“Standish,” said Van Bibber, jumping up and reaching for his hat, “pay this chap for these things, will you, and I'll get rid of your brother.” Van Bibber descended the steps lighting a cigar as the elder Standish came up them on a jump. “Hello, Standish!” shouted the New Yorker. “Wait a minute; where are you going? Why, it seems to rain Standishes to-day! First see your brother; then I see you. What's on?” “You've seen him?” cried the Boston man, eagerly. “Yes, and where is he? Was she with him? Are they married? Am I in time?” Van Bibber answered these different questions to the effect that he had seen young Standish and Mrs. Standish not a half an hour before, and that they were just then taking a cab for Jersey City, whence they were to depart for Chicago. “The driver who brought them here, and who told me where they were, said they could not have left this place by the time I would reach it,” said the elder brother, doubtfully. “That's so,” said the driver of the cab, who had listened curiously. “I brought 'em here not more'n half an hour ago. Just had time to get back to the depot. They can't have gone long.” “Yes, but they have,” said Van Bibber. “However, if you get over to Jersey City in time for the 2.30, you can reach Chicago almost as soon as they do. They are going to the Palmer House, they said.” “Thank you, old fellow,” shouted Standish, jumping back into his hansom. “It's a terrible business. Pair of young fools. Nobody objected to the marriage, only too young, you know. Ever so much obliged.” “Don't mention it,” said Van Bibber, politely. “Now, then,” said that young man, as he approached the frightened couple trembling on the terrace, “I've sent your brother off to Chicago. I do not know why I selected Chicago as a place where one would go on a honeymoon. But I'm not used to lying and I'm not very good at it. Now, if you will introduce me, I'll see what can be done toward getting you two babes out of the woods.” Standish said, “Miss Cambridge, this is Mr. Cortlandt Van Bibber, of whom you have heard my brother speak,” and Miss Cambridge said she was very glad to meet Mr. Van Bibber even under such peculiarly trying circumstances. “Now what you two want to do,” said Van Bibber, addressing them as though they were just about fifteen years old and he were at least forty, “is to give this thing all the publicity you can.” “What?” chorused the two runaways, in violent protest.