Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-31
CORA'S ELOPEMENT.

Some back as soon as possible, ="
were the words of the dispatch that
reached Mr.. Sanford In his counting
room at 2:30 o'clock on the afternoon
of December Oath 18-.
What could be the matter? 1t
seemed impossible for the merchant
to leave his business at that time; and
he was on the point of asking What had
happened the massage bvre the
signature of his wife, who would not
have summoned him unless for some
very urgent purpose,
Informing his head clerk of his
necessary absence, Mr.. Saford hur-
ried on his hat and coat, hailed a pass
ing cab, and ten minutes later was at
the door of his own residence.
ooh, husband II exclaimed Mrs. San
ford, meeting him in transport of
excitement and grief. ''Our dear
child has left us--been gone two
hours At first we thought nothing
of il; but on looking into her room I
have discovered that the best of her
clothes are gUne, also ner jewel
casket."
Can it be possible !" exclaimed Mr..
Sanford, scarcely less agitated than
his wife, that she has taken her
bonds from the safe deposit, and has
them also with herr"
Gould she get them without your
knowledge?'
Certainly, if so disposed. The
little fortune that she received from
her grandfather amounting to eight
thousa2d dollars. was placed, as you
know, under her control on her
eighteenth birthday, six months ago.
She has always been SO true and faith
full, and cot disposed to conceal any
thing from US, that thought it per-
fectly safe to let her have control of
her money. Do you think it possible,
my dear" he added, after a snort,
troubled pause, "that that man Bliv-
ems, whose attentions we have dis
cOuraged until we thought he had
given her up, is st the bottom of this
shameful affair? However, [ will soon
find out if il is So" and catching up
MS hat, he hastily left the house.
hifteen minutes after his departure
the postman's ring was heard, and
letter was handed to the almost fran
tic mother, which confirmed her worst
apprehensions. 1t read:
''MY DEAR PARENTS (whom [ shall
never cease to love- When this
reaches you it will be too late to look
for me, or prevent me from marrying
the man whom I believe to be the best
friend [ have in the world. I am
simply awaiting myself of my natural
right TO marry one whom l lOYe, apd
without yonr consent, Which I have
tried in vain to secure. You will see
me no more until ] receive from you
an invitation to return and bring
with me my husband, to be treated IN
every respect as if he enjoyed, as he
will deserve. your fullest confidence.
l shall have with me lady friend,
whom you have seeG on one occasion,
but did not think best to invite to the
inequalities of our house. l believe
her to be a good, true woman, and
nave the most perfect confidence IN
her. Within a week you will learn
at what point I can be reached by
letter. do not suppose you Will be-
lieve me when / say l am as ever,
''Yaur affectienate daughter,
Corr"
The letter dropped from the moth
ers hand, and her head sank upon
the table beside her, while a sad heart
breaking moan escaped her lips.
She was still sitting thus, not hav
ing moved or scarcely stirred, when
Mr.. Sanford returned, after an alb
sence of three hours. After reading
the letter which his wife silently
handed him, he said:
It have a good deal more than this
TO tell you, but nothing that looks
any more hopeful or encouraging.
Cora drew her bonds from the safe
deposit yesterday. That scoundrel
Bivens, as we feared, has gone with
her, or at least has left the city, also
the Daggett woman, who is undoubt-
edly actinga as his aceomplice. Our
poor, deluded child was seen to leave
home at half past twelve o'clock to-
day, having nothing with her except
5 small sachel. Her travelling valise
must have been passed out of the
house last night in some way"
mo doubt the work of that base
woman, whom she has taken into her
confidence" said Mrs. Sanford. ''But
have you no information as to the di-
rection they have taken?'
81 have simply learned" continued
Ger husband, that Cora, on leaving
the house, walked to the third corner
above, and there stepped into an
empty carriage and was driven rapid
~ away. The Daggett woman left her
lodging place about the same time,
taking an uptown car. Mr.. Blivens
has not been seen at any of his re-
sorts since about noon to-day. These
are all the facts have been able to
gather up to this time, in regard to
the manner of her departure.
Il hope this disgraceful affair will
not get into the papers!" said the
mother, with heavy sigh.
mot unless by my direction. But
if nothing should be heard of OF,
child by tomorrow night, it may be
best to get the newspapers to help us
find her, if possible. l have no doubt
that the william and the woman who