The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-12-16

the road, and darted out 10 plch ~ up twas
a letter.
we'll done. Bless NY soul | believe that's
lack Turner Hi! Jack, Jack Is that you !?
The individual addressed looked towards
the hotel, and, after scanning the windows
Tor a moment, caught sight Of Grayson, who
was waving his handkerchief energetcally
Then he came running across the street Win
the letter in his hand a moment afterwards
he was in Grayson's room.
"Tom,' he burst FORTH "who in the world
expected to find you here?"
And you, my dear fellow returned tn,
young clergyman; what were you DONG
under that tree?'
you saw me-" asked Jack, eagerly. "fo
saw-you saw herr
Il saw the whole ridiculous performance
What beauty! Is there some romance wrap
ed up in all this?"
"Romance! Yes, a deuce of romance
for me-" exclaimed Jack, throwing himselt
into chair. THAT lovely girl is my aii
anced BRIDE
"You don't say So said Grayson, In as
constituent
"The old gentleman with the white hair
and the gray military mustachc," continued
Jack, "is her father. The other old duiier,
the stupid-looking centenarian, with the musll
face and the red nose, is her ailianced hus
band"
"Whew!" whispered Tom, &" | should think
there was a romance. Go on"
ITS the old story, | suppose" replied Jack,
heaving long sigh. " met her last winter
at the mouse of friend in New York, and
was enranced with her beauty her accom-.
plishments her innocence, her goodness, her
eyes, yes, I'll take all that for granted"
interrupted Grayson.
"Our acquaintance soon ripened into friend
ship, and speedily into love. We became be
trohed asked her father, who is retired
army officer, for her hand. He put on his
Buena- Vista manner, asked me il l supposed
his daughter was going to marry miserable
bank clerk on $4,000 year, and then showed
me the a orr
"Ahm cHLlaimed Grayson, with an appear
ance of great interest.
after lett him." continued Jack, there
was Il scene, as subsequently learned, be
tween him and my dear girl, who bravcly de-
clared that she would never marry any one
else, and bcsought him on her knees, with
tears, to consent TO our union. But the old
fellow was obstinate, and said be had other
views for her Pretty soon these views came
along in the person OF the mushy-faced old
patriarch whom you just saw in the carriage.
| He, too, is n retired hero of the Mexican war,
and very rich. My darling shut herself in her
room and refused TO see him. She grew thin
and pale, and nearly cried her eyes out. [
brhed one of the servants, who carried daily
notes between US, but her unnatural parent
detected our correspondence, and II was inter
copied"
"My poor boy" said Grayson, with sym.
patty.
For weeks | could obtain no communion
ton from her. At last | learned from airIcnd
Of the family that they were all coming TO
Newport to visit at the villa Of her proposed
husband, who is widower | obtained leave
of absence from the bank on the ground of.
Iillhcalth, and followed them. Yesterday
saw my darling for the first time, and to-day
received this letter, in which, continued.
Jack, kissing il rapturously, " she assures me
of her undyiug devotion, declares that no,
force can compel her to marry the old Gener-
nj, 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, most earnest and most faithful
love-
eyes, no doubt" said Grayson, reflective.
ly We'll, | should think, Jack Turner, that
you had got yourself into very interesting
situation. 1t would DO for the plot of u,
novel;
"Tvc not told you ALL" replied lis friend,
Good gracious! what next"
During the period Of our clandestine cor
respondence we arranged an elOpement. j
had all my plans perfected; my dear girl con
S,ncd To accompany me, and in another day
she would have been my bride when
"When patcriamllas stepped IN and spoil
ed the plOt,' interrupted Crayson. why
can't you elope now, if you are bound to have
her! You have found means Of commitment
ing, | see"
impossible" replied Jack. "The villa
- situated way out of town, Oh Batcman's
Point, and is surrounded by brick wall
twelve feet high. Ever since the discovery OF
our plan for escape, Clara has been under the
supervision of maiden aunt,-a pcrtec,
sccpleSs Cerbcrus,-whO occupies the same
room, and always accompanies her when she
goes out to walk or battle There's II savage
old batter, with orders to shoot all suspicious
characters seen lowering around the place
after dark. There's "A ieroclous bulldog
IIuld-cnough said Graysun This Is I
worse than the Princess in the enchanted tow. |
or"
"Oh, that's not all either" said Jack. "The
old curmudgeon is bound to marry his daugh.
ter IL old Rcd-nose, whether she Will or no,
and has actually issued cards for the wedding
without her consent. Now, Tom," exclaimed
Jack, tercey. 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 maiden aunt,
and the bloodthlrsty Butler and the ferocious
bulldog, and I'll carry the girl. Then you
can follow at your leisure"
Don't make light of IT," said Jack, gloom.
ily Cant you suggest some plan for mer"
Let me put on my thinking cap said the
other, and ruminate for a moment
lie went TO the bureau, and took there,rOm
"A small blaCk.vclvct skull.Cap. which he put
on. Then, lighting n fresh cigar, he resumed
his seat by the window, aud sat tor u long
time silently smoking with his head thrown
back and his eyes fixed upon the ceiling
Jack watched him with Impotence
"Didyou tell me that the young lady bathes
on the beach ;" asked Grayson, after silence
that seemed 10 his companion Interminable.
lafl r,pliaI Int, 10,