Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-10-25

Inc In;iil puuSeu ana turned Npui
| them Il sanity countcnanCe framed il
hair like snow.
"Thern Is something I can do fol
you:' hc inquired with punctilious
| courtesy.
"If you viii be Kind enough to di
rect me 10 a minister >"
Il am one
II thought So" said Whitaker. 1--WE
wish to get married.
| The gentleman looked from his face
to the girls. then moved aside from
the gate. This Is my home" he ey-
planned. "Will YOU be good enough
to come ln!'
Conducting them to his private
study, he subjected them to IL kindly
| catechlsm. The girl said little. Whit
akcr taking upon himself the brunt of
the examination. Absolutely straight
forward and intensely sincere, he came
through the ordeal Well, without being
Obliged 10 disclose what he preferred
to keep secret. The minister. salts
fled, az length called In the town clerk
by telephone who issued the license,
pocketed his fee, and in company with
the minister's wife, acted as Wit
mess.
Whitaker found himself on his feet
beside Mary Ladslas. They were be-
Ing married. He seemed to hear the
droning Of the loom Of the fates. >.
And they were man and wife. The
door had closed, the gate-Iatch clicked
behind them. They We're walking
quietly side by side through the scent
ed night, they whom God had Joined
together. Neither found anything to
say. At the station. Whitaker bought
his wife n ticket to New York and Sc
cured for her solitary use Il drawing
room In the sleeper. Whitaker pos
sessed himself of his wlfe's handbag
long enough to furnish it with a sum
Of money and an Old envelope bearing
the name and address of his law part
ner. He explained that Drunmond
would issue her an adequate monthly
allowance and advise her when she
should have become her own mistress
once more in word, widow
She thanked him briefly quietly,
with constraint he understood too
well to resent.
Both. perhaps. We're sensible of some
relief when at length the train thun-
dercd In from the East, breathing smoke
and flame. Whitaker helped his wife
aboard and interviewed the porter in
her behalf Then they had moment
or two alone In the drawing-room in
what was meant to be their first and
last parting.
She caught him suddenly by the
shoulders with both her hands. Her
eyes sought his with q Wistful courage
he could not but admire.
you know I'm grateful :"
Don't think of 1t that way--thoush
I'm glad you are
you're Il good man." she said bro
konly.
He knew himself too we'll to be able
to reply.
IVA ''''FAh N'ii y hboit nv iibN.
You've made things easy for me.
can take care of myself, and Il
shan't forget whose name | bear"
He muttered something to the effect
that he was sure of that.
She released his shoulders and stood
back, searching his face with torment
ed eyes. Abruptly she offered him her
hand
"Good-by," she said her lips CULVER
|ng-"Good-by, good friend"
He caught the hand, wrung it
and painfully and =
realized that the train was in motion.
He had barely time to get away
He found himself on the station plat
form, stupidity watching the rear lights
lwindlc down the tracks and wonder
ing whether or not Authorizations We're
a phase of his mnlady. A sick man
often dreams strange dreams.
A voice behind him, cool with trace
of irony, observed:
ard give a good deal to know just
you've been indulging in, this time"
He whirled around 10 face Peter
Stark-Peler quietly amused and very
much the master of the situation.
"You needn't think said he. that
rou have any chance on earth of cSc0p-
ng my fond attentions, Hugh. I've
iXed II I'D with Nelly to wait until ["
BRING you home, n well man, before
Ne get married; and If YOU refuse to
% my best man well, there won't be
my party. You can make UP your
mind to that"