Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-01-11

SHE'S asleep, he murmured under
his breath; my little ones asleep.
Time enough tomorrow morning"
And he crept out of the room on tip
toe. But Laura was not asleep. The
lip quivers, the eyelashes hang heavy
with tears as she lies there softly sob
bling to herself:
''Oh, papa? papa! l wouldn't mind
it so much if it were not that l was
decelving papa.
The faint moonlight had long ago
been extinguished in racks of driving
clouds, the rain was beginning to play
its soft tune on the leaves, and the
old clock ia the hall had just chimed
3, as Maurice Denvers waiting impa-
tiently by the clustered laburnums,
heard the great door creak softly on
its hinges, and then whispered voice
asked
Are you thereE'
But instead of the lily hand of pretty
Laura, a handbook was extended
through the darkness.
"Confound itr muttered Denvers,
under his breath, II never thought of
the DdSSdBEl Dut L tcIIlliNC ~
stow it away somewhere
A square box followed; then two
paper parcels; then valise.
"Oh, botheration! one would think
we were going to the East Indies for a
wedding tour" grumbleI Maurice.
That's a womans calculation all
over"
And then came a soft rustic through
the lcafy path, a 5mothered flush
sh ~ and in half a minute they were
driving down the lane speedily and
noiselessly."
About mile had been traverscd in
this way when Maurice leaned tender
| " towards his companion
Cheer up, dearest; we shall soon
| be there
There was no answer save an UNI
mistakable nasal sound.
She's asleep and, what's more, she s
snoringr' calculated Mr.. Danvers.
"Well, perhaps she's tired, poor
thing! It's just rs well, however; L
wanted time to arrange all my plans
and to think over what the next step
is to be-
The faint crimson of dawn was be
ginning to glow in the east when the
waterproof cloak and green veil at
Mr. Denvers side began to stir lit
tie.
| Dearest" he murmured softly,
bending down towards the dropping
head.
"Hain't we got to the depot yet?'
demanded a sleepy voice, interrupted
by a prodigious yawn. II declare
Eve got the cramp in my.legs and
toothache besides. Deuce take the
rain, say |. -
Mr.. Denvers drew up his horse with
a sudden jerk.
who are you" he demanded
hoAsely
"Who be |; Why, who should [ be
! but keturah Ann Green Mercy upon
us! faint Mike after all Hem
turn around take me home again
There's some hitch here that | can't
get the hang on, no how! | do b'lleve
| Maurice Denvers is goln to elope with
met Help! Murder! Thieves. You
cant marry me agln' my own free
will, anyhow. | woE' t say yes; | won't
| | won't,
Twill you hush, woman" stern
ly demanded Denve7s, pale with
anger and dismay "Who on
earth do you suppose wants to marry
youf
"WelI, them" demanded the iratc
spinster, what are you runnin' away
with me ior!'
| might with equal justice ask, lac
replied what are you leaving your
| brothers. house IN this mysterious
manner fOrt'
"Wcll, | might as we'll own at
once, said Miss Green desperately.
Speak the truth and shame that
What's -his name, they say. Mike
Kelley was goin' to drive me to the
four o'clock morning train, and Nike
wasn't coming back agin. You see,
Jotkam.advanced money to Mike, and
he's took most cruel advantage of it
ever since, and Squire Deane down to
the factory in our village wants more
hands, and was jest goin to help Il
poor oppressed teller creetur unbe-
knownst to lothian, and-Gracious
goodness, Mr.. Denver, do you want
to shake the life and soul out of me
that you're drivin' like all possessed
I've lost my veil-there go my false
teeth my back combs broke off. Oh
ohI'
Miss keturah Green broke INTO a
hystcrical sort of a tIll, holding on to
the side of the carriage as it ratified
III ~ tl,n ,,Nnl al -
Denver never ceased his pace unit
he reined up abruptly at the little
station.
"There,' he said viciously, "You've
ruined my prospects, If that is any
consolation to you
And before she could pour forth
her wrath the carriage had disappeared
down the road
Our little heroine also had heard
the soft steps through the hall, the
subdued murmur of voices, and the
mutl'led roll of carriage wheels.
He has come, murmured Laura to
herself. ooh, must see papa once
moro before | go.
She stole softly to her fathers room.
AS she opened the door, light
>treamed into the hall. Squire Green
was sitting at his table, awake and
dressed
Laura" He started as he saw her
white, agitated face. "Daugh.er!"
And he drew her tenderly to his
side.
I'm not sick, little one. Don't be
frightened; but got news last night
that | couldn't sleep on. See"
He gave her the letter from the
bank. She glanced over it with di-
lated eyes and blauchlng cheeks.
Father, it is not possible that Maui
rice has forged Your name that he is
Il villain
There is the best possible proof,
Laura. The officers are on his track
already"
And Laura, clinging, pallid and
trembling To her fathers side, began
to realize what narrow escape She
had made.
Half an hour after sunrise Maurice
Denvers was arrested for the crime of
forgery. The elopement-which had
baen his sole hope for surely, he fam
cied lothian Green would hardly de
liver his daughters husband up to the
penalties of the law-had proved