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Show The Romance of a Gallant. BY LOUIS J. VANCa ,!f nlchird Dorrance, meditatively rolling a cigarette, cart about him an ilng Sla e r - .ct c jUntry," ho drawled to nobody In particular, though Tom Darby ,. land to h ar. "orange sunshine on the jellow .and?, migenta shadows, ' rirlne ( '. luxuriant fobl-ngo to beat all creation. This heats tossing on board a jacht, anyway. Think 1 II marry a native and settle down ,,un out mv AiV I" W" Z n ''"" Ue n"d nol'ptd over on hls back' nourishing heavenward inrtM rS lmmiculatcly white duok-clad legs. Tom Darbj ie-.nted the I!nt ' ' n C VlUd holery, nn'1 srowled' y In a resentful rc had b n most comfy nbo-ird DorrancCa private acht. the beau , ar i i no earthly reason why ho should have been dragged there- ',! rr " " mot ,he "teaming "hallows to the end that they might lufo th dge of tho beich Moreover, he was nthlrst. X r t a d.lnk In sight," ho said crossly, "nor a suggestion of a "V r' lnl tn0 J"iPlnP-" I'lacc. And well bo caught In tho . ihur ' storm. If I'm not mistaken." "nuiwil"' ou m"n'" , , BrsMe m h wcnt on dcna""y. 'snoring tho correction,, "who'd have 1 1 iik t k " " ' -Thais c . il fnl; "I nnd some one" He raised his olce and chanted. -luimtl inn rl h nnd of distinguished appearance, desires a wife. Ob- ntrin"i No trlflersi " narH 'Jrt ' "n1 resllm', h,a ''Isgutted contemplitlon of Dorrance's ii lie v.i about to make on unpleasant remark when both became aware L rr "t a third person Ho f'i r P" ,here 1ule,ly Darh- eould never understand, but she jbc'oi uem. trim and nent and most desirable, In a chlo muslin frock, , , cam 5 norel hat of dome sort, with ribbons, perched saucily a-top , br n hair Drown ejes she had, too, and the ery devil of mis-t mis-t lurkl g in their depths, nnd losy lips, with the shadow of mirth In ' rr , r rb believes that her nose. Is tlp-tllted. Just tho least bit. but ,,,, lfr in nsert It. At any rntc, she was entirely to be adored with ,on lilt ri t5n through the leaves and dotting her with little blurs of norran wis on his feet In nn Instant, and you may believe that Tom m u n (' behind him. Tho two stood llko Idiots, gaping at her as -thai i' ni d from heaen. And she might have that, but the dancing . ntre ac ' lho "'eory sh, giim d from "" nn0 ,0 ,he other, apparently enjoying the situation , eseij S.h fairly laughed when nt last sho said: Good e nine gentlemen " Both "arm "' Incoherent responses nnd then the young lady calmly rttd at Dornnce with the tip of her dainty pirisol. Illrr rrj 011 ' "M lle- "ne m'Kht have been asking him to tea. put Pornn e wns ever more ready than Darby and lucky. It Is but fair rute tint T m was staggered, but Dorrancel I na convinced of that when I laid eyes on you," he said, bowing. Just so ' "ie laughed And then Tjrby found his tongue. ' -Perhaps jouvo overlooked me." ho said, timidly. ''Dorrance Is all ery but I have my points " Ho stuck out his chest, loutlng low and with a ill! ITwyre well covered," said Dorrance, hastily. tthlih ou h reby respectfully submit to my confederation?" she asked. I io, lut ou'rc a trlllo lite. Mr r Dorrance, I think ou said? Mr. ante jk 1 first " Parbj p nt cd. "Dut ho ncvor Imiglned " 0 lut I did,' Dorrance Interrupted, unblushlngly. "I've expected this t aloi j Of c urss he has," sho added, ncvercly. 