The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-06-25

viii he tied, so stormin@ won't be of any use.
| That was long speech for Egerton to make. He
didn't talk much, as a rule.
| Every early in the morning Z" she asked.
''ren or eleven, suppose"
She was rather disappointed again. Her idea
OF an elopement consisted of escaping in the dead
OF the night out of a window, down a ladder,
with lace handkerchief tied over her head and
her lover waiting below with large cloak TO
wrap her up in; and noiseless carriage, hidden
in the distance, to convey her away. Bertie's
ideas were rather commonplace she thought
| ''You can manage it, can't you, Nell z" he
asked
"Yes; Oh, yes. Lucky thing I'm of age,
though, Berthe ~ she remarked, importantly.
She was 81 and month.
Every much So" he returned, approyingly.
"Now. darling" he whispered, "tell me when /;
one day next week, darling. Let's see, to-day Is
Iuesday,-nOw, darling tell me when shall it
be-"
Then she looked very demure, and turned
away her head, and said she didn't know: but
after much coaxing and bushing, 1t was finally
fixed for Thursday; so she had ten days to get
ready. Her marriage with old Brownlow would
have taken place two days later il it had been
going to come off.
"Tell you what, Nell, sha'n't come again,
and so you'll not see me till the morning. Can't
you go and pretend to spend the day with Mag
gle Greton ~ Maggie Greton was Nellles cro-
ME. put her up to it, and bring her with you,
and you can meet me at the end of the square"
"les, Berthe" she said. obediently. 81 sha'n't
wear my wreath after all" she added little re-
gretfully.
"No, it wouldn't be quite the thing in the
street. Besides, they might render the ceremo-
ny null and void on the plea OF insanity he re-
marked.
Il shall certainly leave it behind" she replied,
decidedly.
"All right; you bring Maggie and III bring
Welsh Illustrate fellow, Welsh good for any
thing. Those two will do famously. What IA
dear girl you are, Nell Yeu don't plague Il fell
low at all. You've got much sense more
than have, ever so much
Rather a pity, on the whole, we made Nell
accept Mr.. Brownow.' remarked Mrs Vince
when she heard of Bertio's accession. "Hc might
have proposed to you, Clara: and Nellie liked
BERTHE, fancy"
TOO late now" said Clara.
ooh, of course What would people say? l
would not do such thing for the world Be.
sides, consider all the expense we have gone to-"
~ never liked that young Egerton," remarked
old Brownlow that evening. "IIe's puppy"
"That he is not exclaimed Nellie. She did
not fear her elderly betrothed much now and
felt inclined to serve him out.
"Oh," said old Brownlow, astonished and he
put up MS GRASSES, Wnlcn were double, with a
thick, gold rim. "Ah really my dear young
lady, you are very decided in"
MY opinion. should think SO. Why, I've
known BERTHE Egerton century, and he's
brick (which was altogether an improper
speech for young lady TO make. 1t wasn't re-
spectful to old Brownlow. 1t wasn't truthful
for she hadn't known Berthe for century 1t
wasn't lady.like; for brick is a slang word
Therefore, it is not to be wondered at that as
toplshed faces turned toward her Indignantly,
and that scandalized eyes bent down upon her
sternly.
CHAPTER III.
Maggie Greton liked the idea amazingly, and |
was quite willing to help. She was her own |
mistress, and could do as she liked She had no |
mother, and her father was bookworm, and did |
not trouble much about what went on around |
him, which was convenient. The morning cam e |
and Nellie went around to Maggie's early. She |
kissed them all very affectionately before she
left home She felt frightfully wicked but She
thought of old Brownlow and would not repent. |
"There they are, Nellie" said Maggie, as a
broughain with Egerton and Welsh came around |
the corner; and they got in, and all four went |
to the church together which, of course, was |
not etiquette; but that could not be studied in |
an elopement, Nellie was uncommonly grave |
'Belieye you are frightened, Nell," whispered |
Maggie, who had been doing a side Irritation
Win NeIsll ana seemed TO ENJOY 1t.
"Well, you see, never bride before" |
she said, slowly, which was true. sit is not the
least bit romantic" she thought, as they stood |
at the altar rails. waiting for the clergyman, who
was rather slow in putting on his surplice "not |
the least. l always thought, for an elopement |
one had post.chaise, with four white horses |
two post boys, both grinning, and rose.colored |
blinds to draw drown the moment the bride and |
bridegroom were inside Suppose it is not fash. |
ionable now ; for BERTHE knows. of course.
just then the ceremony began and 80 she |
looked very frightened and subdued. A whole |
church and parson to one's.self Is enough to
subdue one.
They went off to the railway station directly
after the ceremony was over; there was no wed. |
ding breakfast They would dine at Worthing,
they said. as they sent Maggie and Welsh away
together, hungry but seemingly very we'll satis-
fed with each other, which they were.
III think I'd better write home now" said
Nell, when they were comfortably arrived at
their destination, and sitting at the window
watching the boats which jumped about on the
water. They'll get 1t tomorrow early"
"All right, darling" he said and she sat
down, and didn't know what to say.
"Do come and help me, Bertie.'
Dearest mama--Please forgive me- | know, |
OF course, | am very wicked; but | have"
81 don't know what to say next" This morn
ing been married to BERTHE Egerton. You see he
is rich now" |
Cool" said Bertic. "pray, did you marry
me for that reason? Very worldly young per- |
son y but he didn't look afraid of her motives.
VERY" nodded Nellie in Il Burleigh.like man.
ner. Wish you wouldn't interrupt You'll |
put all IDEAS out of my head, and Clara is sure |
to quiz it,"
$50 you must try and forgive me. could |