The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-15


of July was fixed upon for the happy day
Fred Fores was to take Lionie Kent to a cclc
bration, and Tom Granger was TO return with
Mrs. Lionie Granger, and a marriage cCrtih
cate, and ask the pardon of the kind and 10"
Ing parents.
The plan was well laid and promised sue
cess; but Fred accidentally disclosed the
part he had been playing, and the game was
up. Lionie was closely watched, and was
not permitted to 90 out of the yard alone.
Cousin Fred was not allowed about the prem.
ises. Thus IA fortnight passed, and no word
from Tom. Lionie began to fear that he had
given her up. Little did she know TIE in.
domtab,c spirit of her lover, or she would
never have doubted.
One morning rs the fair maiden arose, she
discovered d letter. bearing her name, lying
on the floor. 1t had evidently been thrown
through the window. Breaking the seal, she
read
LIoNIE: Meet me to-day, at l2 80 O'Clock, at
the old apple tree near the garden gate.
Yours truly, Tom.
The girl could hardly believe that her lover
would come in the very yard, in broad day
light, and on such mission; but she could
easily fulfil her part of the programme.
1t seems that Granger knew what he was
about when he appointed the hour of meet
ing, for when Lionie lett the house her father
aud the hired men were stretched at full
length on the floor, enjoying their MONDAY
nap; Mrs. Kent sat by window tanning her.
self lazily, while the hired girl was clearing
the dlnner-tabe
The old apple tree stood about fifty yards
from the house, in plain sight OF the kitchen
door. A large grape vine, twisting about the
trunk, and sending its branches along the
l,, nhoo ng an ola trnn hn littin bAIypr
a picturesque appearance. At the moment of
which we are speaking the surroundings
bore no signs of human life and our heroine
felt that her visit to the tree would be for
naught; but as she passed into the grateful
shade, she discovered her urrOmantC lover
seated On branch Of the tree, and half hid
den by the thick foliage. He had gained his
perch while the family were at dinner,
A halt;hours conversation cnsucd during
which time Mrs Kent came to the door, and
tor once in her life, thinking all was right
did not disturb the lovers Mr. Kent and his
hired man came through the yard and went
to their work, and still the happy pair talked
to each other at d distance OF six feet TIL IN
elopemcnt was planned.
This was on Saturday. Eleven o'clock
Sunday night was fixed for the time of de-
parturc from the parental roof, and Tom,
making IOOu HIS CSCdpC, away ~
make the necessary arrangements.
Peter Stone, an NJ ID. and j. T., was the
man chosen to perform the ceremony, and
Fred Forest was sent to confer with him.
Fred reported favorably; and eleven O'Clock
found him and Tom in company, carrying n
short ladder through the yard Of the Kent
place just as they had reached "A point di-
rectly under LiOnie's window Il strong, man |
lv voice from the road called out:
'Halloon The two men starteda as if shot, |
and Fred whispered
What in thunder
no, not in thunder, said the other, but
some fellow who wants to stay mere over
night
Then were done, so let us retreat wAilcwc
cam
Don't be in a hurry; LII speak to him.
and passing quietly around the corner OF the
house, Tom asked in low, clear tone:
What do you want?
Il want to stay all night
we can't keep YOU was the decided reply,
as the young man moved farther from the
house
The stranger continued speaking in a loud
tone. which was calculated to arouse every
one in the neighborhoOd.
No use said Tom, Won east stay: mother
is asleep, and | would not have her awakened
for fifty dollars.
Tom excused the falsehood bY the thought
III at she would be his mother before daylight
opened her cyelids.
The traveller still insisted on staying and
The teachcTtried another plan to eiude; catch
Ing % piece of paper from the ground, he
said, angrily: Stranger, If you cont make
less noise I'll hurl this stone at your head
This had the desired effect the stranger
tl,nr
, party of three noiselesSly left the gate, and
walked briskiy down the road till they came
% clunp Of hazel bushes, into which one
lived, and very soou came out with Il horse
md buggy.
Good night, 6'red,r and Good nieht, cOuS-
rs, = hurry!G sound of wheels, and aN
was quiet.
Arriving at their destination, the lovers
learned thar DR. Stone bad been called away
N the evening and had not yet returDsd, but
was expected motaenlariAy. An hour passeft,
md rs he diG not return Mrs Stone showed
LiOnie To a bed, while T0m lay down on the
floor and seemed to sleep soundly
1t appears on tht. particular morning Mrs
Kent. with hen usvab inconsistency, Ras al
IeCaed with ID slight indispostion Ga this /
account, Mr.. Kent went to call his dgaugh-
ter hong belCge the usual hour for rising,
ana her flight was discovered. \ slight rain \
On the evening previous made pursuits posi- /
BILE, and ms sooa ~ 10 was light the properly \
engaged parent was on the track of the tugi- \
tivcs.
That night TORiis Streams were quite mix
cl; he thought he had arrived at the gstes of
Paradise, but Mrs, Kent NJ some way prevent |
&c his entrance While he WAS contriTing Il /
plan TO eludc her; the voice OF Satan teM clear
and plain on his car. Peter, is Tom Gran
ger in There"
He started to his feet, ana in the graz Lights !
of the morning discovered Mr. KcHb dis |
at the gate. Ii was he that had
asked the startling question.
Well said Tom, half Of my drcaa was
lrue, anyway
Tom had another strategem ia his hnad in 1
IN instsnt. While LONE was preparing to
accompany her worthy paternal, he wrote
pa leaf OF his diary:
DEAR LIoSIE2-Neei me AT :hc trrnt gate
Al noon to-day. II Eay he strange TWISTING
place, but trust me. Ton.