'That was very ungallant of Darby colhr-i'd ho had never lcirncd to accept defeat gracefully. Just my lu k ho moaned "I never raised a llttlo dog, and learned to In i It I own eves but what" 0 (y up said Dorrance, ungraciously enough. "IKSslde, you have It t" Tom Dirb' sulked The maiden evod Dorrance somewhat approvingly. reunwd h r gazo with admiring Interest, but sho kept her countenance tbose e3 would damn divinely. Neither spoke till uho extended a tiny 1 nlth a firm, pink palm. One along ' Hho -ild, "since wo aro to be married." Eur at vnur service" And he took tho hand. Squire .r nirs' ' Tom Darby snapped But jou are dlsigroeible," sho said wonderlngly. Dont mind him," Dorrance said soothingly; "no cannot Justly blame Twymovd off hind In hnnJ. Darby remained motionless, In high dud-the dud-the aftal iv so distinctly prcposteroux-nnd tho girl was so distinctly y II 1 rl Dorrance luugh, nnd there was a familiar clan to his tone a -c I Duti th it hli friend wns ripe for any absurd adventure. More-D. More-D. , t n' ws to the pin of curiosity. lie relented sufficiently to per- I' ov his shoulder, they wero quite some distance away, dlsip-mr dlsip-mr ar in i a bend In tho beach. Ho ran after them, shouting. They i inl w ilte I JIi)nt I como too," he pleaded humbly. I! jou II b nlre," she stipulated. Arl he ran be best mm," said Dorrance, tentatively. om( i i Darby, generously, ' that's porno consolation! But Dick, Beau fiai ant7 ' Bctr'r thn Hciu," said Dorrance, warmly. Ho looked out to sea; the t ! rriring steadily up against tho breeze. "Hendricks can take caro "i nzhi TiraVt every diy a fellow gets mtrrled" ,o I- fi Tom Dirby assented heartily, and followed them; at least udf Dornnrc through, even should ho fall to Keep him fiom egregious Acl he hlni""lf was falling Into tho mail humor of tho proceeding, ruth Doi ranee began over his shoulder. . h- l )Iy flanree sir" ' 0' Introduce mr she said demurely. Ruth th i my chum, Mr. Tom Darbj " Tnomas I -nrton Dir " Tom-mv r mnl-ed bride, Miss Iiutb. Wharton." ,,'rl1,arly ,,owe,l' ,l'1'' "mo over a pink nnd white confection of a ' wr'Vllv if Dick did which nf lourso wns monstrous If he actually lln h h was open to congratulation. Rath" rail nominee, 'Is taking us to her ancestral home. Wo nro to i Mr pat -ii uncle, Mr. Henry Wharton, this evening. At present ho ts i Naturally rv wants her family to Inspect her choice. I promise to '""rc unni us to jour chnructcr; I'll nnlntaln a most discreet-' AM rhnnln- slleiue. I prefer that ou talk." 'IH not fir ,. faM nulh alk ha made mo thirsty," Dirby complained. .. na ll" " Tcompll ihed the Inevitable," Dorrance remarked loftily. '"' k lri,1nd from the beach, pishing through a sparse belt of M 1 n- ri rged upon n narrow strip of sandy road. Opposite then- was wl stDTi wall surmounted by broken glass and boasting u rickety, "of n .rno tilr(0 pioiiRherl ncross to thli nnd entered fairly spa- na we y pt grounds Mngnnllas and shrubbery grew here nnd thero cr,r,S" ro wero In blossom; lliero were prim llttlo beds of old- N fine- nlsn n en HI roil Htag, scercl weather beaten, lho tlnklo '"'' m a hidden fountain nun eiy gi iteful to Tom Darbj's cars. At 'ia fC '" '"' "1U8,lt fcllnipsen of whlto torlnlhlnn columns, evidently nit r i m'"s1"" Darhj misgivings vanished under tho Influence of J' n If nuth were hell to such a stately property, then Dor-l Dor-l Mirnn was plainly favored of tho gods otori ii "" ""'"irkalilo young lady was setting a pnee that was quite '""We fnr i irl. who was and Is plump (let us say), and firmly rttlt f"1,n nt any ,lme' p" """ h0 fe" somewhnt In the rear and heuai i m1" 'y r"'"'0,"lMu 'hat tho two should converse In tones so low i puffln (n nfar neer n wonl NeverthelesH, he persevered though with ihad5 "' W"B l'rclic"tl rewarded with an cisy chilr upon a bioad, ii., 'n'11 n"d left there, Dorrance and his precious Ruth enter-f, enter-f, ' cri" 'Rel In the most earnest of cnnverfnllons. Darby felt hor-d