Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-18
THE INTENDED ELOPEMENT
BY MARION MONTAGUE.

PeepIng through the leaves OF lhe
vine covered bower, and watching ca
eerly the path through the woods,
was a beautiful little maiden. An
anxious look was in her deep blue
ewes, as pressing her hands over her
heart as if to stop its heavy beating,
she said
"Oh, why does he not come? How
long time! If he had good news, l
know he would come quicker. Oh,
1 have not a mite of hopc!"
The pretty lips quivered then, and
she stepped back and sank on the
messy seat. A moment after q sound,
slight as the dropping of leaves,
caught her ear; she sprang up, and
for an instant bright light shone in
her eyes, but quickly died away, as
the slow, heavy step came nearer,
bringing to sight tall, noble looking
Young man, whose face if less stern,
would have been very handsome.
Without speaking, he clasped her
outstretched hand and drew her with
in his arms, shaking his head sadly.
81 felt it was 50, or you would have
come sooner" the maiden said rest
inc her head against his shoulder.
f'I had little, if any hope, Susie. 1
went this last time because you bade
me TO.
''What did father say, Frank" "
cover and over the same old story
of having, since your babyhood, in
| tended YOU to be the wife of his
| friends son; oh, if were wcalthier,
| it would be all right, I know" Frank
said, his dark eyes flashing.
] 40 nj I
not like to hear you impute a wrong
motive to my father; L will never,
never listen for one moment to any
other man but yOu, Frank; so you
may be sure, if papa viii not let me
marry you, / Will never mary at all, F"
Susie said, her eyes, full of tears,
locking up to his.
"Susie, have made three appeals
TO your father during the past year,
each time finding him, if possible,
more determined to oppose our hap
piness: 1 will never humiliate myself
again, and he will never yield. Now
what will you do?"
"Wait, hope and pray; can do no
/ thing MORE" Susie answered, IN q
fearful voice.
eyes, Susie darling, you can, and
secure our immediate happiness; you
can come with me, be my own true
wife, love.
scNo-no-no; I cannot, 1 should
not secure our happiness. L should
be miserable and make you So
"Thcn have nothing more to hope
| for: he will not give you to me, and
Won will not come. Oh, Susie, how
can you send me off; you know you
are all the world to me, If L lose
YOU, l lose everything. L am alone
! in the world; there are many loved
ones to comfort your father, until he
comes to his better nature and calls
YOU back to his heart. Susie, am to
leave you forever"
The beautiful dark eyes were look
ing into hers, filed with so much
love. How could she resist?
Mono; shall die if you leave me
never to come again. Oh, what an
[ to do? 1 love you better than my
own life, Frank; indeed do?
"But father-how can Edesert him
he loves me moro than the other chill
dren. am the oldest, his first child
and so much like what mother was
that is why he loves me so; and nov
she has gone, l should stay"
"And break your heart, and mine
too, Susie?"
IF 1 thought, Frank, you would
not mind it very long
''You would give me up, and il
time, get into your fathers way o
thinking, and end by marrying tn
man he wants you to-" Frank said
withdrawing his arm and turning
away with a great sigh.
''Oh, Frank, how can you talk t
sCWen Susie, it is useless prolong
ing our sorrow. 1 had better sa
goodbye, and go forever"
"No-no, Frank, dear love. Oh
what am to do?"
BE happy, my own, and make N
so; be my wife before L return {
W: go with me, Susie, you
mother loved me, know, if here sh
would plead for me-"
eyes, she loved you; and perhaps
in her blessed home, she will pit
me, and win for me forgiveness, alik
from Heavenly as earthly father,
longer my heart can not resist m
love" Susie sobbed, dropping he
I golden head on her lovers bosom, an
promising all that he wished.
'sThe last night ut home" she saiC
ION the morrow 1 must go forth, t
return no more the loving, dutifr
child. Should he ever consent /
have me come back, 1 can never b
again what l once was to his hear
I shall have broken the trust he hel
in me-" Susie moaned. Tenderly th
brother and sister were ministere
to, her hand resting on each lit
e head as their hspiAg voices followe
hers in the evening PRAYER. WilL