Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-07-17

grew eyes twInKnng with . cunning
smile. but, though, wouldn't do
no good if did," she added reflective
", fur he's spry as cat an could
climb out of the winder in no time.
Uncle Geoffry scowled at the wild
ow's suggestion, and endeavored to
dismiss ii from his mind; but It would
not be.
I'D lock him up if l could" he
muttered vindictively. ''or do anything
practicabl to keep him from disgrac-
ing himself by marrying any connec-
ton of that woman's."
"Ain't no place you could lock him
in," commented the widow. '.If the
winders was only high an tight now.
like them in the new church-house, you
might do it. Couldn't nothin' git out
O. them-not even 8 cat"
The new church! Sure enough.
There was the big Bible Uncle Geoffry
had bought in the city to be presented
to the church.
He might-he could-he would take
it over to-day, send Ariel in to leave it
in the pulpit. and quietly turn the key
on him, keeping him q prisoner for q
few hours, thus preventing the elope-
ment, for the time being at least.
'.And who knows but the girl will
refuse to speak to him, after being dis
appointed oncep" he thought. mo
doubt she's little spitfire, like her
aunt"
And as Uncle Geoffry had planned
it. so it happened
Hum! Wonder who'll be a-want-
ing key next?" grumbled Dick Petit
grew, as he watched the uncle and
nephew drive leisurely away down the
grassy road leading to the church.
''Somethin' must be a-goin' on there, l
reckin-"
"My backs so lame l won't go in,"
declared Mr.. Theobald carelessly.
But when his nephew had disap-
peared within the portals of the church,
he made no bones Of jumping down
after him, quickly turning the key in
the lock, and climbing back to mis- seat
in the buggy again, with more alac-
rity than might have been expected,
considering his "lame back"
Half an hour after Mr.. Theobald had
driven homeward over the grassy road
again. Dick Pettigrew, whose curiosity
had got the better of his laziness, be-
took himself to the new church ito see
what was going on, sure enough"
He was somewhat surprised to find
only smiling young couple, promen-
aiding the gloomy aisles of the sanctu-
ary.
Hello, Dickl You want to sweep
up or something. l SUPPOSED" smiled
Ariel pleasantly.
And with Camilla leaning on his
arm, they coolly walked out of the
door and away.
The shadows of eventide were slowly
setting down around the grassy knolls
and why dells of Locust Hill
The cows came home with painting
sides and dripping dew laps, gently
tinkling their bells and chewing their
euds, as they slowly ''wended their
weary way in homeward direction"
TOO late for this elopement to-day"
thought Miss Jacintha complacently,
as she pushed open the ponderous
church-door, and ran plump into the
arms of rather stout, elderly gentle
man. with bald spot on the top of his
head.
"Hey-what-madame" puffed the
gentleman, who was NO other than Mr..
Geoffry Theobald himself
"Where-where is my niece?" de-
manded Miss Jacintha, nearly fainting
with surprise and alarm.
How the deuce do you suppose 1
know where your niece isP Where is
my nephew, | sayp
But l shut her up here" groaned
Miss Caramel desperately, land she's
gone!''
Shut her upP" sputtered Uncle
Geoffry. why, shut him up to keep
him away from her, and"
Then it all came out.
'And Of course they're married by
this time," soDbed Miss Jacintha, wip-
ing her eyes.
Choleric as he was, Uncle Geoffry
could not stand the sight of a woman's
tears.
..Don't-don't cry" he begged.
Whereupon Miss Jacintha only cried
the more.
MIR. Theobald grew desperate.
'tf you hadn't refused me twenty
years ago, you wouldn't object to their
being married." he declared bitterly.
But was sorry for it, and wrote
for you to come back again, but you
wouldn't" murmured Miss Jacintha be-
hind her handkerchief.
at amt too late now," suggested
Uncle Geofry artfully. why can't
we elope as well as the youngsters.
Jacintha?"
And after little more persuasion,
the tears were displaced by smiles.
Next day q comfortabl-looking mid
dle-aged couple were ushered into the
parlor of the parsonage by the min
ister's wife herself.
Too late, Uncle Geoffry-too late,
Aunt Jacintha!" cried Ariel Theobald,
coming gaily forward. with Camilla
clinging to his arm. The knots al
ready tied"
1T is, heyP" responded Uncle
Geofry good-humoredly. Suppose
we make double knot of it thenP'
And before Ariel or Camilla had re-
covered from their surprise. Uncle
Geoffry and Aunt Jacintha had Joined
hands before the minister, and the
marriage service was already being
pronounced.