hor-d w th ln'1 "'" nf ''rawing till, to his huge delight, an aged negro np-lu np-lu a tr iv nnd Rlasses Ho forgot his sorrows In the rattle of cracked ,0p.llJ', rhndowH slowly lengthened on the lawn; i fitful gulf breeze l,th ''", 'he heated air; n nightingale sang plal. vcly of a lost love, If tin nU' " ""lvl "'"' "adness. Ho begun to feel very sorry for ' i nnc Cl1 '"r 'llln lle """ XPry ""e'eiH In this world; even Dor-r Dor-r qui k ,j ,urn on llnli nlg c0,01)t f,,,,!, for the smllo of a total 'His r,"r " "'"''iwa cimo the murmur of voices, a steidy monotone ..","' "img but lovu'n sweet sllenc. What on earth did It all I, ,. y. ''irbyn gliss was empty; ho contemplated It mournfully and rrir ' " '" rt,ul " ,,c realized thnt ho was ery hungry. fa n ! '"" out nl"UI'tly and seated himself on tho railing of tho 1(r "a"i iBiioicd him; he was offended to the last degree, rinally, fry Hu u'" ' ln u ' 'io al 1; "they'ro excellent." lry ir i e n l",ri"l criature, lorn." tun ' lr "nirplj, Dorranio'a tone vvn strange. Ho found him " u uvi ' ml "n ,"1tI' ttuculent expression which was at vailanco N'Ho t'"1 "ontentmont, ot nprv n v,ax 'rmeil. 'What's up? I Nl a n m '" ' a,omp ,.lc '" l0,t In ndlpose tissue" Ho promptly belled himself by I vva,,. i-I aM ''lasted anxiously, "Whit's up7' ilw a i tunce, It's Just this, old fellow, the uncle of this 'lsi tr.,,5"1" ,n'i"tlied?" Darby grinned In hollow fashion. Ift Ir " 'nd Ktrlnusl " iia i , ""' "Th of comprehension; ihlt might cxilaln why Dor-Ian Dor-Ian u , n,""ly solonin. 1,1 ' ii r, ', '. " "n"' Intf nil to commit mntrlmonyr' rj . ' ,' "!' before morning." ' J'k.t h "lelplessly, CJ( o ilt r lo"' '"l "tide, Ilci.y Wharton, as near as I ran b ugh. paced scoundrol" 1st t0 '". rtrimniirT C'uanl" 'by , ... V!" 'nfmnul Idlotl itulh " H " his jieui hopelessly. Dorronco fixed him with a stern ,M U'h ' h MUoni i Jnal'J nlh determination, "I" heiress to a peck of rrop-'V rrop-'V 'mo , " "he's nn orphan nnd old Whuiton Is her guardian. She .mt n,na "nwhen sho a IS, nnd sho will bo that tomorrow." lW '" ' if i, nr Jua-dian ' arrlw bcfor, l,"lt' nn"tenlna ot her Inheritance re- Hero Darby grew befuddled .T'fnwh) in heavens name does she want ou?" Is nriiiiTA .ow that he d0"' f!tPt as an alternative. This amiable umle a rnniA? . . u l mony ttanl i" Ket her married-even tried to force her Into Pet or ,. ,"0, ll rMl dlh ort of fellow. Tetter by name Now that matter" accordlns t0 lluth Sho doesn't want him, nor nobodv, for "Not even jou?" "Not cv en me " Is tliHi?K.U?i?u know?" ne nuerled archly from the doorwaj-. And Darby rich . hJ !?' ,a nrel"" Pctu" never was. than she mide framed In Its rich, somber darknesa 'Are we not engiged"' though !T the wod-"Ce CrleJ IC"cntl- '1U lmo ou " oU'" lc . .,, l,' "?' "-"by exclaimed, hastily, "I m a modest man. Clo on with the pioi, i egln to see a light" t..'.'?!'; 'hen." Ullln took l"' ,he thread of narrative, "as a last resort, he escan, LTt 'me I""11 hore from -Mlinla. knowing that t ,ould never 7ilh,Ln . .u ncXtr ll,0,)Kht It's twentj mlleq to the nearest village--'(" to ,h ""rest railroad 1 could not walk It If I tiled nnd CuHiis nlnili .ntch on me' The horses uncle look with him when he left thn n nn,i,,Sn,,ii,th;t he would return thl, evening 1 am positive tint ho means to bring biuk with him this odious Mr. Tetter and a clergyman" Tivo nnd two" said Dirby ."AinilnndI. knmi ou 'hought me a bold creature this afternoon but 1 dear 1,7!?"; nelple,,. 1 could not think what to do. You will help me kuere,ArefV0,r;?-,,0nt 0U7' A"a bfl," " ' "" U0W" " h" II. ,2? ? cmbirrassed thnt he Jumped ns though she hid klied him live j oar, ratcrnal lonc' 1,caKns with the matured Judgment of twentj- with'nT?"