart wanted to let suit case and COM
and everything else go to the
winds and take him back to the state
5ooIn where he had left his sorrowful
bride OF an hour. She was not his, and
he might not go. but he knew that he
would be the same hereafter. He
would always be wondering where she
was. wishing he could have saved her
from whatever troubled her; wishing
she were his bride. and not another's.
He passed back through the station
gate. and q man In evening clothes
eyed him sharply. He fancied he saw
. resemblance TO Of the men at
the Holman dinner table. but he dared
not look again lest q glance should cost
him recognition. He wondered blindly
which way he should take, and Il Il
would be safe 70 risk going At once to
the checking window. OF whether hs
ought to 90 In hiding until Ne yao sure
gounGssJefferson would no longer. look
Tor him. Then Q hand touched hi0
" Welcome shoutad: