Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-04
TANGLED TRAILS By.

information. A wave of color was
sweeping into her soft cheeks. Ihen
Lane knew why, and the hot piood
mounted into his own. HIS gaze nu.
riedly and in embarrassment ned Ironi
Miss McLean's face.
"You don't quite understand, ne ex-
planned to the Rev. Nicodemus RANKIN.
We've come only to-to inquire apoui
some one you married--or rather 10 hnu
out Il you did marry nm; y, IS.u ws hive
reason - 70 think he was married a month
or two ago. But we're not sure.
The old man stroked his silken white
hair. At times his mind was little
hazv. There were moments when
slight fog seemed to descend upon IL.
His memory In recent years had been
unite treacherous. Not long since ne
hhad forgotten to attend u funeral at
(which he was to conduct the services
II dare say did marry your friend.
| A good many young people come to me.
The license clerk ut the court Is very
kind. He sends them here.'
"The mans name was Cunningham
James Cunningham" Kirby prompted.
"Cunningham-Cun seems
to me did marry man by that name.
Come to think of 1t I'm sure ! dlG;
To a beautiful young woman,.' the old
"Do YOU recall her name? ] mean
her maiden name," Rose said, excite =
ment drumming in her veins.
"No.o. ] don't seem quite to re.
member It. But she was charming
Young woman = very ATTRACTIVE. i
might say. My wife and daughter men
toned It afterward."
MAY I ask If Mrs. Rankin and
your daughter are at present In the
house?" asked Lane.
"Unfortunately. no. They have gone
to spend few days visiting In ldahG
Springs. If they were here they could
re enforce any gaps in my memory,
which is not all it once was.' Ihe
Reverend Nicodemus smiled apologet-
ically.
asked Rose eagerly.
The old parson brought his mine
back to the subject with a visible et'
fort. "Oh, yes! The young lady who T
I was married to your friend- ~
, paused, at n loss for the name.
. Cunningham" Kirby supplied, :,
, "Quite so-Cunningham. Well. !,
, might have been Mcleod. IL rather
: think it did sound like that :,
, Mclean. Miss Esther Mclean
! corrected the cattleman patiently. =,
t "The fact is I'm not sure about th'
D young lady's name. Mother and Eile1
4 would know. I'm sorry they're no
c here. They talked afterward about ho'
pleasant the young lady was
7 "Was she fair or dark 7!
d The old preacher smiled at Rose be
n ncvolently. 81 really don't know. ~
afraid. my dear young woman, that II
e very unreliable Witness
. "You don't recollcct any details! Fo
e instance. how did they come and di
, they bring witnesses with them"
= ''Yes. I was working in the garde
- wedding the strawberry patch. =,
y think. They came in an automobil
\ alone. Wife and daughter were II
K witnesses"
\ "Do you know when Mrs. Rank
y " and YOUR daughter will be home?'
" "I5y next Tuesday. at the latest. Per
,s haps you can call again. l trust ther
t. t. is nothing irregular about the mar
,s riage."
"Not so far rs We know. We wei
10 anxious about the young lady: She
~ friend of ours" Kirby said. b
a the way, the certificate of the marriaf
in is not on record at the courthouse. Al
you sure you returned it to the clerk
'Bless my soul, did forget thu
again." exclaimed the Reverend Nicc
l dcmus. "I'll have my daughter loo
IN for the paper as soon as she returns.
II ''You couldn't find it now, l SUI
posc,' Lane suggested.
The old gentleman searched rath
hclplcssly among the papers overfiowii
his desk. lie did not succeed In flint
= ing what he looked for.
III. Kirby and Rose walked back to &
courthouse. They had omitted to n
st range with the license clerk to forwa
u, II copy of the marriage certificate VIII
,tt it was filed.
The rough rider left the required +
rk with the clerk and bank note to Ike
his memory logged up.
,as "Soon as Mrs. Rankin comes hoT
n will you call her up and remind h
about lookin' for the ccrtitcate:'
do asked.
Mt Sure | will. I've got to have
me anyhow. for the records. And 50
DIV what's the name of that fresh guy W
came in here and cut the page fro
see the register? I'm going after him rigl
of believe you me-