Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-07-10

OF him out of the path Of an oncomiDg
car. The night was stormy one, and
the old mans eyesight seemed defec-
tive.
"Thank you so much" the old fellow
began. Harvard could feel him shak-
ing under his grasp.
Cant help you homer" he offered.
"The streets are slippery and the
lights are poor"
THANK you so much" the old man
said again, but this time in tone that
gave consent Harvard helped him
along in silence. "They stopped In
front of the city's best hotel.
I'm going in here" the old gentle
man said, as he fumbled in his pock-
cts. He drew forth card. Come 10
see me in the morning." he invited.
Harvard pocketed the card. He had
no intention of calling on the old fell
low. but when he was undressing that
night and the card dropped to the floor
he picked it up and looked at the
name. benjamin Coles" was neatly
engraved upon 1t.
Harvard laughed. The old man
seemed to have come as an answer to
his thoughts. but he had sense enough
to know that this was not Comics
uncle Ben. Things like that only hap
pened in stories. Just the same it set
him thinking.
In the morning he did make the call
on BENJAMIN Coles. He came away
smiling. Now for the race between
Charles and James, he thought, as he
sauntered off to the Office
Hello" it was Comics voice over
the telephone and Harvard recognized
the excitement in her tone. 81 must
see you at once. I'm waiting at the
drug store on the corner" she cried
eagerly, and hung up the receiver be-
fore he could answer her. He hurried
to meet her, for Connie excited was
not the safest person to disappoint.
Harvard. we must be married at
once" she gasped breathlessly as soon
as she saw him. Wen get a thou
sand dollars if we do"
Harvard tried to appear surprised
| as she poured out the story of the
| letter from Uncle Ben. He was in thef
| city, but was disappointed because all
| his nieces were unmarried, and would
! give thousand dollars to the one
who was married first, and perhaps an
| add ional thousand if she was mar
| ried right away. What were wedding
presents and bridesmaids to two thou
| sand dollars? 1t was an unexpected
| turn of events, but Harvard was equal
to it. They hurried to get the license.
| "Why, this is the third Miss Lamar
| have made out license for today
| the justice told them as he affixed his
signature. That knowledge only added
to Comics speed. They arrived at the
nearest minister's in record time.
"You are the third Miss Lamar /
have married today" the minister an,
nounced after the ceremony was over.
"Oh" Connie could not hide her.
disappointment, but Harvard hurried
her out before she could give it ain
away.
81 was never so disappointed in my
life," she almost cried as they reached
the street. Just think, two thousand
gone"
Then Harvard had to confess. He
had persuaded Benjamin Coles to
write the letter so as to get the sisters
married off. 1t had all been frame
up The old man was not her uncle
=; at all.
"Why, he's at the house now, and
he's kissed mother and everything"
Connie cried in horror.
"The old impostor" Harvard ex-
claimed Indignantly. "We'll show
him." They fairly raced home. An
odd scene presented itself there. Two
sobbing brides in the arms of their
mother and two newly married hus
hands arguing over the right to the
$1,000. Harvard demanded silence
while he made the explanation.
ut was all frame-up," he con-
fessed, "but am sure we are all going
to be happy. Uncle Ben didn't write
that letter at all, and the two thousand
dollar bonus was only sell"
LET Uncle Ben speak for himself"
Benjamin Coles stepped from the back
ground. l did write that letter, and.
what is more, l am going to make
good my offer; in fact, am going one
better-I am going to give each Of my
nieces $1,000 each for a wedding pres
ent. You see, young man. we all
make mistakes. am Uncle Ben. as
my sister here will testify"
you dear old darling!" Connie,
with all her inconsistencies, fairly
swept him off his feet as she threw
herself into his arms. Cant you make
it tenn"
Indeed, seeing your husband saved
my life last night" | think I cam" he
agreed. land, young lady, l envy that
young man these hugs"
In the Margin.