The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-19
MASTER SEELEY'S ELOPEMENT.

"Annie, am at my wits end I shall 60
raving distracted !" cried Helen Chapman, with
serio-comic expression of despair. THE way
those two so is perfectly ridiculous. What
will be the end of it all, l don't know"
s'Wel, I'll inform you, then-an elopement
one of these fine days.
8"Oh Annie, you are not in earnest " excaim-
ed Helen, suddenly becoming preternaturally
grave. How could they? They wouldn't dare.
Why, Minnles only child"
every 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 nom
sense"
"You don't know how you brighten me- If
she should marry him, she'd never be happy as
long as she lived. But what can 1 do 4? He's
been here almost every day during your visit,
hasn't he: And Minnie, romantic little goose,
evidently fancies she's desperately in ioye with
him-that little tow-headed, weakened speci-
men OF humanity
"But it is not very strange, Helen, after ALL
You must confess that he has pretty face and
recites poetry beautifully" said Annie, with a
sly twinkle of the eye.
ayes, he has the face of baby, and I'm so
sick OF his eternal dropping into poetry that
fairly gnash my teeth every time he does it,"
time" laughed Annie.
"But you don't know how anxious your words
have made me. This is no laughing matter. The
two goslings. Such children They are lust
romantic enough to elope Oh, what trust it
is-the sole care of young sister! l remember
how q few days before dear mothers death she
laid her thin white hand on Minnie's curly head,
the little thing was six years OLD then,) and said
Take care of her, dear Heen-watch over her
as should ! only twelve--a mere child
myself; but accepted the trust and have never
forgotten it."
"Don't look so distressed, dear" said Annie,
cor shall be almost sorry that I've said what |
have
"No, you needn't be sorry; but l shall keep
my eyes open now-that is all can do"
"Why don't you have serious talk with
Iinnie?"
"Have serious talk. Why, I've had dozen
already, but they do more harm than good
The more say the more defiantly she stands
up for him, and the more tender she is toward
him the next time they meet That's human
nature, you know She says don't understand
his high poetic nature" And Helen looked as
it she scarcely knew whether to laugh or crv
"You might forbid HIM the house." suggested
Annie, after pause.
'No, indeed; / couldn't do worse Don't YOU
see that that would only hasten the catastrophe:
No, discretion is the better part of valor, as
sure you"
''Well, what do you intend TO do them
"Nothing-but watch and wait rs I have
been doing. Will you not help me z"
"Help you what: Wait or watch !"
"Now, don't laugh. l was never more serious
in my life We must hear every word-watch
every look that passes between those two. Poor,
foolish little sister," THEN suddenly relapsing
from the plying into the indignant, ~ could
shake herr
A few days after this conversation Helen mvs.
teriously beckoned her friend into the garden
'Well," said Annie, as the door closed behind
them, what is on the taps now. What has put
you into such a state of excitement? Your
eyes are like stars, and your checks as red az
these roses"
''No! 90 l look a. if had anything on nv
mind :" inquired Helen anxously "l've been
trying to appear as unconcerned as possible.
But, after all, she added musingly, ut doesn't
matter much. She would hardly notice it in her
present state Of mind"
"Who? What? Come, out with it. Don't
you see I'm dying of impatiencei"
"Lend me your ears" cried Helen, with
tragic air. 1--WE something of the graveut i'm.
p0rtance TO communicate"
Then, after a solemn pause, she said in stage
whisper, opening her eyes very wide, II AIN 20
ing to elope"
Annie's expression of open-,nou,hed astonirh.
ment was SO ludicrous that Helen iuvountariy
burst into merry laugh.
"What do you mean by saving such an nh
surd thing" criodl Annie looking little re-.
lleved.
Exactly what say" returned her friend. AS.
Stunning her former expression OF mysterious
gravity. ~ elope this night at half.past nine,
precisely. I've arranged it all Didn't YOU
noa ~ -