The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-09-21

unncc to-night, You can elthcf lct ION
drive you over, or you stay at home
II was on Annals lips 10 say she
would stay at home but Richard : plans
and pleadings spoke for him.
It'd rather 90 with my cousin than
stay at home," she said quietly.
- Very well, then, you can CO." said
the father.
Anna turned and left the room, but
there was something in her air all the
morning which made the old gentleman
very suspicious. So at dinner he re-
marked;
~ believe I'll ride over to the Cor
ners and see the young people frolic to-
night. reckon they won't turn me
out II don't dance myself, and have
not seen a young folks party these TWEEN
ty years. Yes, think III saddle old
Aleck and ride over"
"Do, uncle! That will be jolly!"
said Thomas Wildly, while into Annals
nation, which did not escape Mr.. Gracey,
and he slyly chuckled to himself:
"Aha! reckon I've snatched EN- this
time!n
But Annals wits were busy, too, while
she was helping her mother wash the
dinner dishes. Suddenly, as they stood
putting away the last shining tins in the
tidy pantry, Anna caught her mother by
the shoulders, and said:
Mother, have your consent to mar
ry RichardPr
Yes, dear daughter. Richard is
worthy, we know"
ssAnd you don't want TO see me marry
Cousin ThomasP"
Oh, Anna, l had rather see you
dead!r
Well, my dear little mother, don't
think I'll die, and know won I marry
cousin. But now, mother, Ill tell you
a secret can trust you?"
Yes, Anna
"Well, dear, Richard wrote TO me to
meet him At the dance tonight. Then
we would slip away, 20 over to Westfield
and get married tomorrow morning.
What do YOU say, mother dear?"
The good little woman began to cry,
but she said:
Do as you please, Anna; can't
blame you. The life your father leads
you Is pretty hard, know. But, oh,
Anna, your father is going to the Cor
ners -
9 Yes, mother, on purpose to watch
us; so Richards plan won't work. But
have another one. l can count on
your consent, dear, and good word
with father afterwards. ~
. Yes, yes!" sobbed the mother.
= That's dear, good mother,- said
Anna, kissing her. sDon't think
don't appreciate your sacrifice, for do.
And after ais done I'm sure father has
TOO much sense not to make the best of
it,
"I'll do my best for you, dear"
" i know you will, mothcrl / won't
tell you my plan, for it might get you
into trouble And | must get to work
now, for have no time to lose.''
Anna found a chance to send her lover
a little note, which contained only these
words:
DEAR RICHARD: / can not 20 to the Cor
ners. But meet me at Willis's Halfway
House about o'clock with fast horse and
carriage. Don't be astonished IL come
alone, but only be ready for me quick.
ANNA.
And heg messenger brought her
lovers answer, written hastily upon
scrap Of her own note, and simply say
ing
All right, and all ready. RICHARD.
Anna was dressed and in good spirits
when her father rode away at night,
and very soon Thomas drove the light
wagon round to the door and helped her
to her seat, quite delighted with her
gracious friendliness,fo his Cousin An
ma was not always ready to show him
much favor.
liwas a glorious moonlightnight,e every
leaf and twig showing against the white
snow. They rode gaylv along for mile
or two, and Anna took special pains to
make herself agreeable, until she thought
It was about time to set her plan work
ing. Suddenly, on pretense Of arrang-
ing the rug, Anna stopped over and
dexterously dropped her muff into the
snow. She gave slight scream.
"Oh! I've dropped my mufl, and it
was new, Christmas present from
father. DO please get out and get il.
can hold the horse"
Unsuspicious and obliging, Thomas
handed his deceitful little cousin the
reins, and sprang out to get the muff.
Quick as thought, Anna drew the reins
tightly, caught the light whip from its
socket, gave the swift horse cut, and
sent it flying down the road as light as
an arrow, while poor Thomas, not com
pretending her game as yet, ran shout
ing after them. But he was soon left
far, far behind, while ON flew the bag
horse, guided BY Annals steady touch.
until she drew it up, reeking with foam,
under the long shed M Willis's. An
other carriage was there, and in the
moonlight Anna recognized Richards
fast gray mare. He came forward at
once.
= Is il you, Anna?"
/" Yes, Richard, she said, springing'
out. "TcIl the boy to blanket my
horse; he's all in sweat, and keep him
here till Cousin Tom comes for him.
He'll be here soon, fancy. Are you
~.