The Argosy, April 1912 — page 113: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SHIFTING the young lady here, I might begin to get suspicious of you.” “What, of Ned?” laughed Mildred. “That would be funny, wouldn’t it? The idea of a bridegroom kidnaping his fiancée the evening before the wedding! A very clever suggestion, Mr. Sheriff, only—only there is one serious drawback to it.” ‘“‘And what is that?” asked Border. “Why, the bridegroom would have no reason to kidnap the bride, since on the next day he would have her for his own for all the rest of his life.” “Oh!” exclaimed the sheriff. “So you see, your theory would fall com- pletely through. I’ve always been told to look for the motive.”’ “That’s right,” said Border. “ There’s always a motive. No crime was ever com- mitted for a lack of reason, unless through insanity. ‘The man didn’t impress you as being insane, did he?” “On the contrary,’ declared Mildred. “He seemed extremely well balanced.” The whinny of a horse broke upon their ears at that point. “Here we are,” announced the sheriff, as he unhitched the two animals. The next instant the squaw and Mildred were helped into the saddles and, the sheriff and Huntly leading the way on foot, the journey home began in earnest. It was not until then that Mildred began -to experience the reaction incident to the great strain she had undergone. It was all she could do to remain in the saddle, and she nearly fell from the horse several times. Noticing this, Border remarked: “JT reckon you didn’t sleep much last night, Miss Mildred!” “JT never closed my eyes,” replied the girl. “How could I? The squaw thought me sound asleep, but I was only pretending.” “Well, try to keep up the best you can until you get home, then you can get a good long rest without fear of anybody carrying you off again.” “T fear I won’t have much time to rest,” replied Mildred. ‘There are a number of things to be done yet.” “Oh, I forgot about the wedding,” said the sheriff. “T hadn’t forgotten,” interrupted Huntly, with an affectionate glance at Mildred. The girl made no answer. “You won’t let this little experience in- terfere with that, will you, dear?” the Easterner asked. SUSPECTS. 99 “Ned,” answered the girl, “you won’t mind, will you—since it was to be such a private affair—you won’t mind waiting another day, will you? ‘Just twenty-four hours?” | “Why, Mildred,” exclaimed the young man, “why should we postpone it?” “Can’t you see that I am utterly ex- hausted? I am sure you wouldn’t want to marry the most wretched and forlorn girl in the West, would you? <A miserable bride would not be agreeable to any one.” “But, Mildred, I can’t bear the idea of putting it off. Bad luck always follows such postponements.”’ “Oh, there’ll be no bad luck in this case,’ said the girl. “It will be good luck, for a smiling bride is much better than a weeping one, and I know that I shall cry when I get home and see mother.” Huntly was far from pleased, and his face assumed a noticeably dejected look. ‘“A very sensible idea,” observed the sheriff, “if you will permit me to express my opinion. Any girl wants to look and feel her best when she starts on her wedding trip. “Besides,” continued Mildred, “ there’s something very important to be attended to. I didn’t tell you about it, Ned, because I haven’t seen you since the telegram came.” “What telegram?” asked Huntly. “Why, from Mr. Eldridge, mother’s lawyer in New York. He is on his way out here, and is expected to arrive this after- noon, just before the wedding.” “Why, what is he coming here for?” asked Huntly in surprise. “Qh, to settle up some financial matters. I didn’t speak of it, because—because, you see mother has planned to give me some of her money—enough to last until I get my own when I come of age.” “You don’t say!” exclaimed Huntly in tones which did not disguise his pleasure. “Oh, that fixes everything all right,” he added half aloud. He was about to say something more, but stopped as he noticed the searching look fastened on him by Sheriff Border. CHAPTER XIII, ANOTHER MAN FROM THE EAST, THE quartet went on in silence for some time. Mildred and Huntly exchanged affecs Gomicdoo S CO