The Republican journal., 1922-02-02

worse overgrown than even the Bagby
place. II was no trouble to ambush
the fitvver In thicket midway between
gate and mansion. The road was
grass grown, yet showed faint wheel
marks. Major Bagby smiled to see
them. "Not two days old" he said,
then handing Roy a fair-sized covered
basket: Take this To the side door
when IL opens If you see girl say:
The eggs madam-and I'll come back
for my change after bit. You're apt
tO see her-the pious elders Will ne
away at church. If they shouldn't be,
ask II Mr.. Dennis is awake yet and
will pay the ive dollars you must have
TO leave the parcel for him. Thath
get the door shut in your face-so you
can come back here ON the dead run.
II amt truly to go back?' from Roy.
"No-the change will come to US
we must be ready to take care OF IT,
the major retorted. Now, on your
way-and the Lord have mercy on
those bare feet of yours
Just twenty minutes later Roy, safe
returned, started to see tall. stopped
figure in widows weeds, almost run
ming toward them. Close up the. weeds
showed as a disguise for roses, dimpies
anu silk-clad ankles. Nobody spoke
the majors finger was on his lip. But
inside another twenty minutes he let
out a triumphant whOop: THE state
line, Safe over 1t. Now. Mr.. Guard
ian-Devil Inchpin. do your worst 7
A shaking white hand fell upon his
shouder-he turned to beam on its
owner with: Don't cry, honey girl
You're safe-and going to be safer
II can't believe it. II is too good
to be true" the girl cried, her voice
breaking. ~ had lest hope, faith,
everything, in this awful month that
knew myself a prisoner, helpless
thought forgotten. You made no
sign"
Had to wait till you were twenty
one-lucky l knew the date, the ma
jor interrupted. Until you we're II
wasn't safe to NEEDLE with you
hardly even to think of you. Kidnap-
ing is, you know. a pretty serious Of
fense. Inchpin would have nailed me
for it, joyously. Besides, he would
never have let us have today's chance
if he had dreamed l knew where he
had hidden you"
He said ! was only nineteen and
would never live to see twenty If l
kept refusing to marry his nephew
the girl, Hilary Arkworth, said tenselv.
Again the major patted her hand, say
ing: Forget it Forget him and all
his i'll doings. Or rather leave him to
justice-and Jimmy Raynor. Wen stop
shortly and phone for him; he's one
of three fellows safe not to be at
church. And next to seeing you free,
and your own mistress. | think he will
enjoy doing justice TO your guardian
Jimmy Raynor with his pal, Dancy
Allen, shattered all speed limits, and
nearly wrecked a perfectly good car,
after getting the majors message.
Thus it came about that coincidental-
ly with church dismissal there was
an impromptu wedding some fifteen
miles off with Major Bagby giving the
bride away, Roy Willem playing ring
bearer and Dancy Allen jubilant as
best man. After it the whole story
came out Hilary Arkworth and jim
my Raynor, whirled together in the
war-turmoil, had fallen in love, plight
ed troth and tried 10 marry out of
hand. Between them had come. the
scheming lnchpin, intent upon keeping
in his own family the fortune he had
held in trust since Hilary was baby.
He had secluded her, browbeaten her,
as he thought, out of all resistance.
Finding himself mistaken he had vir-
tually imprisoned her at Speedwell,
not knowing the majors close neigh
borhood or that of the plans which
meant also Jimmy. Thus he had been
in manner hoist by his Own petard.
He clustered, of course, but what is
a man to do when the law, the right.
a wedding ring and husband chock-
full of fight are leagued against himi
=.