The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-09-14

oaA&A A0ss4AS mn PiOoo MAS Ups oPOh ucA
hand for reward.
1t was no comfort to tho sisters that
Harry Turner, a handsome young fell
low of twenty-five or six. came down
from the city every Sunday. to devote
himself to Elsie.
1T is all done to make papa Jealous"
Miss Selma said. "Mrs. White il far
too cunning to make the counting too
easy. It makes the matter more ex-
citing to introduce rival"
But suddenly there was a change,
and hope once more sprang up in the
hearts of the spinsters. 1t must not be
supposed that there was open hostility
between the cottages. Far from it.
Two or three times q week the ladlee
took tea together. and Mrs. Whites
sweet smile always greeted the sisters
when they met. They were openly
caressing to pretty Elsie. if they longed
in secret to strangle her. and Georgina
was especially demonstrative to the
''little cat" fearful of revenge il their
worst fears were realized.
So it was to Georgina that Elsie one
day opened her heart, confiding the
fact that she loved Harry Turner with
all the fervor of first young love, and
would never give way to her mothers
plans.
"You must not be offended because
he is YOUR father" Elsie said. 'becauee
I think he is perfect darling, and !
am ever so fond of him. Mamma need
not tell me every day that l must be
respectful and attentive to him. because
1 have no desire to be rude. But then,
Miss Georgina, can't marry him. just
imagine the absurdity of making me
your step-mother. Why, l was only
eighteen last month"
HAS he asked you to marry him?"
Miss Georgina asked, grimly.
mo; but he will, l am sure. and
mamma will make me accept him. un-
less-oh, Miss Georgina, do you think
it would be very. very wicked If l
eloped with Harry"
Il think you are fully justified in do
ing it." said Georgina, trying not to
show her exultation.
HE has good salary" said Elsie.
sand have half poor papa's property
when marry or come Of age. We
should not be very rich. but We would
have plenty. Oh. Miss Georgina,
would you-would you help u.s."
"Help your
"Yes. Ii could bring some of my
clothes over here. and pack in one Of
your trunks, and come to tea some
evening. and get away from your back
door in time to NEE. the evening train.
And-oh, 1 know am asking great
favor, if you would go with me to the
city, and stay with me until l am mar
ried, Oh. could you? Would you'
Just faint show Of hesitation, and
Miss Georgina consented. They could go
to the city for a days shopping, send
ing the trunks by express to hotel
where Harry Turner could meet them.
Words can not describe the rapture OF
Selma when this plan was contided to
her. 1t was with difficulty she was pre-
vented from offering to join the party,
and make sure the little cat was actu-
ally safely married.
1t was one week later. when Mrs.
White. calmly knitting in her porch.
listened for the whistle of the evening
train, by which Elsie was to return
from her davis ehopping with Georgina
Watkins. She was not a nervous per-
son. but when the whistle had long died
away, and she saw the station carriage
stop at the opposite cottage, she did
wonder that Elsie did not rush home in
her usual impetuous fashion. Still
more did she wonder. when Mary, Miss
Georgina's maid. tripped across the
road with a letter. But smile, a
smile of intense amusement, lowered
over her lips as she read the epistle.
which was from Elsie:
DEAR DEAREST MANNA-Do forgive me.
can not, indeed can not marry Mr.. Watkins,
and Harry would certainly commit suicide il
did I think he is ever so nice, and not SO
awfully old either. But never could be mann.
ma to Selma and Georgina even If did not love
Harry. But could not give Harry up, and We
were married this morning. Miss Georgina was
with me, and will tell you all aboutit. Don't
be very angry. please, mamma I will always
be your loving daughter, but could not marry
Mr.. Watkins. ELSIE"
To which epistle Mrs. Turner re-
ceived the following reply:
"You LITTLE GOosE:-Nobody wanted you
to marry Mr.. Watkins. not even that gentle
man himself, who has been engaged to me for
three months. You have quite upset our plans.
for thinking you too young to marry anybody,
we int nded to take you to Europe with US in
tn, fall. Since, however, you have chosen &c
act FOR yourself We have decided to sail on
Saturdays steamer. We were married this
morning. and my husband is a: present on his
way TO New York, where 1 Join him tomorrow,
Is we prefer to impart the news by letter to his
aniable daughters As this cottage is paid for
until October. Ihave arranged for you to occupy
ii until then. and for you to take possession OF
the city house. afterwards, as We shall remain
abroad for some years.
Il hope you will be very happy, my dear little
| Elsie. and am quite ready to give mothers
| love to Harry. Be sure you are an anectionate
daughter 10 -FOUR new papa who will stop to
see yeu- on his way 20 New York I send this
in advance OF his call. AID my own visit
Lovingly your mamma.
ELLEN WATKINS"
We draw a vail over the arrival oil
Mrs. Watkins letter at the Grovedale
Cottage. Shields, IN Neac York
Ledger.
An Abstruse vagabond.
A tramp walked back and knocked