The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-12-06

to our union. But the old fellow wa
: obstIn7te and said he had other views 70
her Pretty soon these views came alon
10 the person of the mushy-faced old pa
triarch whom you saw just now in til
carriage. He, too, is a retired hero o
the Mexican war, and very rich NJ
darling shut herself in her room and re
fused to see him. She grew thin an,
pale, and nearly cried her eyes out.
brlbed one of the servants, who carrie,
daily notes between Us, but her unnatural
parent detected our correspondence anc
it was intercepted
My poor boy!' said Grayson with
sympathy
''For weeks | could obtain no commu
nication from her. At last | learned
from friend of the family that they
were all coming TO Newport to visit at the
villa Of her proposed husband, who is a
| widOwer. l obtained leave of absence
| from the bank on the ground of i'll health
| and followed them. Yesterday [ saw my
| darling for the first time, AMI to day |
received this letter, in which, continued
Jack, kissing it rapturously, "she assures
me- of her undying devotion, declares
that no force can compel her to marry
the old army general, whom she detests,
and that she is mine, mine only, and
mine forever. Dear, true, faithful girl +!
She deserves all [ can give her of the
best, and most earnest and most faithful
love-"
Eyes, no doubt said Grayson, re-
tiectively. "Well, | should think, Jack
Turner, that you had got yourself into a
very interesting situation. 1t would do
for the plot of ii novel"
g I've not told you all" replied his
friend
Good gracious! What else?"
During the period of our clandestine
correspondence we arranged an elopement.
| had all my plans perfected my dear
girl had consented to accompany me,
and in another day she would have Aeen
my bride, when"
"When paterfAmilias stepped in and
spoiled the plot" interrupted Grayson.
why can't you elopa now, if you are
bound to have her? You have found
means OF communicating, | see"
" Impossible" replied jack 1.-The
villa is situated way out of town, on
Batemln's Point, and is surrounded by
a brick wall twelve feet high Ever
since the discovery of our plan for escape,
Clara has been under the supervision of
a maiden aunt-a perfect sleepless
Cererus-who occupies the same room,
always accompanies her when she goes
out to walk or battle. There's a savage
old butler, with orders to shoot all
characters seen lowering
around the place after dark. There's
ferocious bulldog"
" Hold-enough said Grayson.
'This is worse than the Princess in the
tower"
go, that's not all, either, said Jack.
The old curmudgeon is bound to marry
his daughter to old Red-nose whether
she will or no, and has actually issued
cards for the wedding without her con
sent. Now, Tom," exclaimed Jack,
fiercely, that girl must be mine There's
no time to lose. She must be my bride
before tomorrow night, and you must
help me-"
"All right, said Grayson. "You take
care of the military parent, and the
maiden aunt, and the blood thirsty but
er, and the ferocious bull dog, and I'll
carry off the girl. Then you can follow
1T your leisure.
''Don't make light of it," said Jack,
yloomily. cts too serious matter
Can't you suggest some plan for me ?"
Let me put on my thinking cap"
aid the other, ''and ruminate for a mo-
nent."
He went to the bureau and took there
rom small black velvet skull cap,which |
lie put on. Then lighting a fresh cigar,
he resumed his seat by the window and |
ut for long time silently smoking, with
III head thrown back and his eyes fixed
lp,n the ceiling. Jack watched him
With impotence.
did you tell me that the young lady
,athes on the beach ?" asked Grayson,
fter a silence that seemed to his compan-
on interminable.
eyes, daily" replied Jack "but the
maiden aunt is always with heron
hore at Least, and sometimes her father.
'he cautions me in this letter not to meet
or there, for if | were seen there once
he might be forbidden even thatinnocent
leasure"
Il have it," exclaimed the young
lergyman, jumping up,
a" You must meet her there to morrow
in the water, mind you, not on the
each. Leave the rest to me-
F'You mean to carry her off by force,
aid Jack, "that wouldn't do We
could be caught before we could leave
he island"
g You haven't an inkling of what |
lean," said Grayson. "Clara is yours
low 50 home to your boarding house,
nd sleep sereneIy. This is the most
trocious case | ever heard of, and YOU
ave my sympathy No thanks. Good
light. Fine business for minister of
ne gospel, but | will help you, my boy
food night, old fellow And Grayson
airly showed his friend from the room
nd closed the door upon him. When
e had gone he turned the key. and sat .
own by the window to think again. (
Miss Clara Montieth, stepping forth
rom her clearinghouse and running
cross the beach, stopping for a moment 5
} play with her little white feet in one
the pools that the recedng tide had
1T, and then plunging gIeefully into the
lrf, was picture for painter. Clad y