?; my dcar'. ou may rely on " lle was ' "ne conceit wmi hlmtvlf for that speech. , ' O, thank jou ' ivh0t "'....NU nt. ""',". Darby n11"el'' that he restrained hlmwlf from !hi ?'. ., '' my l,ear Ile n11ca wlth a lellevlng inplratlon. 'Then the best hlng we can do Is to get right aboard the licau Gallant?" ..:. i n a 'housand jeirs," said Dorrame llrmly. hj V ""ll7" CCd h'm curlou,ly'' 'Vso tt hetter pi in," he said nt length. w'l1 !' !?" ,ou,lal"- ror the present, jou stay here; I'm going to trot down to the beich and signal Hendrlcka Wo dine aboard tonight, jou and I." Units a mercy. At whnt tlmeV Hut Dorrance was gone "lie Is Juit splendid. Isn't he?' said Ruth -nBJil Dorrame'- (with a start), O, jes, hes all right. If ou marry him-" ivo promised" She hung her head ln such sweet confusion that Tom uiroy wns ihoil than ever envious Hut he will not hold jou to that promise." Indeed," she flamed, defiantly, 'he has the right." "I wish I had, ' inld Dirby. He's u lui ky dog" Here he suddenly execuled'a backward leap of some several feet Ruth naa whipped out from beneath her skills a small revolver. To Tom Dirbv its size nppioxlmated that of a cannon. ,.Hl0re"' c.tl!' h0 crled' "You can have him. I'm not thinking of inter-icnng inter-icnng lion t. Tor a moment her surprls waa only equalled by his own. Then she bo-gan bo-gan to laugh convulsively. , 'Take It," uho gasped. "It's for ou." Darby was suspicious "What for?" ho Inquired ' "You might need It should uncle Henry come. He he would be angry" Darby npproiched and took tho weapon gingerly. 'Is It loaded."' ho asked, with trepidation. ' ' Of course." "Very well, then" (In resignation). Ho deposited It mftly upon a table convinced that nt any second he might becomo an Involuntary suicide and retired to a distance. Ruth fled Into the hallway. Darbj ejed the revolver ukancc and voro softly, sighed and lit a cigarette. Twilight wns falling. And from behind him came stilled mirth Come 10 o'clock on a cool, stnrllght night, and the Iienu Onilint waa speeding speed-ing westward, under a full head ot oteam. To tho north loomed tho dim. low const of Alabama. In the saloon was assembled a motley party, to a champagne supper, of which Dorramo and Tom Darby formed the only self-wtlsllcd members tho others being plunged In deepest gloom, desplto nil attempts to enliven them I Irst. Mr. Henry Wharton, nged ln yeirs nnd sin If his countenance 'bo al owed as evidence-glowering evilly across the tablo at Darby, whom ho had mistakenly conceived to bo tho moving spirit of tho enterprise: then Mr letter, joung and weak-wiled, lacking excuse for his existence, but mightily impressed with his own simulation of rakish worldllncss, lastlj-, n. pale frightened fright-ened person, a clergymnn by his cloth, but deep in tho clutch ot a raging ihlrst for strong drink, these were the unwilling guests. Mr. Whurton addressed himself to Tom Darbj-, who was contentedly en-gaging en-gaging the breast of a tender chicken. Mr. Wharton shook n, lean flat framed In soiled linen at him. 'Ill have tho law on you!" ho cried, quivering with rag. "You'll find jourig mnn, that this Is not a country where you can kidnap yes. kldnapl ' Itacefui citizens at jour will, and not surfer for It." t "I wish," said Darbj-, calmly, "that jou wouldn't wear jour cuffs more than a week at a time; you i.poll my appetite." Mr. Wharton fumed, speechless Tetter laughed. "He's right there, pop." he said. Irrevcrcntlj. "Rut don't sou think jou are a llttlo lawless?" he added to Dirbj. - "Not nt all," Dorranco Interposed, smiling indulgcntlj-,)C"lho parson will be witness that jou camo wllllnglyi" The parson raised expostulating hands. "At the pistol's point.