The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-21

ing your good papa"
'To be seriously offended is pas nor
nal condition." sad she, $50 it don't
much matter"
"You ure aware that I made o will in
your favor some time ago2" said I.
"And papa threatens to alter it i. !
show any desire to please myself IN nn--
thing" said Miss Matilda. 81 presume
he sent you here to say so. He has said
it very often l,imscl1. very cftcn, indeed
and I tell you, as I told him. that money,
though desirable, is nothing when il
stands in the way of the strongest feel
ings Of ones life. What is the use of
mincing matters? You know he objects
to my marriage, but I am of age; he 10
unreasonable. l intend to do as I please.
There's your answer"
'Madamc," said 1, "my message from.
your father is this: You are to return
/ {. c, under my cs: OFT, at once"
:tc. haps I shall refuse to CO." sale
she.
"Madame," said I, II am prepared for
that"
And then l brought in the legal
hocus-pocus with which I had armed
myself.
MADAME" said l, "though of age, it
IS necessary for you to show just cause
before you con refuse tc return to a pa-
rents roof. Nine days arc necessary for
a quit-claim. Meanwhile you are legally
a minor. Pending your proof before a
magistrate, 1 have authority to arrest
you and take you home. I do so in the
name of the law. I trust you will not
force me to put handouts upon q. lady's
wrists or to call in four police officers
and lodge you in Jail all night; but, be-
ing under bonds to your father, I shall
be obliged to do so if you resist; other
wise, can offer you my arm. and escort
you, as any gentleman might, to the rail-
way station"
AS she listened. all the pretty red color
faded from Miss Matilda's cheeks.
"What a dreadful thing law is" she
said. 81 had no idea such laws existed.
Then 1 suppose I must go with you.
But I'm not a baby. Show me YOUR
proots-your papers-whatever gives you
your right"
took from my pocket a lease written
on parchment and tied with red tape.
'Ihe warrant, madam" T said.
L turned over the edge of nv waistcoat |
and exhibited the pin of the jolly Good
Fellows Club of which I am a member.
My badge of Office, madam,"I said.
She turned paler still; she sat down
and began to cry. Suddenly she wiped
"May I write a note to tell somebody
why l break an engagement ?" she said.
land before I go down to that STUPID
hoic where papa wants to bury me, will
you go with me to the drcssmaker,s 2'
CERTAINLY" I said. To myself I re-
marked: "Shc will plan to escspc me- !
at the drcssmaker's. I must watch her
there"
Miss Matilda wrote the note. She sent
1t OIL belole my eyes, and without icav-
ing the room, she called, a maid to bring
her her lace shawl and a hat and vail.
And my pearl-colored gloves, Rose"
she added. "And, remember, pack every
thing nicely"
Then, having hidden good-by to her
weeping friend, who called her papa ga
brute, and who refused to be introduced
to me, we started off. AS we left the
house 1 watched her closely. There was
something in her face I did not like, but
l telt that I was master of the situation.
"Where docs your dressmaker live2n
asked.
She gave me the address. It was not
a ssore-a fashionable set of parlors in
street. There lay tho danger, and
| knew it.
"Miss Matilda" said 7. "you will for
me for reminding you that I cannot !
leave You even for u moment
N need to remind me of that" she
answered, In a tone that was not, to say
the least of it, very complimentary.
We walked down the street together.
l, as an elderly gentleman, felt that
| might offer her my arm. She was cana
bic, I saw, of running AWAY at any mo-
nent, but she did not un. She sanntered
slowly, staring at the shops as she went
On, and making remarks about the peo-
pie we passed. She carried a little bag
in her hand, and twirled it, as she walked.
in q reckless sort of manner,
What happened might have been ex-
At the turn of the street a young