Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1912 — Sherlock’s Elopement [ARTICLE]

Sherlock’s Elopement

By JAMES HAWKINS

Sherlock watched the dapper figure clamber over the side. He had seen him several times over at the hotel. Some one had 'said he was a South American revolutionist awaiting a fa- • ’Vorable opportunity to dash across the -Culf. At any rate he was decidedly too attentive to Leigh Granger to suit . Bert Sherlock. Apparently the little man was not accustomed to yachts for he stumbled on the ladder and would have fallen back into the boat had not one of the sailors boosted him aboard. -‘'The senor skipper?” demanded the intruder as he arranged his disordered dress. _■ ■ ’ "The same,” admitted Sherlock, with a bow. “How can I serve you?” “Much —very much,” gesticulated the other. “l am Jesus Marla Juan Santiago Alvora.” "All of that?’ murmured Sherlock in mock amazement. The other searched the grave face for possible mockery but finding none there continued: "I see you know not who that is.” “The name is imposing—but unfamiliar,” apologized Sherlock. "You see lam recently arrived. lam not yet familiar with the notabilities.” "Very true,” assented Alvora graciously. “You are not to be .blamed. But over there,” he added with a ma- - jestic sweep toward the southern horizon, “they know’ and fear the name. It brings terror to the bravest hearts.” “I can fmagihev” agreed Sherlock politely. “Yes,” beamed Alvoro. “1 have come to see you upon business. Your owner —he is here?” “My owner?” echoed Sherlock. “There is a flag they fly when the owner he is present. I have watch three day. He is not here?” “The owner’s flag is not flying,” he assented “He will be here soon, yes?” asked Alvoro. “Perhaps. I cannot say.” “Three day: a week —two weeks?” “What is it you want?” demanded Sherlock. “I would charter your beautiful boat,” explained Alvoro. “I would " elope.” “Elope? You mean escape?” suggested Sherlock—“from your enemies,” “I have said ’elope’ ” declared Alvoro, kissing his finger tips “I would elope with a goddess.” “And you want to hire the boat?” "Yes,” he exclaimed. “I must have a boat. You will take us to Bunoventa. I shall make a revolution.” “I guess I can fix it,’ declared SherJock. It would be at least a week before Frederick Granger would be gone tend he could make his presence known to Leigh. ' “Tomorrow you shall be at the point,” exclaimed Alvoro. “1 shall ride to the point Two of my men shall be there to help yours; we shall seize her. Once aboard, ho for Bunoventa! She shall marry me then and I shall be dictator.” “Perhaps her parents will object,” suggested Sherlock. “It might get me Into trouble on my return.” was the eager answef. 7 "She only objects.” “What’s the lady’s name?” demanded Sherlock. • “Granger,” announced Alvoro proudly “You mus’ know him. Yes?” “I know him,” admitted Sherlock. “He is with you?” “Mos’ hearty. His the idea is. She like a young man of the north. Granger say ‘you shall take her on to your own land. She will marjy the Presidents and forget the other.”’ “Pm with you,” declared Sherlock. “We’ll make it an elopement to live in history for quickness and dispatch.” “You are my fren’, my bes’ fren’,” declared Alvoro. “You shall be what you call admiral.” “That’s a go, too,” agreed Sherlock, “but loqk here. I can’t have your men on board. I’ve a big crew. They can follow on a fruit steamer.” “Jus' so,” agreed Alvoro. “Be then at the point at 2. I will pay SSOO in gold. Also shall you be admiral.” He tumbled into the waiting boat and Sherlock watched him across to the dock. Then, with a short laugh he turned oc his heel and went Into the cabin. This, then, was the reason his own suit had been received with no favor. Granger was fitting out a filibustering expedition. His daughter should marry the successful leather of the revolution %td the Granger line of fruit steamers would escape the heavy harbor dues. Late chat evening the Enid left her anchorage and drew off toward the point, a protqcntory some three miles to the south of the hotel heavily wooded with cocoanuts and palms. He anchored on tbe further side, and at noon he and his mate went ashore and Concealed themselves in the bushes.. it was s'long wait until the senor and Leigh Granger made their appearance on horseback, followed by the senor’s body servant. At the sight of the boat Alvoro's eyes lighted up. He reined in his horse and turned to his “It was today,” he began, “that you wax tell me that you marry me Say, It it not yes?” ••Never,” was the tam answer. ”1 have told you repeatedly that I shall ‘ never marry you.” “An’ I tell you that you he ghouted as he forced his horse against

