groomsman; I cannot officiate.

Wheeler. I'm sorry, but as to selecting another, that's out of the question. It's too late. If you remain in town I presume you will be present at our marriage.

Graef. No, that's impossible! (going)

Wheeler. It's too bad, old boy; but keep up your spirits. You had better think over my suggestion.

Graef. (at gate) Once for all, Wheeler, I tell you, I'll never do it. I'm no coward. Here in this town I was born and raised, and here I'll remain and redeem my character. I'll either live down the stigma attached to it, or die in the attempt. Exit gate C., and goes off R.

Wheeler. (with power) Curse it! Foiled again! But go he must, or I'll ruin him body and soul. I know his weaknesses, and I'll play upon them until he accomplishes my purpose. (bitterly) Oh, to get even with her father and relations has been my prayer for years. (goes to table L., and sits; picks up paper and pretends to read, but lays it aside as soon as Daisy comes forward)

Enter Daisy L. U. E.; opens gate C. and comes down.

Wheeler. Ah, Daisy, is that you?

Daisy. Yes, sir.

Wheeler. I thought you had forgotten the message I sent you.

Daisy. No, sir, but I could not come any earlier, and I can only stay a moment now. We are very busy at home preparing for the Deacon's arrival. You know Mrs. Thornton expects him to-day.

Wheeler. Yes, I was aware of it. How does Mrs. Thornton stand her loss?

Daisy. Oh, she feels terribly about it, sir. She has forbidden Miss Helen, Pete and all of us ever to mention the subject to her. Just to think that Mr. George should be guilty of such a thing! But then I don't believe he did do it!

Wheeler. (affecting surprise) Don't you? Well, I wish I could think so, too. You know he has been very wild of late.

Daisy. I know he has; but Mr. George would never do a mean thing like that.

Wheeler. (doubtingly) I don't know.

Daisy. (warmly) Well, I do. But I must be going. What did you wish to see me about, sir?

Wheeler. Did you find a watch charm or note anywhere in your house this morning?

Daisy. No, sir.

Wheeler. I lost them somewhere last night, and I'm pretty sure it was in your house. They are of no use to anybody but me. I prize the charm solely because it was a present from my mother, and the note accompanied it. Now if you find them and return them to me as soon as you possibly can, I'll make you a present of a ten-dollar bill.

Daisy. Oh, thank you, sir. I'll try my best to find them. Is that all? I must hurry back home again.

Wheeler. Yes, I believe so.

Daisy. Be careful when you see Mrs. Thornton and don't say anything to her about her loss or Mr. George. Good morning, sir.

Wheeler. All right, I won't. Good morning. (Exit Daisy, gate C.; goes L. Wheeler walks to door steps R. 2 E.; stops and faces audience) If her search proves successful, that will be the easiest ten dollars she ever earned. But suppose it proves fruitless! What then? I should be placed in a very unpleasant position. (thinks) Ah, well, it's time to worry when trouble overtakes one. I've often been more sorely pressed than I shall be by this little affair, and come out all right; and I guess I can do it again if the emergency arises. (turns quickly and starts to enter house).

Enter Read, R. U. E.

Read. (at gate outside) Hist, Matt, are you alone?

Wheeler. Yes.

Read. Then get ready, for the Deacon is coming.

Wheeler. (off steps, near gate) Where is he?

Read. Coming up the street, (pointing R.) about a square off. We missed the early stage, so there was no one to meet him. I directed him here for information as to Mrs. Thornton's residence.

Wheeler. Did you ride over with him in the stage?

Read. Yes, there was no one in the stage with us except the Deacon's boy, Billy.

Wheeler. (disappointed) Has he a boy with him? That's bad.

Read. Yes, a dull, ignorant, country lout. But he'll not interfere with your plans, for I sent him around the square, and some of the boys will be sure to detain him and have some fun with him.

Wheeler. Did you have any trouble in getting the Deacon to try your lemonade?

Read. (laughing) Not a particle. He complained about the heat and the jostling of the stage making him feel sick and giddy; so I pulled out my flask, told him I was subject to just such attacks while travelling, and that I always went prepared for such emergencies, etc. After I assured him that the flask contained nothing but weak lemonade and a harmless ingredient to give it its peculiar color, he nearly emptied it for me.

Wheeler. Did you mix your lemonade according to my directions?

Read. Yes, and if he is not jolly blind drunk inside of a half hour, then I don't know my man. His tongue was beginning to wag when I left him. But I must be off, for the Deacon is nearly here. (starts to go, but stops near L. U. E. as Wheeler speaks)

Wheeler. Read, stop a moment. Try and find Walters, and send him here inside of an hour, will you?

Read. You forget that Walters has not returned from——

Wheeler. Hush! Confound it, that's true. It takes him an eternity to do the simplest thing. Never mind, I'll attend to it myself. Get off with you now, quick. (Exit Read, L. U. E. Wheeler goes down C.) I'll let the precious booty remain in its hiding place until I start on my wedding tour, then I'll take it along with me. It's safe where it is. (crosses to chair L. of table) First I must make the Deacon gloriously drunk. Then ascertain if it be true that he intends to give Helen a wedding present of a check for ten thousand dollars; and, finally, send him to his sister-in-law's in a drunken condition. That will be triumph No. 1. (sits in chair)

Enter the Deacon R. U. E., with large umbrella hoisted, fanning himself with bandanna handkerchief. Comes to gate, opens it smiling, a picture of good humor; closes gate, shuts umbrella, and approaches Wheeler.

Deacon. (at Wheeler's side, clears throat) Are you the landlord of this hotel?

Wheeler. (pleasantly) Well, no, not exactly.

Deacon. (blandly) Of course not. Excuse me. I knew you weren't the moment I sot eyes on you. What did I understand you to say you were?

Wheeler. I'm a gentleman, sir.

Deacon. Yes, of course you are. That's just what I thought you were. I'm a gentleman, too. You wouldn't believe it, would you? (laughs and clears throat) I'm a country gentleman. I live over in Rockford county. Perhaps you have heard tell of me. I'm Deacon Thornton.