"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