Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-15
'No, I don't intend mooo to run away with

NO, uOu iQLcuu WOW W Iuu away Will
her."
"But you'll never get her without. You are
Freemason, and old Mr. Anderson is hostile
| toward the whole fraternity. He declares thai
it is secret organization for political purposes
and that its tendency is the destruction of oul
Government He would as quickly let his
daughter marry traitor as Freemason, he
says
"Ah!" said the young man, respondingly.
'And now, Cousin Cot, if you don't run
away with her, how are you going to marry? p
I'm sure don't know he said, stroking
his chin thoughtfully. Il look to you to en-.
tighten me upon that point.
''Well, you II have to run away. see no
other chance for you. -.
"Why, how provoking! With her you have
been so madly in love with all along. Won't t
you do it, Cousin Cot?'
Yes, to be sure will run with her to the
ends of the earth, if need be. .
II knew it, | knew it, cried the girl, bring
Ing her small white hands together II knew
it, although you just now said you WASH t going
to marry Rosalie under any such circumstances
A fig for circumstances when anybody is dread
fully in love. "
''Dreadfully in love-" echoed Cotton
We'll, it's all arranged. I'm to go along,
toO. always IHOuguC tHdt IL WOulu Ue uue
fun to be In a runaway scrape.
Certainly you are to be there, Phele. l
couldn't get married if you were not present" f;
and Cotton Mather stopped over and took her
hand.
''Yes am to be bridesmaid. But when are
you going to see Rosalie about all this p
'NeUer!' said the young man emphatically.
"Never, Cousin Cot? How on earth can you
get married without letting Rosalie know it p
l am curious to know
''Very easily, L m thinking. It's little mat
ter to me whether she knows about it or not"
'sWell, if she don't know about it, who must,
then?'' said the girl, beginning, for the first
time, to feel that she had ratified on until she
had, perhaps, placed herself in an awkward
position. who is to know about your wedding,
Cousin Cot ?"
'You-you only. Cousin Phele If you will
only enter into my plans we can have quiet
home wedding, in spite of old Mr. Anderson's
i'll will to the Freemasons Perhaps, after ALL
he will let his daughter attend as a guest You
must be the bride instead of the bridesmaid,
Cousin Phele That will obviate all difficulties.
That is the only important change | care to
suggest In your arrangements;
The rich crimson blood rushed all over the
girls face and neck and she drew her hand
away from him hastily, and held it to her eyes.
Mel me the bride?" she murmured; 'and
you all along so dreadfully in love!"
Cotton laughed one of his peculiar laughs,
and took her hand again.
Yes he said, ''all along dreadfully in love,
but never with Rosalie Anderson. That was
your own supposition, remember. Say Cousin
Ophelia, shall we have wedding in spite of
old Mr.. Anderson hatred to the Freemasons p
The blushing creature thought seriously upon
the subject for while, and then said archly,
'It never will do to let the enemies of Free
masonry break up weddings in any such way.
If you can't get Rosalie Anderson, why,
suspect shall be obliged to marry you myself
| had never thought of that way of getting over
the difficulty. To be sure, a home wedding a0aH
look much more respectable than runway
match and, moreover, grandmother says that
never turn out WELL
The young man drew her to him, and said
'Old Mr.. Anderson may whistle his spite to
the wind Well have wedding of our own,
Phele dear, and leave the Andersons entirely
out, 1t was happy thought to get over the
difficulty thus. only ask that the wedding
may be fastened, for you know | have long
been 'dreadfuy in love.
The wedding was fastened. Before Rosale
returned from the Falls, Ophela was Mrs.
Royastone.