The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-02


stantly at her side, still / lowered near
enough to see every motion on her part.
What puzzled me most was the fact
that, contrary to our expectation, she
made no motion to leave the parlors.
1t was long past 2 o'clock. The dancers
had tired themselves out and were now
scattered here and there in the dressing
rooms, or stood wrapped and ready to
make their adieus. The time had come,
if at all, when the elopement would be
attempted. I gradually approached
Miss Philpot, but crowd of people
were around her.
Carriage for the Misses Fenton,"
carriage for Col. Bellairs," carriage
for Mr.. Parkinson and ladies'" cried a
number of voices at once, and stream
of people drifted down the broad steps.
Miss Philpot langumgly advanced into
the hall. 1 followed closely. She was
without the prescribed dark wrap and
the tuberoses. She seemed not to have
the slightest idea of running away with
Mr.. Pillkins. Was it all mistake of
the Majors excited fancy after all? 1
could not help but think so. Still, 1
waited. Miss Philpot lifted her head
and glanced casually in my direction.
The stream of people melted away be-
fore her. AS 1 pushed my way
through the crowd that surged
into the broad hall, she step
ped quickly near the wide open door.
A roll of carpeting had been laid
down the steps and across the pave
ment. 1 worked my way toward her,
determined to keep her within reaching
distance. At that moment barouche
dashed up, and halted suddenly oppo-
site Miss Philpot
Carriage for Catherwood," cried the
driver. The door opened, as if by
magic-a tall form sprun9out.
Miss Philpot glided forward. At that
instant l recognized Mr.. Pilkins.
"No, you don't" said 1, clutching at
Miss Philpot's flowing robe, as she flew
toward him. The filmy dress gave way
in my hand; the carriage door closed
upon her white figure and the driver
put whip to the horses. A hack stood
next in line.
Fifty dollars to you if you follow and
overtake that carriage" L yelled to the
driver and jumped into the vehicle.
We tore down the street like mad,
leaving Maj Philpot standing at his
deserted home filling the night air with
imprecations. The flight and the pur-
suit had taken place in much less time
than it takes me to tell it now. 1t had
been almost instantaneous in its quick
ness, and did not like to be baked
at this stage in the game. Where now
was my revenge, and where too were
my hundred dollars? Come what would
l determined at all hazards to overtake
the runaway.
LAY ON the whip" cried to my
driver.
"The horses are in dead run" he
answered back. I'VE amt more than
half block behind Mr.. Pillkins."
"Then you recognized Pillkins?"
ooh, yes"
Keep 'em in sight, and if they stop
at any place, increase your speed an
catch up with them"
We raced down Broad street, turned
the corner of Fourth, and headed for
the river.
where can that Internal fellow be
going?" thought, watching anxiously
in advance of us. We chased them for
nearly an hour, when perceived that
we were gaining perceptibly. The
driver of the barouche noticed it, and
pulled up suddenly in the middle of
the road.
I'D like to know what in the deuce
you fellows are racing me for at this
time of night" cried he
Il want Miss Philpot," / retorted,
jumping down and opening the door of
the barouche
The driver laughed sardcnically.
"You won't find her here.
The night was nearly as light as day.
The moon shining so brightly that one
might almost have read print without
glasses, precluded the idea of her hav-
ing escaped from the carriage without
my knowledge.
"Miss Philpot," says 1, putting my
head inside the carriage, you must re-
turn to your father"
The carriage was empty; Miss Phil
pot was not there-nor yet Mr.. Pill
kins, either.
l was COMPOUNDED.
"What hocus-pocus work is this ?" 1
cried, angrily. "She was here, for L
saw her enter this very vehicle an hour
ago.
The driver laughed again; quiz
zing, hateful laugh that made me long
to knock him down.
"Oh, yes, to be sure she was here.
She just got in at one side of this here
coach, and she Immediately jumped
out at the other side, as per arrange
ment. And that there Pillkins had
big waterproof that he slipped over
her white ball dress and slipped her into
gig as was waitin' for 'em at the cor
ner. And they're man and wife by this
time, in spite 81 all the detectives in
Illinoy. Pillkins give me twenty dol
lars to race off here and lead you q
wildgoose chase, and I'm darned if it
hasn't been the best joke in the bust
ness to see you smart Alexis fooled so
neatly. Horror for Pillkins."
1t was enough TO make any man
swear, and i swore curses not only loud
But deep.
Both the drivers laughed
III take my fifty dollars, Mr..
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