Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-20


dappled with red, and the next
clear, brunette tint. She had white
teeth and pretty hands, and / knew
by the way she looked at me that she
had spirit; but knew, also, that wo-
men are ignorant of law, and so /
thought that could manage her.
"Miss Middlebury?" said 1.
eyes, sir" said she.
"Mr. Martin, of Martin, Grub &
Co.," l said, bowling.
81 am very much pleased to see
you, Mr.. Martini" said she. "I've
heard papa speak of YOU"
"My dearest friend-one of them,
at least" I said. "Your father is a
man for daughter to be proud of,
Miss Middlebury."
eyes," said she, 81 suppose SO.
And what did papa tell you to say to
mew
"My dear young lady," said 1,
Edo you know that you are seriously
offending your good papa?"
ITO be seriously offended is pas
normal condition." she replied, $50
it don't much matter"
"You are aware that made will
in your favor some time ago." I
asked.
"And papa threatens to alter it if |
show any desire to please myself in
anything" said Miss Matilda. 81
presume he sent you here to say so.
He has said it very often himself,
very often, indeed and 1 tell you, as
l told him, that money, though de-
sirable, Is nothing when it stands in
the way of the strongest feelings of
ones life. What is the use of min
cling matters? You know he objects
to my marriage, but am of age; he
is unreasonable. 1 intend to do as l
please. You have my answer"
Madame" said, "my message
from your father is this: you are to
return home, under my escort, at
once"
"Perhaps / shall refuse to go with
you," she said.
MADAME" said, clam prepared
for that"
And then I brought in the legal
hocus-pocus with which I had armed
myself.
MADAME, though of age, it is nee
essary for you to show just cause be-
fore you can refuse to return to a pa
rents roof. Nine days are necessary
for quit claim. Meanwhile you are
legally minor. Pendingyour proof
before magistrate, l have authority
to arrest you and take you home. l
do SO in the name of the law. trust
you will not force me to put hand
cuffs upon lady's wrists, or to call
in four police officers and lodge you
in Jail all night; but, being 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 railway station"
AS she listened, all the pretty, red
color faded from Miss Matilda's
cheeks.
"What dreadful thing law isl"
she said. 81 had no idea such laws
existed. Then I suppose 1 must 60
with you. But Pm not a baby. Show
me your proofs-your papers-what-
ever gives you your right"
} | took from my pocket lease
written on parchment and tied with
red tape.
"The warrant, Madame" | said.
l then turned over the edge of my
waistcoat, and exhibited the pin of
the Jolly Good Fellows Club, OF
which am member, and said:
"My badge of Office, Madame"
She turned palerstill; she sat down
and began to cry. Suddenly she
wiped her eyes, and said:
"May writea note to tell some.
body why break an engagement
And before / 60 down to the stupid
; hole where papa wants to bury me,
will you 60 with me to the dress.
! maker's?"
"Certaiuly," 1 replied. To myself,
/ ssid: "She will plan to escape me
at the dress-maker's. I must watch
her there"
Miss Matilda wrote the note. She
sent it off before my eyes, and with.
/ out leaving the room she called a
maid to bring her her lace shawl and
! a hat and veil. "And my pearl-col.
ored gloves, Rose" she added. "And,