Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-01-26


Tom followed ut respectful distance.
which was kept for more than q mile
while they we're on the public road then,
when Sadie, governed only by her own
sweet will, turned into an unfreQuented
bywav, he 0beyed the invitation she
looked, and rode beside her.
Their horses fell into q walk, and
walked unheeded BY their riders for
hours. The wide difference between the
aristocratic Mr. Macy 5 daughter aud Mr..
needed, too, that when that goodman
lifted that daughter from her pony be-
fore her fathers door she had promised
to be the coachman's wife.
There was an itinerant minister some
miles from the village, whom Tom would
visit that afternoon and make arrange
ments for their marriage the next even
ing.
1t was hurried, certainly, but Sadie
was afraid their love would be suspected
and tho coachman dismissed.
Tom had his own reasons for fastening
it. 1t may be he feared she would change
her mind if the marriage was delayed,
and he would lose her after all.
They were still to live at Mr.. Mays
till Tom found better employment.
TIE horses were saddlcd at the APP
pointed hour the next evening, and Sadie
was in her riding habit, arranging her
hat with trembling hands, when SER
want came to say that visitors had ar
rived,
'sTell mamma she must excuse me,
said Sadie. 81 am gong to ride.
The maid departed, and in a moment
Mrs. Macy appeared.
'Have you no regard for appearances2o
she cried, Mortified. Indeed. you're
not going to slight the Westons, and
ride with Tom alone this time of night. y
''But hate the Westons, and Tom is
so safe, mamma. You know he don't
drink"
''It wasn't who turned Pat away for
drinking. Go and change your dress.
Sadie studied moment, as If she were
thinking what dress to put on.
Dear. what shall wear9 NY white
nuns yelling will do won't it? Will you
stay and help me? Then / can be down
the quicker. =
Mrs. Macy gladly did so, and when
the simple toilet was completed she went
down to greet the guests, while Sadie
ran to the garden for few flowers
Her resolve had been instantly taken.
She would elope with Tom that night,
although he had nothing to do if he left
her fathers employ.
There was no time like the present.
nor was there any knowing what might
occur another time, if they delayed, to
prevent the marriage.
= Tom was waiting with the horses.
She told him what had happened
I" I'm not sorry, y he said I'D rather
take you away tonight, and have your
little self all my own right away. was
thinkin' of it afore you came out. was
afeard somethin' had happened to keep
you away altogether"
81 wouldn't let anything happen" she
answered.
He lifted her on her pony, and, mount
ing his own, they went softly and silent
~ out of the grounds by rear gate.
It was some distance to the minister's
house, but they were not long in reach
ing it, and with the shortest possible SER
vice were made man and wife.
There was a large yard around the
dwelling, and no lane to the door, so
they had left their horses at the gate.
Well" Tom asked, as the door
closed, "what are we going to do now2''
''Oh, Tom! you know ! DON'T
He looked at her quizzically, then
took her hand and led her down the
path.
9 You can't 90 back home"
ooh, mol Mamma will be SO angry
with msi''
sadie, look at me"
The moon was shining brightly, and
the dark face bending over her was as
plainly seen as by day.
"Will you always love me9'
Always, alwaysF'
Suppose you find out that am not
all you thought me-that ] have deceiv-
ed you as much as you have deceived
your father-would that change your
lover"
Not one bit, I" she said.
There was little pond near the gate,
and he stopped by it.
IT am almost afraid to try you, for the
test is great. Maybe / ought to have
told you before we were married, but /
was SO afraid Of losing you"
In Sadie's fear that something terrible
was going to be revealed to her. she
didn't notice how the coachman's gram
mar had suddenly improved.
Trust me, she murmured.
Say nothing can change your love-"
Nothing can"
81 must believe you"
He stopped and wet his handkerchief
in the water, and passed it over his face;