St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-16
LOVED BY TWO.

49, 49, - w Os
VI suppose you are aware" said Mrs.
harrington to her nephew, ''that if you
marry before you are twenty-one with
out my consent your uncle's money is to
go to a charitable institution. Now,
Elma Wyant is good girl, but L think
yon might look higher than marrying
my governesS."
"lhen you mean," said Launt, that
you VIII not give your consent to such a
marriage?'
Exactly"
He picked up his hat and walked
toward the door.
81 love Elma,'' he said, ''and I intend
to marry her even if l lose the whole
fortune;" and with these words he
stepped out, leaving Mrs. Harrington in
bewildered state of mind.
The young man was crossing the gar
den, when he suddenly came upon
Elma, seated upon one of the rustic
benches. She started up suddenly on
his approach and tried to pass him, but
he caught her arm.
why do you avoid me?" he asked.
did you hear my conversation with my
aunt?''
Her hands trembled convulsively in
his clasp as she answered.:
Yes, was reading there when you
came in. Your voices reused me and
was Just going to come out from the cur
talnS when what | heard chained me
there"
'Then, Elma," Launt said, quietly,
you know all-that from the first mo-
ment my eyes rested upon your face
deep, Intense love for you entered my
heart. Is there any hope that can ever
win your love in return ?''
The girl hesitated; then natural truth
fulneSs gained the day. Raising her
soft eyes to his face, she said:
II will not deny that my own heart
responds to all you say-that already
my love is yours; but, Launt, | can
never be your wife. Please let me go
do not try to break my resolution. I
am poor, and too proud to ruin the
future of him love, or enter family
that does not want me-"
Opportunities to see her alone were
not offered on the succeeding days.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Harrington had taken
i'll: the doctor informed the family that
it was best for them all to leave the
house, as the invalid had every Symp-
tom of smallpox.
Elma, who was listener when he
made this announcement, at once vol
unteered to stay as nurse.
The doctor gaZed with amazement at
the speaker, while Launt, graSped
EIma's arm.
This is madness!" he exclaimed.
ITO think of periling your precious
lifer'
81 am not alarmed" the girl answered.
II can take every precautiOn that a
nurse would use. to ward Off contagion."
There was nothing for Launt to do but
to obey, and to convey himself and
nephews to the village hotel, there to
await results with anxiety.
On recovering. of course, Mrs. Far
ringtOn was full of gratitude to her
young nurse, and at once sent for Launt
to acquaint him with the change in her
views regarding the young lady.
go to her, Launt," she said. san
tell her what | have just told you.
Surely 1T will atone for the cruel words
you say she overheard"
And Launt needed no second bidding.
But neither in house or garden was
she to be found. Disappointed, he went
back to the house, His aunt met him at
the door with an open letter in her
hand.
"Hastenin she said. ''You may over
take her." Then in answer to his look
of establishments: "Elma has gone.
See; this will explain. | found it in
herr room Just now. Invent in, thinking
to find her there. She cannot be over
half way to the station"
Approaching wheels were soon heard
by Elma, and suddenly a carriage
stopped beside her.
''Stay, little runaway?" a gay voice
cried-a voice in which glad ness ran
riot; did you think to escape me so
easilyr'
Lifting her veil, Elma's startled ewes
met Launt's triumphant gaze. Too
much surprised by the suddenness of
his appearance and the assurance of his
manner to offer any resistance, almost
ere she realized what was happening,
| Elma found herself in a carriage by her
| lovers side.
"Elma," he said, as they drove rap
idly homeward, ''read this note of for
| giveness my aunt has sent you-penned
in haste, as you see, but with tears of
love and anxiety in her eyes, and then
have word to say for myself"
Launt watched her until she had fin
ished, reading, then, no one being in
sight, without waiting to ask perInis-
sion, he put out his arm and audaciously
drew her slight figure to his warmly
beating heart.
''Will you marry me, Elma? or do you
still intend to run away upon the first
OppOrtunity?'
And as EIma lifted her sweet mouth
to his eager careSS she was obliged to
acknowledge that love and fate were
too strong for her.