Smyrna times., 1876-12-20

II
think there was a romance. Coon"
"lt's the old story, suppose" replie,
Jack, heaving long sigh. II met her las
winter at the house of friend in New York
and was entranced with her beauty. her nc
complishments, her innocence. her GOOD
ness, her
Yes, Yes, I'll take all that for granted
interrupted Grayson.
"Our acquaintance soon ripened into
friendship, and speedily into love. We be-
came betrothed. l asked her father. who
Is retired army officer, for her hand. lie
put out his Buena Vista manner, asked me
IT | supposed his daughter was going to
marry miserable bank clerk on $4,000 4
year, and then showed me the door.
"Ah." exclaimed Grayson, with an an
pearance of great interest
"After l left him." continued Jack
there was scene, as subsequently learned,
between him and my dear girl, who bravelv
declared that she would never marry any
one else, and besought him on her knees.
with tears, to consent to our union. Bnt
the old fellow was obstinate and said he
had other views for her. Pretty soon these
views came along in the person of the mu,hv.
faced old patriarch whom you saw Just now
IN the carriage. He, too, is a retired hero
OF the Mexican war, and very rich. Nv
darling shut herself in her room and re-
fused to see him. She grew thin and pale.
and nearly cried her eyes out. Ibribed one
OF the servants, who carried daily notes
between us, but her unnatural parent detcc.
ted our correspondence, and it was inter.
cepted."
"My poor boy!" said Gryson with sym,
pathy.
For weeks could obtain no communica.
ton from her. At last | learned from
a friend of the family that thev were
all coming to Newport to visit at the
villa OF her proposed husband, who is
wldower. obtained leave of absense from the
bank on the ground ofill health, and followed
them. Yesterday saw my darling for the
first time, and to-day received this letter
IN which, continued Jack, kissing it ran.
turously, "she assures me Of her undvinc
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 her give of the best.
most earnest and most faithful love"
es, no doubt, ," said Grayson, refectivelv.
We'll, | should think, Jack Turner. that
you had got yourself into very intestinr
situation. 1t would do for the plot Of a
novel.
i've not told you all, replied his friend.
''Good gracious! What else?"
During the period of our clandestine
correspondence we arranged an elopment.
l had my plans all perfected; my dear girl
consented to accompany me, and in another
day she would have been my bride, when"
"When pater familias stepped in and
spoiled the plot" Interrupted Grayson.
why can't you elope now, if you are bound
to have her? You have found means of
communicating l see"
impossible" replied Jack "The villa |
Is situated way out of town. on Bateman's
Point, and is surrounded by brick wall
twelve feet high. Ever since the discovery
OF our plan of escape Clara has been under
the supervision of a maiden aunt. a nerfect
sleepless Cerberus, who occupies the same
room, and always accompanies her when
fn
savage old butler, with orders to shoot all
suspicious characters seen lowering around
the place after dark. There's fericious
bull dog"
"Hold, enough = said Grayson. .sTbi, *
worse than the princess in the enchanted
tower"
''Oh, that's not all, either" said Jack.
"Ths 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 consent. Now.
Iom," exclaimed Jack, fercely, "that girl
must be my bride before to morrow ni.bt.
and you must help me-"
"All right" said Grayson "You take
care Of the military parent, and the maiden
aunt, and the maiden aunt, and the blood.
thirsty butler, and the fericious BULLDOG. 4
md I'll carry off the girl Then you can
ollow at your leisure"
"Don't make light of it," said Jack,
,loomily. "It's too serious matter. Can't
'ou suggest some plan for me2"
"Let me put on my thinking cap" said
he other "and ruminate for moment" l
He went to the bureau and took thsrefrom 4
! small black velvet skull cap, which he put
IN. Then lighting a fresh cigar, he resumed i
lis seat by the window and sat for long
ime silently smoking, with his head .
brown back and his eyes fixed upon the !
eiling. Jack watched him with i'm.
patience. 8
did you tell me that the young lady /
'athes on the beach ?'' asked Grayson, after !
silence that seemed to his companion in. a
erminable.
"Yss, daily" replied Jack; "but the ]