The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-08
Misfellauenns.
Prom the Albany Journal.
MASTER SeElErS El0PEMENT.

l Annie, am ~ my wis Gnu silh
90 raving distracted = cried Helen Chap
man, with n serio-comic expression of dc
spair. The way those two 20 ON is per.
fectly ridiculous. What will be the END
of il all don't know
We'll. I'll inform you. then--an elope.
ment one Of these fine days
oh. Annie. you are not in earnest" ex'
claimed Helen. suddenly becoming pre-
ternaturally grave. How could they!
They wouldn't dare. Why Minnie's only
a child
Very true the best reason in the world
for expecting her to elope. People don't
do that, YOU know, when they are old
enough To know better. Fifteen is just
the age for such nonsense
You don't know how You ffightcn me.
If she should marry him, she'd never he
happy rs long rs she lived. But what can
do? He's been here almost every day
during your visit, hasn't he? And Min
ME. romantic little goose, evident
ly flncics she's desperately in love
with him-the little tow-healled. weak
eyed specimen Of humanity
But IL is not SO very strange. Helen.
aler all. You must confess that he has
pretty f.cr, and recitcs poetry bcauti-
fully said Annie, with sly twinkle Of
the eye.
Yes, he has the face of u baby, and I'm
so sick Of his eternal dropping into poe
try that | fairly gnash my teeth when he
does il.
Then they must nc almost worn out by
| this time huvhed Annie.
But You don't know how anxious your
words have made me. This Is no laugh
ing matter. These two goslings! Such
children! They are just romantic enough
to elope. Oh, what trust il is-the sole
care ofa young sister! remem,er how
few days before dear mothers death,
she laid her thin white hand on Minnic's
curly head(the little thing was six years
old then), aud said, Take care Of her. dear
IIcleL-watch over her rs should. l
was only twclye-a mere child myself !;
but | accepted the trust and have never
forgotten it,
Don't look so distressed. dear said
Annie, 'or shallbc almost sorry that I've
said what l have
No. you needn't be sorry. for shall
keep my eyes open now-that Is all L can
do
why don't you have serious talk with
Minnie?
Have serious talk! Why, I've had 4
dozen already. but they do more harm
than good. The more I say, the more de-
family she stand up for him, and the more
tender she is towards him, the next time
they meet. That's human nature, you
know. She says don't understand his
high poetic naturer And Helen looked
rs IL she scarcely knew whether to laugh
orcry.
You must forbid him the house,. sug-
good Annie AFTER = rause.
NO. indeed. couldn't to worse. Don't
you see that that would only hasten the
catastrophe? No. discretion Is the better
part Of yalor. I assure YOU
We'll, what do you intend to do then?
'Nothing-but watch and wait, rs have
been doing. VIII you not help me"
Help YOU what? Wait or watchr
Now don't laugh. was never more
serious in my life. We must hear every
wor,l-watch every look that passes be-
tween these two. Poor foolish little sis
teri Then, suddenly relapsing from the
plying into the indignant, 4 could shake
herr
A few days after this conversation. Hell
en- mystcriously bcckoncd her friend into
the garden.
WELL said Annie, ,as the door closed be-
hind them, what is on the trpis now?
What has put You into such n state of cx-
element? Your eyes are like stars, and
your cheeks rs red rs these roses
NO? 10 look rs If had anything on
my mind? inquired Helen, anxiously.
I've been .rying Ia appear rs unconccrn-
ed as possible. But after all, she added,
mllsin.ly. 1T doesn't matter much. She
would hardly notice 1t in her present state
Of mind
Who? what2 Come, out with It!
Don't you see I'm dying of impatiencep
Lend me your ears cried Helen, with
u tragic air. I've something of the Sr'sv-
! est importance to communicate
Then, aler solemn pause, sho said in
stage whisper, opening her eyes very
wide, Il am going To elope.'
Annie's expression of open mouthcd as
tonishmcnt WAS SD lud!crous that Helen
involuntarily burst into n merry laugh.
What do you mean by saying such an
absurd thing" cried Annie, looking u lit
tie relieved
Exactly what say returned her
friend. assuming her former expression Of
mysterious gravity. Il elopo this night at
hIlf.plst nine, precisely. I've arranged
II all. Didn't you scc?'
'Scc what' Why, verify believe you
arc demcntcd.'
Not more thau the majority of woman
kind, l assure you. Then YOU didn't mo-
ticc that Herbert Seclcy handed note To
Minnie yesterday evening?
NO indeed! Did he! And | watched
them all the evening! You have eyes like
u lynx, Helenr
Il owe this discovery quite rs much to
my ears rs To my eyes. When little Sec
ley took my sisters hand Mt parting. no.
ticed that he gave her very significant
look. and rs her hand fell among Che folds
of her dress, heard something rustic
family. like paper. So after we had all
been in bed. some time. arose softly, and
having listened Mt her door. To make sure
that she was soundly sleeping, stole in
and looked about for the note, which. by
piece of good luck I hardly expected. i
found on her bureau. and read without any
trouble, the gas not being out but only
turned down. II seemed dishonorable
thing to do; but better that than To lose
my Minnie. Dear little thing-sleeping
so soundly, her rosy lips parted. and her
long golden ringlets falling about her
shoulders.
But the note; the note y
1T contained only these words, as near
ly rs i can remember: Meet me, my
bcauteous one, tomorrow night, ut ball
past nine. in the little summer-housc. A
carriage will await us at short distance.
Fail me not. thou precious angel. nor fear
TO trust thysolf To one who would die for
thee. Forever thine. Hcrbert.r
Oh. the little imbccile! So Il is as
predicted; and now what are you going
To do?'