Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-01-17
leman sat and watched the side door.

-, - ehu WdJcHed Lne blQe u0Or.
len minutes later John came running tc
his master in breatllless haste.
Please, sir. they've gone r he gasped
Il saw Miss Helen 60 out at the front door
Just nov and the young man met her. and
they Jumped into carriage, and drove
down street"
"Dolss yelled the father, why didn't
you stoPthem?7
Il couldn't, Miss Helen was outside
the door before I noticed herr
Pat the horse in the carriage, quick !
| must oyertake them"
John.aew to obey the order. and Mr.
dardcasb, in desperate haste. put on his
overcoat and hat and rushed out to help
harness A drizzling rain was falling, and
the night was unusually dark.
III took but minute to harness, and Mr..
hardeash started off at fast rate in the
direction John told him the runaways had
taken.
Thefoad led to the next town, which
was six lilies distant, and to which the cou-
pls, weres yidently fleeing.
nv .sh"rs calculated to overtake them
II.
failed inthat. to arrive on the scene in time
to stop their little arrangement.
So he urged on his horse, and the rain
beat in bis face, and the mud flew, and the
darkness shrouded the earth from view, but
his mind was bent on overtaking the fugi-
tives, and he paid no heed to his disagree
able surroundings.
He bad travelled about Eve miles with
out seeing or hearing anything, when sud
denly hls horse brought up with a jerk
Evidently something was ahead, He peer
ed into The gloom, and made out the out
lines Of covered carriage 1t was surely
the one he was pursuing.
Stop" he shouted.
They only increased their speed He
whipped up his horse, and kept close to
them.
Stop he called again. Give up my
daughter p
Not much, old man. ~ came from the
forward carriage, in masculine voice.
"Ill prosecute you, you thiefP' yelled
Mr. Hardcash
aThe,S was no reply to this threat the
father tried to drive up side of the other
carriage, but the darkness and the feetness
of the other horse prevented him.
And so they kept on, and before long
they entered the town.
The first carriage drew up before the
hotel, and Mr.. Hardcash stopped likewise
He sprang to the ground, and rushed to
the other carriage. A man was just help
ing female out. The light shone brightly
on her face 1t was Betty
lie looked at the man. 1t was one of
his own men. He was astonished -thun-
derstruck!
"What are you doing here Where is
my daughter p he asked.
81 left her in her chamber" said Betty,
with grim. Il don't know where she is
now"
Mr.. Hardcash was unable to speak His
anger was so great that he gasped for
breath
Betty slipped into the house, and her es-
cort remained to see what his employer
would do.
After short pause. during which he
stood like one just awakened from dream
Mr. hardcash got into his carriage again,
al turned his horses head hOmeward.
Hedrove at a more moderate pace than
he had maintained when he passed over the
road before.
At the house once more, he threw the
reIhs to John, who was awaiting his arrival
and started into the house
tie had scarcely got inside the door when
PAIR OF soft armes were thrown about his
neck and pair of warm lips pressed to
his
Forgive me dear father" pleaded his
daughter, "for deceiving you; but did as
Tom told me, and now I'm his wife, and
here's your note paid"
What do you mean 2" he sputtered
"Iom paid it. But come in, and get off
your wet clothes, and we will tell you all
about it."
Completely dazed, and clutching the note
IN ms hand, he allowed himself to be led
into the sitting-room
Tom met them at the door, his face
wreathed IN smiles. He took his father-in-
laws coat and hat, while Helen conducted
him to his easy-chair in front of the open
FIRE
His thoughts were so absorbed in the
possession of his note, that he didn't ap-
psar to notice who was in the room.
~There, father" said Helen, taking a
low seat at his feet; ''now dear Tom will
tell you all about it"
fes, sir" said Tom, stepping up, "pnI
explain all You see | have paid your
note. am well off Ny uncle, who was
wealthy merchant, left me his entire for
tune at his death, two years ago.
Il lived in the city, then, and of course
when came iuto possession of this proper
tg, | was courted by every body, but par
tlcularly by mammas and papas with mar
riageable daughters. They fairly DISCUS
ted me with their attentions and though |
had a great desire to be married and settle
down, | had horror of being married for
my money.
Finally I determined Z seek a place