The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-09-26

marry Richardl"
Yes, dear daughter. Richard il
worthy, we know"
"And you don't want to see me MARI,
Cousin Thomas ?"
Oh, Anna, had rather see yor
dead I"
Well, my dear little mother, 1 dom
think I'll die, and l know won't MARI,
cousin. But now, mother, I'll tell you
a secret. 1 can trust you2"
" Yes, Anna"
" Well, dear, Richard wrote me tc
meet him at the dance tonight. Ther
we would slip away, go over to Westfield
and get married tomorrow morning
What do You say, mother dearP"
The good little woman began to cry,
but she said:
Do as you please, Anna; 1 cant
blame you. The life your father leads
you is pretty hard, 1 know. But oh,
Anna, your father is going to the Cor.
ners p
Yes, mother, on purpose to watch
us; so Richards plan won't work. But
have another one. I can count on Won,
consent, dear, and a good word with
father afterward."
eyes, yes" sobbed the mother.
"That's a dear, good mother" said
Anna, kissing her. "Don't think !
don't appreciate your sacrifice, for I do.
And after all's done I'm sure father has
too much sense not to make the best
of it."
"Pn do my best for you, DEAR"
81 know you will, mother! 1 won't
tell you my plan, for it might get you
into trouble. And I must get to work
now, for have no time to lose."
Anna found chance to send her low
er little note, which contained only
these words.
DEAR RICHARD: I cannot 90 70 the
Corners. But meet me at Willis's Half
way House about eight o'clock with a
fast horse and chaise. Don't be aston
ished if l come alone, but only be ready
for me quick. Anna.
And her messenger brought her low
er's answer, written hastily upon scrap
OF her own note, and simply saying:
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 chaise
round to the door and helped her to her
seat, quite delighted with her gracious
friendliness, for his cousin Anna was not
always ready to show him much favor.
1t was glorious moonlight night.
every leaf and twig showing against the
white snow.
They rode gayly along for a mile or
two, and Anna took special pains to
maks 9 VS. hspSea Sat aeGTEeeq%bs u until she thought
ing.
Suddenly, on pretense of arranging
the rug, Anna stopped over and dexter
ously dropped her muff into the snow.
She gave light scream.
"Oh ! I've dropped my muff, and it
was new, Christmas present from faith
er. DO please get out and get it. 1
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 a 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 bay horse, guided by
Annals steady touch, until she drew it
up, reeking with foam, under the long
shed at Willis's.
Another chaise was there, and in the
moonlight Anna recognized Richards
fast gray mare.
He came forward at once.
els it you, Anna?"
eyes, Richard" she said, springing
out. "Tell the boy to blanket my horse;
he's all in a sweat, and keep him here
till Cousin Tom comes for him. He'll
be here soon, I fancy. Are you ready ?"
eyes, all ready. Jump into my
chaise quick, Anna. Well explain as
we go along. You'll go to Westtield
with me, dear?"
"Anywhere you please, Dick, only
let us be quick. Fathers at the Cor
ners. !"
Dick put her into his chaise, gave a
few brief orders to the astonished groom,
and was far on the road in a minute
more.
Long Mr.. Gracey waited at the dance,
but neither Tom, Richard nor Anna
came.
At last, convinced something was
wrong, he mounted his horse and rode
back, meeting Thomas halfway from
Willis's with his news.
Thomas was for instant pursuit, but
the old gentleman vowed nobody should
90 after her or bring her back; she had
made her own bed and she might lie on
it for all he cared, whether she found it
comfortable or not.
So home went the old father, and
nursed his wrath until the next morning,
when note was brought from Anna,
begging Thomass pardon for the cav
alier way in which she was obliged to
desert him the night before, saying that
Richard and herself we're married, and
gone home to Father Landon's, and were
waiting to know il they might come ovel