her has dropped the flag, the ceremonies are over, and after
that the struggle to supply three squares a day puts the boots to
every other worry; am I right, Gonsalvo?"

"I s'pose so, John," Bunch replied, "but it isn't a case of rattles
with me. I'm shy with the mazume, and it looks now as if that
little trip to the minister's will have to be postponed
indefinitely."

"Skidoo, skidoo, and quit me, Mr. Josheimer!" I suggested.

"I mean it, John," Bunch came back. "I can't lead a girl like
Alice Grey into the roped arena of matrimony when I haven't the
price of an omelette for the wedding breakfast, now can I?"

"Great Scott, Bunch, have you been Chadwicked for your roll ?" I
asked. "Are you the man from Ohio that was so polite he gave his
bank to the lady? If you are, it serves you right."

"No, John," Bunch answered mournfully, "but I had to go to
Washington on a business trip, and while there----"

"Wait, Bunch," I chipped in; "I've got you sized. While in
Washington you met a couple of wise voices who talked nothing but
sure-things, so you for the Bennings race track to spill your coin,
eh, Beau?"

"Well, John, I'll tell you how it was," Bunch tried to square
himself. "My roll was just five thousand strong, and I began to
wish for about two thousand more, so that I could take the little
wife over the wild waves and point out Paris and the Riviera to
her. In Washington I met a quick talker named Ike Gibson and he
played me for a good, steady listener. Ike showered me with
cinches and in short order I was down with Bennings fever. And
then----"

"I know the answer, Bunch," I sighed, "You followed Ike's clues and
finished fainting. I'm wise. But, say! Bunch, didn't you pipe me
with the neck bruises often enough in the old days to profit by my
experience? Didn't I go up against that horse game so hard that I
shook the whole community, and aren't you on to the fact that the
only sure thing about a race track is a seat on a trolley car going
in the opposite direction?"

"I know, John," Bunch replied, "but this looked awfully good to me,
and I went after it."

"Did they sting you for the whole bundle?" I asked.

"Not quite," Bunch answered sadly; "but they certainly put a crimp
in my wallet. I'm only $1,500 strong now, and that's not enough to
tip the porter on the honeymoon journey. You know, John, I'm only
drawing $100 a week from the brokerage business, and I'll get
nervous if I can't make