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

Your train leaves at 1909" he said
In a low, husinesslike tone. as if he en-
1oyed the Importance of having made
all the arrangements. I've secured the
stateroom as you cabled me TO do, and
here are the tickets and checks. The
trunks are down there all checked.
Celia didn't wan any nonsense about
their being tied up with white ribbon.
She hates all that. Me've arranged
for you to slip GU by The fire escape
and down through the back yard of the
next neighbor. where a motor, just a
plain regular one from the station, will
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 we'll under way. The
car they think you will take is being
deliberately adorned with white at the
front door. now, hut you won't la any
trouble about it. I've fixed everything
up. Your coat and hat are out on the
IRE escape. and as soon as Celia's
ready IN show you the way"
Gordon thanked him. There was
nothing else to do. but his countenance
escape? Must he actually take another
mans bride with him in order to get
away? And how was he to get away
from her? Where was the real bride
groom and why did he not appear upon
the scene? And yet what complica-
tions that might bring up. He began
to iook wildly abou for a chance to
flee at once. for how could he possibly
run away with a bride on his hands?
~ on!y some n were going with them
10 tue station he could slip away with
~ciear conscience. leaving her in good
haAds, but to leave her alone, iii, and
distressed. was out of the question. He
I'D rid himself of a lonely dog and a
suffering child. though it gave him an
euish to do the deed, but leave this
lovely woman for whom he at least
appeared to nave become responsible.
he could not. Until he was sure h
Don't let anything hinder you!
Don't let anything hinder you!"
1T appeared that this refrain had not
ceased Tor an instant since it began,
but had chimed its changes through
music. ceremony. prayer and reception
without Interruption. 1t acted like a
eoad upon his conscience now. He
must do something that would set him
free to go back to Washington. An
inspiration came to him.
Wouldn't you 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 o mind? I'd like it
ewfuliy. and-ifi it's all the same to you,
l wish mother could go, too. It's the
first time Celia and she were ever sep
grated. and l know she hates it fierce
~ to have to say goodbye with the
mouse full of folks this way. But she
doesn't expect it. of course. and really
IL isn't fair to you, when you haven't
seen Celia aloine yet, and it's your we'd
ding trip"
There will be plenty of time for U.S."
said the compulsory bridegroom. gra-
ciousiy. and felt as if he a periurel
nitnseli. 1t was not in his nature to
kind.
y shall be glad to have you both
come" he added. earnestly. II really
want. you. Tell your mother"
IEe Coy grasped his hand impul-
~ say" said he. you're all right! 1
don't mind confessing that rye hated
the very thought of you for a whole
three months, ever since Celia told us
ehe had promised to marry you. You
see. l really knew you when /
was a little chap, but l didn't used to
ike you. l took an awful to
you TOR some reason. l suppose kids
often take irrational dislikes like that.
But ever since I've laid eyes ON you to-
tght. I've liked you all the way
nrough. 1 like your eyes. It isn't a
pit as l thought I remembered you. I
used, 70 think your eyes had q sort Of
aeceitful look Awful to tell you, isn't
Y! But ! felt as II I wanted to have it
on nly conscience. for / see now you're
a!t>::ing Of the kind. You've got the
s..nestest eyes I ever saw on q man.
4 I'd. stake my last cent that you
Wouldn't cheat q church mouse. You're
tfic as steel, and I'm mighty glad you're
my brotheriplaw ], know you'lI abe good
q slow colof mounted under his
Disguise until It reached Gordon's bur-
1Ished brown halt. His eyes were hon
~ eyes; Tney had always been So
eeit he had entered! How he would like
70 make q clean breast OF It all to this
NICE. frank boy: but he must not! for
there Nc his trust! For M instant
he was on the point Of trying to expiain
tnat ne was not the true bridegroom,
2 getting young Jefferson to help him
~ set matters right. but an influx Of
oeway arrived guests broke In upon
their privacy. and,h he could only press
the boys hand md say in embarrassed
THANH you'll! ! shall try to be worthy
" your good opinion hereafter!"
Il was over at last. and the bride
seIipped from his side TO prepare for the
Journey He looked hastily around.
1Sfylng that his very first opportunity
4dc0fNel for making an Escape. II an
6pen window g presented Itself. he
fSiSck.e md his heals Is set away. but
46ofo MaSTSnQ window. and every door
afa BLOCKED BY staring, admitting.
1iSaIin9S 6o6ple. Hell ethought himself
1~resegcopo whore waited his hat
cookfan6lEnndered II he Sould md
Ms Saailips apologies. re broke
at4iA6 4bcgt sheln9 needed. and
~ sGS5nL1ts66afxs.b hut steadily. to-
2SkGle0sAn4s4aenc to the back