The Osceola times., 1885-02-21

shifting now than he used to do when
he was not always sure where his next
days dinner was to come from.
Many struggling dauber. TO whom
helping hand had been held out inst az
the waters of oblivion seemed about "a
sweep over his head. could have
tod a tale that would have confounded
such croakers, although the chief reason
which induced Bence Leyland to look
so carefully after the "bawbees" was
known to a few only Of his most init.
mate friends. His only sister had died,
leaving behind her four orphan children
to whom he was the nearest living rol.
ative. Those children had soon became
as dear to him as if they were his own,
and it was for the sake of them and
their future career in life that Leyland
boarded his money in way that he
would never have thought Of doing foI
himself alone.
After Frobisher had left him, Mr..
Pebworth wandered on, busy with his
own thoughts; and Of a very complexed
nature they were. Looking up at the
point where two footpaths iniersected
each othe:. he saw coming toward him
his daughter. Mrs. Pebworth, Drum.
mond and Captain Dyson. As soon n
Clunic perceived her father. she hurried
forward TO meet him. Taking him by
the arm. and keeping him well out OF
earshot OF the others, she said:
I've surprise in store for you papa"
Youth, my dear, abounds with sur
priscs; but at my time of life"
Now. don't begin to moralize.
papa. Captain Dyson has proposed to
me.
my darling Clunie! my sweet
daughter! Come to my heart"
" Bother"
This Is indeed rapturous moment
n moment that compensates for"
Papa, you are getting old and tire
some
fie, tie, my Clunie!'
Listen. Captain Dyson has pro-
posed; but he wishes to have runaway
marriage. without your knowledge or
sanction"
A runaway marriage! Hum! Why
runawayP'
"Oh, some silly notion he has got in.
to his head about its being romantic,
and all that. And then he is afraid, OF
pretends to be afraid that you will not
give your consent"
Mr.. Pcbworth laughed softly, and
pated the hand that rested on his arm.
Let him cherish the delusion, my dear
Clunie. The more difficult he finds il
to win you the greater the value he will
set upon You afterward." "
1--WE must not give him time to
change his mind
"Not a day-not an hour. Let the
match be runaway match, by all
means. He wants his little romance,
let him have it-and pay for il.
81 would much rather have had hall
dozen bridemaids, and have been mar
ried by Dean
Tut, tut, Don't be foolish. Who
can have all they wish for in This world?
In any case, you may depend upon my
secrecy in the matter. You will leave
little note for me on my dressing-table
IA slightly incoherent note-praying
for my forgiveness, e.-cetera. 1 shall
be thunderstruck. grieved, Indignant
distracted father, in fact. | shall tear
myhair--mctaphorically-and my call Cap
tain Dyson the destroyer of my child.
But by the time the honeymoon is over,
| shall be prepared to forgive you both
and to receive YOU with open arms"
"Ies. papa"
Before you 60, you may as well
look up for me that passage in King
Lear about an ungratelul daughter and
a serpent's tooth. The quotation will
sound effective in the first strong burst
of my grief and indignation"
Yes, papa. But will it be safe to
marry without settlements?"
First catch your husband. After
that, my Clunie, it will b. very strange
if YOU and can not manipulate a sim.
pleton like Captain Dyson in way that
will be eminently advantageous to both
of us. Only, put a curb on your tenn
per for q little while. You must on no
account allow him to think you any
thing lower than sublunary angel till
all pecuniary matters are satisfactorily
arranged Humor his every whim; al
low him still to believe himself the most
fascinating of tiger-slayers; keep on
listening 10 his stories with the same
breathless interest that you listen to
them now.
80 papa. TO what a fate you are doom
ing me. Those horrid stories, how
hate them"'
After time, you can have your re.
venge by refusing to listen TO another
rs long rs YOU live. You will take
Boucher with you, of course. She is
propriety itself, and will look afteryouI
comforts.
''Yes, papa"
"My blessing will go with you, Clu-
ME. 1t is indeed comfort TO par.
ent's heart TO see the excellent lessons
he so carefully inculcated in the day OF
youth--the moral principles he sedu
lonsly Lstilled-blossom forth into such
golden fruit, Would that all parents
were equally blessed"
"Of course. all the arrangements have
stil to be made but shall be in posi-
ton to tell YOU more tomorrow.
CHAPTER TX. ..
Scarcely had Miss Pebworth finished
giving her father an account of Captain
Dyson's proposal, and of the Intended
runaway marriage, when they 'eached
the glade in which the picnic had been
held. Here, few moments later, they
were joined by Mrs. febworth. Dick,
Mr.. Dempsey, rrobisher and Captain
DYSON
Mr.. Leyland and Elma. who had, as
already narrated, set out for short
stroll In the wood, did not go far before
they turned. Elma was afraid that the
others would be waiting for her; be-
sides which, she had woman's eurios
ity to learn the nature of the good news
4 !. l. = L