hers. The shock half unseated her and as she reeled Iff the saddle two men with masks over their faces sprang..toward her. Fur a moment she fought them off, but she was no match for two muscular men, and before Alvoro could dismount and come to their assistance they were carrying her to the boat. __They placed her, fainting, in the stern. Alvpro leaped into the bow and with strong strokes they pulled toward the yacht. It was the work of a moment to pass Leigh over the side and boost Alvoro after her. In another moment the tender was slung and the screw began to chum the blue-water, Alvoro pranced up and down the deck in jubilation of spirits. Already, in imagination, he could see himself, the victor of the army, ruling in tile executive mansion at Marino. Already two of the Granger fruiters bad started from New Orleans with small arms and field pieces. For a year his agents had been working to perfect an organization. It needed only arms and the men. Both were on the way. He peered toward the south while yet the Florida coast was in sight, vainly seeking a glimpse of the promised land. Suddenly eight bells rang and the new watch came on deck. The .skipper came out of the chart house and stood looking down. At a signal two of the men sprang upon the little man and bore him to the deck. In spite of his diminutive size he was no coward, and he fought fiercely to draw his guns, but it was no use. Presently he lay panting on the deck, bound hand and foot. Sherlock came and stood over him, “The elopement is getting along famously," he smiled cheerfully. “This is treason,” stormed the little man. “I am mos’ surprise that you should act thus.” “I don’t think I care to be admiral, thank you,” was the retort. “I think I would rather marry that young woman in the cabin." “But she is mine.” stormed Alvoro. “You shall be a thief to take her.” “Seems to me we helped you to do a little stealing a short time ago,” suggested Sherlock. “If the shoe gets on the other foot It ought to fit as easy." "But she is mine,” pleaded Alvoro. “Her father have gave her to me. He will be annoyed." “1 can quite understand that,” laughed Sherlock. “He wiU certainly be annoyed with you.” “Non, with you,” Insisted Alvoro. “He is a mos' big man. He Is a millionaire.” This last was in a hushed whisper that brought the smile to Sherlock’s lips. “I’m a millionaire, too,” he ex plained pleasantly. “You are- Sherlock?” gasped Al voro. “At your service,” agreed Sherlock. “But your flag said it was not you,”, gasped the senor. “You should have had your flag if you were on board.” I‘iEhern were pureTy~~personal rea_-_ sons why I did not want to fly the pennant," explained Sherlock. The sendr resorted to Spanish to relieve his feelings. Sherlock, who spoke the tongue, smiled. “I don’t blame you,” he laughed. “It’s turning the tables. Now, look here. You’ve been useful to me. I tell you what I’ll do. You show me the part -of the coast where you can get the boats that are waiting for you, and I'll put you off. That will make it a nice little honeymoon trip for us." “Who will marry yon?” exulted Alvoro, “You forget” ; “Why, Miss Granger,” explained Sherlock. “You have no minister,was the triumphant retort “I shipped one last night,” laughed Sherlock. “Would you like to come down and witness the ceremony?” Alvoro glanced at his bonds. At a sign from, Sherlock a sailor stepped forward and undid the lashings, at the same time feeling for any concealed weapons. Together the two men made for the cabin, where Leigh sat. For a moment Alvpro hung in the doorway, then be went forward and bowed low over the girl’s hand. “I had hoped,” he said, “that it would be our nuptials we would celebrate. I felicitate you, though my heart—it breaks.” With a smile the girl thanked him and turned toward Bert. Alvoro sprang forward. “At least,” he said gallantly, “it should be mine to give away the bride; Your father he has give you to me. Now 1 give yon to Senor Sherlock." He drew from his pocket a handsome ring. "It was all provided.” he explained. “To the victor belongs the spoils." The girl looked at Sherlock, who nodded, and with the ring intended for so different a groom, the wedding was celebrated. Alvoro insisted upon champagne at the dinner that followed He was of too, mercurial a temperament to grieve over -disappointed hopes. At last he sprang to his feet. “1 offer a toast,” he cried: "To yourselves and my seif; to the runaways and the revolutionist. May .1 tmve -plenty of fights and mgy you have none ” And the old clergyman, sitting .part, whispered gently, "Amen.”