The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-06

"Of course you do, since you have
come here with him, and you know, of
course, that he ought to marry you at
once--this afternoon"
Certainly; that is what expected" !"
Paul looked at her gravely.
Lois" said he, "God forgive me If
do the man injustice. But cannot help
| fearing that he does not mean to do the
honorable thing by you. When l met
you last night l was troubled to the
heart. distrusted Drayton, and when
learned that he was going away in the
early train this morning determined to
watch him. l saw you get on the train
and followed. Twill not tell you what
suffered"-a spasm of pain crossing his
| face-"you know how long have loved
you, Lois, and that ought to prove to
you that am your friend now. When
Mr. Drayton returns, If you will give
me leave, will claim the right to go
with you and see you married. If his
intentions are what they ought to be, he
will be glad to have me go. If they are
not"
81 will go home with you, Paul, "
said Lois, firmly. 81 am glad you are
here. l felt $3.50 lonesome" she added,
hesitatingly.
And you will authorize my being
with you, LoisP"
"Yes, Paul, gladly"
And indeed It seemed as if new cour-
age had come to the girl. Her eyes
were alight again, her face bright, and
she no longer covered in her corner,
but sat upright. They had not long to
wait.
Presently Drayton stepped just within
the door and beckoned to Lois. She did
not respond to his signal, and, in sur
! prise, he came toward her, an angry
frown gathering on his brow as he saw
that she was not alone.
"This is my friend, Mr.. Haynes, -
said Lois, simply. "He will go with
u.s."
Drayton acknowledged Paul's salu.a
ton with stiff bow.
Come" he said to Lois, imperiously
1.-THE carriage is waiting"
Paul rose also.
Gas one of the Oldest friends of Miss
Arnold's family, / claim the privilege of
being present at her wedding ceremony, "
he said, firmly.
"Yes," said Lois, esolutely; 81 want
Paul to go with u.s."
Dra7 ton looked from one to the other,
the frown growing blacker on his brow,
while his face wore an expression of
helpless anger. Putting his hand on
Lois arm, he tried to drag her away.
81 will not have this man with us"
he said, imperiously. Lois, don't you
trust mepn
She raised her innocent large eyes to
his face, and half shrank away at the ex-
preston she met there.
81 shall not, unless you let Paul go
with us. What harm can there be in
thatP"
Every harm, j." muttered Drayton un-
der his breath with an oath.
Paul stepped forward.
Mr.. Drayton," said he, eff you in
tend to marry this young lady at once
like an honorable man, you can have no
objection to my witnessing the ceremony.
| am very old friend of her family, and
| can carry to them the assurance that,
although she has done very foolish
thing in eloping, she has at least placed
her trust wisely"
Drayton moved uneasily under the
keen gray eyes.
"All confounded nonsense" he said.
"Once for all, Lois, you will go with
me alone, or you will not go at all.
Choose" And he held out his hand.
Lois looked from his flushed and an
CRY face to Pau's firm and kindly eyes
then, suddenly extending her hand to
the young carpenter, she said:
81 will go home with you, Paul"
A look of sudden joy irradiated his
face as he drew her hand W thin his arm
and led her away, while Drayton, with
an oath, strobe from the room.
The return journey was. strange as it
may seem, far happier to Lois than the
outward one; somehow great rest and
peace seemed to have come to her; the
excitements and turmoils of the last few
weeks had vanished, ard tranquility
was restored to her life.
When she learne all from Paul-how
he had heard what manner of man Dray-
ton was, and that he had alreadywrecked
the life of one young girl-when she
thought of the devotion that had
prompted Pauls action, and realized
from what possibilities he had saved her
when she discovered at last that he
hae even provided against any possible
scandal by sending a hurried note to
Mrs. Arnold, telling her not to let any
one know that Lois had gone-when all
this came to her, and she looked at the
kind, honest face beside her, she said,
with a sudden rush of tears
Paul, can never thank you enough.
| believe | have loved you best all the
time. If you still care to have such a
foolish, weak thing as am, will never
tease you again"
And SO Paul had his reward.