The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-14

Iiuhtncss, they didn't leave any ad-
dress" The officer stared at him WIN
aevore suspicion. and then disappeared
again under one OF the trucks.
81 am very, very much Obliged %
Won Miss Cuyler." Van B!bher saio'
He tried to raise his hat, but the or
forts of the gentleman who had struct
hin, from behind had been successful,
and thn hat came off only after "A
wrench that made him vince.
gym, were very brave he went on.
"And i, WIS very good Of you TO stand
IN, mo Won won't mind my saying so,
now. will you? But You gave the
wrong ran. | hadn't time to tell you
10 change it," He mopped the back
Of his head tcnderly with his handker-
chief and tried TO smile cheerfu!'y'
"You see. YOU were giving the rap" he
explained politely, FOR a fre-engine;
but it's Of no consequence. Miss Guy
Icr came to closer 10 him. and he saw
that her face showed sudden anxiety
Mr., Van Bibber!" she exclaimed
"Oh. I didn't know ii was you!
didn't know it was any one who kne"
me, What will you think" ~
~ beg your pardon" said Van Bib
Der, blankly
"you must not believe" she went on
quickly. that am subject to this sort
Of thing. Please do not imagine l Am
ANNOYED down here like this. 1t has
never happened before. was nursing
woman, and her son. who genera lly
goes home with me. vas kept at his
work. and thought could risk get
ting back alone. You see" she eX'
planned, as Van Bibber's face showed
he was still puzzled. my people do
no, fancy my living down here; and ~
they should hear OF this they would
never consent to my remaining an
other day. and it means so much @
me now
They need not hear Of it, Van Bib
Der answered, sympathetically. They
certainly won't from me, II that's whit
YOU mean
He stepped to Miss Cuyler's sid,
and they walked on down the street IL
the College Settlement in silence.
II haven't thanked you, Mr.. Van Bib!
Der" said Miss Cuyler. 1T was really
fine OF you. and most exciting. YOU
must be very strong. I can't imasin@
how YOU happened to be there, but il
was most fortunate for me that you
were. If you had not. /"
"Oh. that's all right" said Van BID
her, hurrledly. ! haven't had so mu2f
fun without paving for it for loni
time. Fun" he added. meditatively
costs so much"
And You will he so good. then, rs
not to speak Of it,. she said. as she
gave him her hand at the door.
"Of course not. Why should r. sac
Van Bibber, and then his face .beamed
and coluded again Instantly. But
OH" he begged, I'm afraid I'll have e
tell Travers! Oh. please let me tel
Travers. I'll make him promise moi
10 mention it. but It's too good joke
on him, when YOU think what ne
missed. You see" he added, hastily
we were 10 have gone out together
and he forgot, as usual. and missed he
whole thing. and lie wasn't in It, ana
il will lust about break his heart. He's
always getting grlnds on me- he went
ON. nersuasivcly, and now I've got this
ON him You will really have TO lLt
me tell Travers."
Miss Cuyler looked puzzled and said
"Certsinly.' though she failed to sc'e
why Mr.. Travers should want his head
broken. and then she thanked Van
Bibber again and nodded to the officer
and went indoors.
Van Bibber told Travers about 1t the
next morning, and Travers forgot ne
was not to mention it. and told the
next man he met! BY one o'clock the
story had grown in his telling. and
Van Bibber's reputation had grown
with it.
Travers found three men breakfast
ing together, at the club. and drew no
chair. Have YOU heard the joke
Van Bibber's got on me-" he asked,
sadly. bv way Of Introduction.
Wainwright was sitting at the next
table with his back to them. He had
lust loft the customs officers. and his
wonder at the dirtiness OF the streets
and height Of the buildings had given
way to the pleasure Of being home
again. and before the knowledge that
"nld friends are best"
His mind WAS wide awake, and
shifting from one pleasant thought TO
another. when he heard TrCverss voice
behind him raised impressively. And
they both went ut Van hammer and
tongs." he heard Travers say. zone IN
front and the other hehird. kicking
and striking all over the shop. And.
continued Travers. inter-uptlng him
self suddenly with Il shrill and anxious
tone Of Interrogation, where was
while this was going on? That's inc
nathctic part OF it-where was I?' His
voice rose TO almost a Shrek OF disap-
pointment. Il was sitting in a red
silk box listening to n red-silk opera
with a lot OF girls-thats what | was
doing. wasn't in It: wasn't. L"
We'll. never mind what YOU were
doing" said one Of the men. sooth-
ingly; you weren't in It. as you say,
Return 70 the libretto."
well" continued Travers. meekly
"lrt me see: where was L."
"You were in a redsik box" suG
cesttd one of the men, reaching for
tho coffee.
"Gio On. Travors." said the first man
The two mon were kicking Van Bib
her
ooh. ycs." rricd Travers. Well Van
lust threw the first fcl ow over his
head, and threw him hard. He must
have broken his ribs, for the second
fellow tried TO got away. and begged
Off. hut Van wouldn't have it, and
rushed him. He got the tough's head
his arm nChcd. and then he threw him
into the street. and asked If any other
gentleman would like 10 try his luck.
What did the girl do" interrupted