The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-23

In a moment more Chauncey struck
out. The acknowledged champions of
the season all stood back, to give them
room and watch the chase. Miss Pres
ton took the cue in twinkling. Like
the steed who afar off scents the battle,
the lady with head erect and nostrils
dilated, waited until she had discovered
there was no possibility of mistake, then
darted off, in straight line, with the
heetness of the wind. Such chase as
she led him But he kept steadily on,
his face lighted up with rare smile, as
he considered how eagerly his challenge
had been accepted. Up and down,
around in circles, curly cues, and every
imaginable figure, he followed the lovely
skater. All eyes were upon them. The
music from the banda bright, spark
ling galop--lent wings to both pursuer
and pursued. Cheer after cheer greeted
them from the delighted spectators.
Without the slightest diminution of
strength or feetness, Chauncey kept
steadily on. For ten full minutes the
race continued. At the expiration OF
that time Miss Preston, tired and dizzy,
waved her handkerchief as a flag of
truce, and attempted to reach her friends.
Chauncey, with true lovers instincts,
discovered the state of the case, and,
gracefully throwing his arm around her
waist, escorted her to a seat.
"Oh, am so sorry" painted the little
lady. 81 did so long to win this game ;
but am no match for you in hold-out-
ativeness."
"Please allow me to introduce my
SELF" replied her companion. "Chaun-
cey Belknap, at your service. Now,
who are you? Please tell me-" as the
young lady almost gasped for breath.
"a relative of Chauncey Belknap OF
W Square," Z" she inquired, as pale as
death.
"His son, my dear young lady. But
why are you so excited! You are not
acquainted with my father I"
Yes-oh, yesP she murmured. 81
am Charlotte Preston, and engaged to be
married to your father. Order my car
riage, please, or your carriage, or some
body's, and take me home. will then
tell you all about it."
Chauncey was staggered, but imme di-
ately did as he was bid and, in few
moments, had the pleasure of listening
to the strange particulars.
My father is on the verge of fnan-
cial ruin, and did it to save him. What
shall do? For the love of mercy, tell
mel and Miss Preston burst into tears.
"You do not love him!"
"No, and l told him So"
Don't marry him, then. Do you
suppose" here Chauncey stopped,
and raised the uplifted face wet with
tears" do you suppose you would ever
learn to love Chauncey Relknap, Jr. p
and the young man again halted.
"Well, what if could 2" and mis-
chievous smile chased away every sign
of weeping.
"Oh, only 1 have loved you ever since
the first moment 1 laid my eyes on your
face, and determined to win you, if pos
sible. l have money enough to fix
things, reckon, and knoU, my dear
little girl, can make you happy"
"And knO'o you can, too. Will you
tell your father about it? and Miss
Charlotte Preston hid her head on her
lovers shoulder.
"Yes, my darling; but you must ac-
company me. My wife must not be a
shirk. We will go now"
An hour later, and Chauncey Belknap,
Jr., stood before his paternal parent,
with the promised bride of both on his
arm. The old gentleman's consterna-
tion we will leave to the imagination of
our readers, assuring them it was i'm
mense.
al do not love you, Mr.. Belknap; but
L do love your son, and he loves me.
That is all I can say; trust you will
forgive me for having, because of pow
erty, held out to you a promise love
could never fulfil"
"All right" replied Chauncey, Sr
Don't say any more about it. The
young dog meant business, and has cut
me out. That's the English of that"