The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1882-01-20
He'd At MoRRIsTowN n u FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 1882

A shudder ran through me from head
to foot; felt like one who had been
entrapped, and for whom there is no
hope Of escape. My aunt's cool con-
fidence actually frightened me.
What was / to Dc?
I had read of unhappy maidens being
forced into distasteful marriages and
dying of broken hearts, and of the
men they truly loved weeping patheti-
cally over their early graves.
Ny aunt glanced up at me keenIy
when she thought was not locking. ]
was determined she should not see how
alarmed I was.
sWhen did you say Mr.. pumpkins
would be here r. I asked. mildly,
utterly ignoring her TRADE as 20 our
future movements and my future fate.
This evening expect him momen-
tarily." she answered.
Then had better prepare myself,
to meet him, responded, in resigned
tone of voice, and rising from my seat
I quilted the room.
When had closed the door upon my
aunt, the tears rushed to my eyes, and
felt blind and giddy. I did not tarry
within doors even to put on my hat.
Bareheaded, ] let myself out by the
hall door, and flew to the little arbor at
the bottom Of the garden, where I knew
George awaited me.
/ threw myself into his arms, sobbing
like child.
MY darling what is the matter p
She is going to run away with me, =
/ said, convnlsively she means to
force me into marrying that wretch
pumpkins oh, she-she she"
4 broke down utterly.
Who is going to do all this, my
precious one p
The tigress r. / sobbed.
Then the tigress must have her
claws clipped said George, holding me
still closer to his sheltering breast.
When / had become a little calmer, I
told him all Aunt Janet had said.
A few moments later ] returned to
the house-for ] dare not stop with my
darling many minutes for fear Of de-
tection-much relieved, and actually
with smile upon my face.
Mr.. pumpkins put in an appearance
a few moments after my return to the
drawing room. never treated him
with more affability in my life. My
aunt looked charmed.
She left Mr.. Gerald Bumpkins and
me alone together for quite half an hour.
He endeavored to grow sentimental, and
i did not snub him I let him talk
rubbish to his hearts content. Bat he
was nervous and shy, and had not sum-
moned courage enough to be very
gushing before my. aunt returned. /
could see, however, that my manner had
inspired him with more hope of me
than he had ever felt before.
ssI shall So you again tomorrow.
he observed, gnifieantly, as he warmly
clasped nv hand at parting.
Tomorrow, Mr.. pumpkins y | said
with my sweetest smile.
Mr. Bumpkinsi' wish you would
call me Gerald !"
sAhl come day. perhaps, answered
with half-shy little Isugh, and made
my escape from the passage, where this
conversation took place, into the draw
ing-roona.
MY aunt opened the door for him
after little whispered conversation,
and heard her bid him goodnight IN
most friendly tones.
She actually patted me on the shoul-
ders as she reioined me, and called me
ssdear" several times during the remain
der of the evening.
stood it as well as ] could, but soon
made an excuse for retiring to rest.
Poor Gegald pumpkins had said
s.To-morrow !" as he squeezed my hand,
in anticipation of meeting me again on
that early date. My aunt had patted
me on the back, and called me 'sdear, =
in the fond belief that I was resigned
to her plans and wishes.
ssPoor, deluded creatures |"
BY the time the morrow's darkness
had shrouded the land George Temple
and were being whirled away at ex-
press speed in the direction of the
great metropolis, and on the day follow
ing we were married by special license
In plain English, we eloped. It created
quite sensation in the neighborhood
but what mattered that to us?
Ten years have elapsed since then,
and now I am a happy mother, and
George the most devoted Of husbands
and fathers.
Ny aunt eventually grew resigned
but in her heart she never forgaye me-
and, doubt not, has left me unmen-
toned in her viii.
It may have seemed awful to some
people that I eloped, but was not
driven to it