Evening star., 1922-09-17

l
the night wondering what I should
| do with this pair. I meant to bring
the affair to head with no beating
about the bush. Oh, yes. L did. The
| next thing I knew Miss Wickes was
| sobbing and stamping her foot and
declaring that she wouldn't stay in
| this place another minute.
Then that makes it very simple"
says I. Shall I have your luggage
taken out to the carr"
"Cat!" says she. Tim going to
tell Harold every word"
DO" says I, And If you need
prompting on any details just call for
me-"
By that time she was storming
| downstairs and for the next half hour
the two of them sat in front OF the
living room fire holding an indigna-
ton meeting. But they made no move
toward getting the car out. For one
thing. the evening was wearing on
and the nearest town was ten
miles off
What you gonna do now?" whis-
What I should have done some
time ago." says I. Call up some
body in the Wickes family on the
prone"
1t wasn't as simple as it sounded.
either. First, got a Swedish maid
who couldn't seem to say anything
but "Meesus Wickes. she bane busy"
oh c1, 11I
lish butler. who started to cross-ex-
anime me over the wire. He wanted
TO know who I was and where and why
! wished to speak to Mrs. wickes
Say, Perkins, or Popples, or what
ever your name is" says I. Just lay
Off that third degree stuff. This is
personal. private and urgent. and if
you don't get me in touch with either
Pa or Ma Wickes right away you're
going to be sorry. Now make it
snappy."
And inside of 2 minute ! was get
ting a cooey. gurgly reply from
some one who said she was Mrs
Alonzo Wickes
"Betty's mother?" I asked :
"Of course" says she. What
about Betty
"a lot" says ]. Haven't missed
her, eh? Well. it's high time you
did. Yes. she's down here in Chen
wick at Judd's tavern. No, not ex-
actly alone. There's a young man
with her. Oh. yes. they're clipping.
Thought you'd like to know.
Ex-i1 ylat
quite severely. I heard a sputtery
noise and nothing more for a mo-
ment or so. Then this slow. heavy
voice came IN. 1t was Pa Wickes.
Who's the man with Betty?" he
demanded
Harold Hayden" says l.
Never heard of him." says he.
HE plays the cello in a hotel
orchestra" says I. ALSO he sings"
"oh" says Mr.. Wickes. Are they
l-er-married?"
Not yet" says I. They're talk
ing of hunting up a minister tomor-
row or next day. though"
Huh says he. Say. young
woman. keep 'em there until we
CoiHe, Will you. we IL De T1Snt
down"
But it's forty miles" says I.
II know" says he. Wen make it
in little over an hour. Hold them
that long
How" says I. I'm no deputy
sheriff
II don't care how you keep them"
l., ~
HE talked in that cool. crisp way
that men have who are used to
giving orders. So 1 slipped out to
the classy roadster. turned the
switch key and tucked it under the
floor mat. Luckily thought of
that just as did. for as came back
through the kitchen I met Dunk
carrying out the bags.
Party checkin' out, says he.
where to, Dunk?" says I.
Dunno" says he. Down to the
village first, I guess. They was
askin' me could they find a preacher
down there and I told 'em about the
Rev. Trott, who's stayin' with Squire
Sweat"
did your" says I. You're a great
help, Dunk
You betH' says he. THE lady
gimme a dollar They're in a big
hurry, them too"
They're a hasty pair" says T. But
let's see how much speed they can
make"
Harold was naughty and frigid
with me as he settled for the dinner.
IF you are still curious, Miss
Dodge" says he, I'VE are on our way
to be married"
BEST wishes" says I. But some
times it's long, long trail"
Anyway. It was nearly half an hour
before Betty and Harold gave up the
search for that switch key and came
back into the house flustered and
sheepish to ask me If they might
phone for minister.
Sure" says I. Call in a bishop,
If you like"
knew that by $3.50 the Rev. Trott
would be sound asleep and that If
they could get him to come out at
all he wouldn't arrive for nearly an
hour. So they were still waiting at
10,15. when a car was heard stopping
out 'front.'
THE minister at 1ast!" says Betty,
jumping out.
NO." says I. opening the front door
and peering out into the moonlight
only the rest of the bridal party"
And with that let in tall. heavy
iaWed man with hushY eyehrnWa. nd