- he pro-tested, pro-tested, very truthfully. t ' i v ..',Non,CneI ,1Iaeanlher." The pirson held out his gla to tho offered 1 L ', ,!"".e.ly 'njI'eJJou to a stag on my wedding eve. and jou came with alacrity, though I did understand that jou had a pressing engagement" ...... parson mlled faintly. Mr. Aharton attempted to control hlmsHf. Ill tell jou what." be said, speaking slowly and qulcklj-, "If jou'll take us back Immediately III glvo jou J100O." Dorranco laughed and shook his head. "Tlflccn bundled?" i "You ante too low," Tom Darby suggested. "Threo thousand." he snarled. 'O, mako It worth while, and Til raise jou, Top," cried Fetter "Five." "No," said Dorrance. , 'Ton. then, ill glvo jou tcnl" J'. ' J Mr. Wharton's hands were trembling ilolently. Dorranco politely filled his glass for him. Ho tossed It off cagcrlj-. , 'Twenty?' ho pleaded. ' "Whe-evvl" Darby whistled. "I had no Idea the stakes were so high" Mr. Wharton hesitated; every moment vvna now of consequence. He slut, tcrcd polnful1j "Tl-flf-flfty thousind," ho managed to say. -i i Dorrance rose nnd looked at his watch. "You have no security to offer but jour word." ho said wearily, "and that Is worthiest." Mr. Wharton's Jaw moved loosely, hut no sounds came. ' Moreover," Dorronco continued, 'I don't need jour money, nor do I "111 havo the law on you," Wharton repeated sullenly; hope was dead In his brensl. "I wouldn't If I wero jou And jou will not. This Ii rather a noisome buslne,s which jou've attempted-and failed at; your credit would suffer wero It known. So, jou will say nothing I'm happy to Inform jou that jou'ro too lato. It's 11 o'cloik. and jour ward will bo her own mistress In ono hour" Dorranco walked to tho door and gavo nn order. The engines began to chug more slowly and the Heuu Gallant camo almost to a standstill Mr Wharton sputtered threats nnd obscenities ' "I believe jou were right," mid Donunte to him; "wo do not deslro lour company nftcr all Tome on deck. Til put jou ashore now." Tho four followed him. ..,.."TI",.t '" )M'1"" he "aid. Indicating a haze of light on the northern horizon. "Thero Is a landing hero nnd a fair rond, by hard walking you should reach It ln the early morning Thenco jou can get homo by noon, If you re luckv Hut by that time lluth nnd I will be married" y' 'Ho, that's jour game," Tetter sneered. "I thought jou didn't caro for the nionej"." r "Mj dear sir." said Dorrince, unmoved, "when jou havo associated will, decent people for any length of tlme-lf you ever do-jour thoughts mav i. of some consequence. At present jour opinion Is ot absolutely no moment" "lho boit Is ready, sir," n mnn leported. 'm "And now, gentlemen. I thank jou for tho pleasure which jour company has nltorded me O, not a woid, slr"-to .Mr. Wharton-' the obligation is rn tlrely on mj side, flood evening" He was bowing them over the sldo when n thought struck him "O, paison! I quite forgot; we may need jour services' Do not go."' So th parion stnyed-most willingly. It seemed to Darby. And tho llenn (lallant turned tall on the lights of Mobile, picked up her boat nn sleiimed swlftlj bnik over her course. al nmI Tin- dawn found the juiht swinging lazily at anchor. Mr Dornnco ram. on deck, refreshed bj a bath and n breakfast, jet with a corking doubt for a background to Ills thought He received nn linmedlalo Impression thnt n I niluro wns rhuckllng I,, huge enjojmeiit of his predicament The Jllllna wave lets, tremulous with living gold, tho whirling eddying breeze; tho deep ten dcr beauty of the sk, decked sparsely with shreds of mist, tho