The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER v.-(continued).

In q ow, buSineSSlike tone, as IL ne en-
joyed h 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 want any nonsense about
their being tied up with white ribbon.
She hates all that. We've arranged
for o to slip out by the fire escape
n down through h 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 1t is. None
OF the party will know you are gone
until 0 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 Ii. I've fixed everything
up. Your coat and hat are out on the
fire escape, and as soon as Celia's
Feady I'll show you the way"
Gordon thanked him. There was
nothing else to do. but his countenance
grew blank. Was there, then, to be no
escape2 Must he actually a another
mans bride with him in order to get
away2 And how was he to get away
from herr Where was the real BRIDE
groom n why did he not appear upon
the scene2 And yet what complica-
tons that might. bring up. He began
~ " WANehJ " LII a. NtAa ~
flee at once, for how could he possibly
: run away with a bride on his hands
II only some one were going with them
to the station he could slip iva with
clear conscience, leaving her in good
hands. .but to leave her alone. Ill, and
distressed. IA out OF the question. He
had rid himself Of q lonely dog and a
suffering child, though 1t gave him an
guish to do the deed, but leave this
lovely woman for whom he 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 you'll" .
1t appeared that this refrain a not
leased for an instant since Ii began,
but. had chimed Its changes through
music, ceremony. prayer and reception
without interruption. 1t acted like a
goad 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
ttoE with us?" he asked the young man.
~ am sure you sister would like to
have you"
The boys face lit up ~joyfully,
ION, wouldn't you mind? I'd like 1t
awfully, and-ifi it's all the same to you,
] wish mother could go, too. It's the
first time Celia and she were ever sep
arated, and i know she hates 1t fierce
ly 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 you, when you haven't
seen Celia aloine yet, and it's your wed
ding trip"
There will be plenty Of time for u.s."
said the compulsory bridegroom, gra-
ciously, and felt as If he had perjured
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
raj you. Tell your mother"
The boy grasped his hand impul-
siveiy.
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. i mover really knew you when ]
was q little chap. but / didn't used to
like you. / took IN awful unn to
you for some reason. l suppose kids
often take Irrational dislikes like that.
But ever since I've laid eyes on you to-
night, I've liked you all he way
through. 1 like III eyes. 1t isn't a
bit as / thought 1 remembered you. /
used to think your eyes had q sort of
deceltful look. Awful to tell you, isn't
IT. Blu I felt as IL / wanted to have II
OF my conscience. for ! see now you're
notl ing Of the kind. You've got the
hCnpstest eyes 1 ever saw on a man,
and 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 brotherinlaw. I know you'll be good
to Celia"
The slow color mounted under his
disguise until II reached Gordon's bur
-NaAA1 A-Axtvn nd. TIT .A-- -
est eyes. They had always been so
until today. into what a world of de-
ceit he had entered! How he would like
to make clear breast of II all to this
nice. rank boy; but he must not! for
there was his trust! For an instant
he was on the point Of trying to explain
that he was not the r bridegroom,
n getting young Jefferson to help him
to set matters right, but an influx of
newly arrived guests broke in upon
their privacy. and he could only press
the boys hand and say in embarrassed
tones: -
Thank you! shall try to be worthy
OF you good opinion hereafter!"
1t was over at last, and the bride
slipped from lis side to prepare for the
Journey. He looked hastily around,
Keeling that his very first opportunity
had come for making an escape. If an
open window had presented itself, he
would a vaulted through, trusting
to luck and his heels to get away, but
there was no window, and every door
was blocked by staring, admiring,
smirking people. He ~bethought himself
OF the fire escape where waited his hat
and coat, and wondered II he could find
It. ,
With smiling apologies. he broke
away from those around him. murmur-
ing something about being needed, and
worked his way firmly, but steadily, to-
ward the stairs and thence to the back
halls. Coming at last upon an open
window, he slipped through, his heart
beating wildly. He thought for a sec
ond that he was there ahead Of the
others; but a dark form doomed ahead
and he perceived some one coming up
from outside. Another second, and he
saw II was his newly acquired brother
inlaw.
"Eay, this Is great" was his greet
ing. "How did you manage to find your
way UP alone? / was just coming
down after you. ! wanted to leave you
there till the last minute SO no one
-~>..1 $1,000 k..t NDx 20. n.a hn.A