The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-05-20
A RUNAWAY MATCH.

way unlll tne TeIuSdl VI " Iopucs1 NOuu
be felt like blow. 1t had come at last,
and she was In rebellious mood one
morning when Cordelia came in with
flowers to fll the vases Mrs. Phelps
or Cordelia, as she was called-was a re-
markable character She had come to the
Bushnell home well recommended as
housekeeper, and proved n most efficient
person, although subject to strange fits Of
melancholy and of humor.
She remained an unusually long time in
the parlor to-day, and all the while earn
estly regarding her young mistress. Flora
at last became impatient of her delay and
sharply inquired II she were not through,
when she clasped her hands and answered
earnestly;
"No, my dear young lady, I'm not
through; for make 80 bold as to want
to speak to you about what's on your mind
this morning"
Flora regarded her scornfully, without
deigning reply.
~ know you're thinking of an elope-
ment, miss, for heard what Mr.. Robert
Preston said when he parted with you on
the veranda last night"
$50 you play eavesdropper and spy
upon my movements, do you '" said Flora,
sternly.
"No, Miss Flora, but was looking on
the lawn for your mammals handkerchief,
lastevening and Isupposed you knew was
there until heard what was said, and
then knew was unseen"
~ presume you did your duty and In
formed my parents" sneered Flora.
Indeed, miss, did not but would
like TO talk TO you about 1t. know you
have set your heart on having Robert
Preston for your husband, aad that your
papa and mamma will not consent to the
marriage. VIII you let me tell you
story, Iiissl"
Flora was afraid to offend Cordelia,
now that she was acquainted with her
Acret plans, SO she said "You may
60 on"
"I know what II Is to run away and get
married, for did 1t. was an only child
like yourself, and had good home, with
everything comfortable, for my father was
farmer and owned the finest farm in our
neighborhood.
al was perfectly contented with my lot
until John Phelps came one winter to
teach our district school was called
pretty and rich, and so II wasn't long be-
fore the teacher began to flatter, court,
and make love to me. or course lost my
heart, and, deeming him perfection,
would have followed him TO the end Of the
world. When spring came and he was
going away he asked father II he might
have me for his wife. My father was
proud, cold man, and was often harsh and
severe toward those he didn't like, and he
had never liked John Phelps. Then he
was ambitious for me, because he thought
me handsome and smart. SO, when the
teacher asked him II he might marry me,
he said no with characteristic sternness,
and forbade him the house. was indig-
nant and resentful, and would not listen
TO reason or be comforted. sulked
around the house making myself and ev-
cry one else miserable. A few days after
had parted with my lover i went, one
evening at sunset. into the old school
house TO indulge my sorrows and dream OF
him. took my old seat, and, dropping
my head on the desk in front of me. /
sobbed aloud. Oh, the Joy and the sorrow
that had come into my life with the win
ter Just gone My weeping died away in
faint echoes as hand touched my shoul-
der, aud looked up to find my lover ut
my elbow, instead OF miles away as sup
posed He had stayed at the village await
ing an opportunity of speaking TO me.
Oh, how happy was ut seeing him again
and he, taking advantage Of the sentl-
mental mood In which he found me, per-
suaded me to elope with him that evening.
We drove TO the village, five miles away
ard were married by a justice. The train
that night bore us away to the city, 100
miles distant, where we arrived just rs n
chill, gray dawn was ushering In a rainy
April day. The sentimental romance Of
the night had fled and dreary longing
filed my heart, which even the presence
OF my new husband could not dispcl. He
took me to his home, dingy, comfortless
house on the outskirts Of the town, where
learned for the first time that he had u
mother and sister depending on him for
support. They were respectful toward
me, and had no welcome for the in
truder until he whispered TO them that
my father was wealthy and that they
would be provided for was so unforiu
nate as TO hear what he said and no
words can express my wretchedBess and
despair. Bitterly did repent my folly as
threw myself on the bed In my room and
sobbed ont my misery like little child.
When my father discovered my flight. and
with whom had gone, he fell In 1t OF
apoplexy, from which he never recovered,
and never saw him again. His execu-
tor robbed my mother Of al she had.
obliging her 10 seek a home with her
brother in the far west, all the fruits of
my folly and disobedience. Ny husband
was weak man, indolent and aimless,
possessing none OF the manly attributes
of one who appreciates the great RESPONSE
bilities Of life. Hewas greatly disappoint-
ed when my mother lost nll her property.
and was not always kind 10 me.
my husbands health had been failing
for some time, and when we had been
married ten years he died, leaving me
with two childrento support, boys Of Z and
9years. tried, oh, so hard, 10 live with
and worksfor them, bat became III. AS
grew better / was persuaded by the
friends who took care OF me during my
illness 10 put my children in an orphan
asylum. oh. my dear girl, profit by my
experience and listen to your parents; be
guided by them now, that your future be