for rearluw of Hie southern landscape, palpitant with tho touch of spring, to him till wrn laughing wiftly ns nt n sunessful practical Joke Kven the mocking birds were tiuo to thel, reputation gleefully chnillng him from tho pines. Ho leaned upon lho rail, scowled and lit a cigar, hurling complicated oaths down nt tho caieless sea Here, nn hour Inter, the slothful Darby found him. Well,"' irled Darby genlilly, 'for nn expectant bridegroom" nominee favored him with a heavy glire. "Hi Idegroom," ho said slow I), 'bo elernilly " "What' Whs, but jesterdiy " "Wns jeslerdij Today Is unother matter. I'm In the devil of a fix" ' 'The hdj hasn't tint word refusing jou?" anxlouslj', "No. that's Just the trouble" i , Dirby grinned blindly nt the universe. ' Dorrance," ho propounded, "Is tho silt of llfo and Its savor. Without Ono escapes the holy bonds of matrlmonj. Tom, without exception jou uro lho most unmitigated " Ho broke off "I'm going nshore and bo over with It Como along ' '1 II stand mound oblivious ot no lovers' tryit. You shall go alone" And io this he stuck Bo tint the rest Is only henrsaj-, but strongly sup-ported sup-ported by circumstantial cvllente Sho was seated by the splashing fountain when ho met her, Sho did not hear Ills footsletps, but int Idlj dabbling her hand In the water, lost In reverie. A school of little goldfish, gaping for rations, nu armed to her linger tips. O!" she rrlol, with a rueful smile, seeing Mm before her. 'l'vo icturned," he raid, awkwardly, and lost tho power of coherent thought, "I see jou have." Sho laughod confessedly and rose. "You you had no trouble-wero In no danger?' "Not in the least. I'' The unavoidable grew wtartllngly Imminent. "You'v s bten safe, I trubtf ""'. 'Thanks to jour kindness jes," A pause; thsn: "I I dont know how to thnnlc jou, Mr Dorrance" "Mr Dorrance," he repeated, foolishly. He rushed desperately in where both had feu red to tread. 'There Is tho way' "I 1 of course, I" "Ivo no desire, you understand that Is to say" Ml. then we nro agreed! ' Her tone was haughty as a princess." ' Hut I dldn t mean" ho floundered j 'You made jour meaning pliln, sir1' 'Mnto jou feel thnt way about It" Ho turned to go ' O, one moment I I do not wish that you should think mo unrratoful Indeed, I nm not You havo done me a tient service, and" "And the rewnrd?" 'Why I scarcely know jou?' "I haven t claimed I ' "I am sensible that i my word." i , "Hut jour henrt?' Rho olgheil "M ...alno mine" i "I knew that " 'To bestow O" Sho had been tojlng with her ring a tiny affair studded with a single stone. It had slipped tmm her lingers and splash d In the fountain. Dorranco was Instant to plunge I lu to lho elbow. 8ho was no less quick. Their hands init. He had the ring, he retain. 1, also, the hand "Am I ever to bo jour debtor''' she pouted petulantly. 'I hold thit which can make you my iiedllor forever" She flushed And tho day waa not peer to her loveliness. "Wo could never agree," she said thoughtfully, "You nro so" "fo v Cannot jou understand?' He shook his heud I am v try dense, I wish I did" The long lashes swept low upon her theck, ho tried In vain to swo beneath them, "Won't jou tell me7 O" she flashed Impatlentlj, "jou havo never asked me Am I to fall Into jour nims ot my own accord, sir? You never even said jou wanted me not that jou jou ' ' 'Ruth, Ruth," ho cried with Infinite Joyful comprehension He carried the tiny, dripping hand to his lips. "Jlut I do love jou," ho pleaded tenderly. ' Will jou many ino'" Sho was purposef ull j deliberative. Tlnallji i "No," sho slid ' Hut she had tried to look him steadily In the eyes, and her own were dear traitors, t f i |