Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-12-14


you succeeded ~
"Splendidly," replied Frank.
sch ? You don't mean it"
cried Mr.. Starcher, springing to
his feet and clasping Franks hand
warmly. "By JOve, | congratulate
you, my boy. Is she big catch
real sea serpent ? Ehi Who
is she, my boy ? And is every
thing been settled 7"
"Not so fast, Starch" said Frank
laughing, "not so fast. To an
swer shortly, she is a big catch
and everything is settled-at least,
so far as she and | are concerned.
What the papa will say is a differ
ent matter, but we don't intend 10
consult him."
ooh, It's a runaway business, is
IT."
ayes, I'm afraid it must be-
"Why, this is delightful y cried
the old man, enthusiastically
"YOu can command me my boy,
don't forget that, don't forget that.
But, come, tell us all about it
Who is she? Where did you fall
in with her p
"At Brighton. | went there and
did as you advised me. And, at
one of the Pavilion balls | fell in
with her-not only fell in with her,
but fell in love with her.
81 know" said Mr.. Starcher, with
a wink, "in love with her pile"
"No, seriously and truly with
herself,' answered Frank earnestly.
"She is a charming girl. Charming
enough to turn any fellows head If
she hadn't farthing."
"But she has several, eh y said
Mr.. Stuart Starcher, with another
wink and a sly leer.
"Oh, yes, she's heir to all her
father has, and besides she is en-
titled on coming of age to con-
siderable fortune under her
mothers will
"That's the sort OF thing, my
boy, that's the sort of thing. You
ought to let me go halves with you
for giving such good advice, 'pon
my word you ought. That shows
you, my lad, tina. when you want
wrinkle you can not DO better than
come to old Starch he's as cute
as they make them. But what is
she ? A manufacturers daugh ter !"
"NO," replied Frank, with a
slightly troubled look, "that's Just
the difficulty. The fact is, she's
the only child of man whom l
know pretty well, and from whom
/ have received many kindnesses.'
"Welll And what's the diff.
Guilty there ?" asked Mr.. Stuart
Starcher, assuming a puzzled look.
"Well, you see, it seems to me
that to run away with friends
daughter is rather a shabby return
for his klndnesses to you. In tact,
it seems hardly honorable"
"Pm afraid | do," answered
Frank, gloomy.
"Well, you're a fool for your
pains"
"Rut, under the circumstances,
would you run off with her"
"Of course | would
The Hon. Frank was silent a
moment. Then he said "There's
another point on which | want TO
consult you. She's not yet of age,
and I'm afraid the father might
prosecute me for carrying her of.
| believe he could"
ayes, suppose he could and
would, too" replied Mr.. Starcher,
''it he caught you while his blood
was up. But you should take her
abroad, and remain out Of his reach
for a month or two"
"But that would cost money"
objected Fra nix, sand neither SHE
nor have any just at present. II
will be very different, of course,
when she comes OF age"
"Oh, my dear boy,' said Mr.
Stuart Starcher, magDificently,
"don't trouble about that. Didn't
l tell you you nigh t command me?
How much would do you ? Would
$500 be enough ?"
"You're extremely kind" replied
Frank, "mOst kind. Yes, $500
would be- just about the thing"
"Here's a check, then," said Mr..
Starcher, at once filing one up for
the amount. "And now, as an
old friend, may | know the lady's
name 7"
Frank shook his head.
"Sorry," he said, Every sorry,
but | really can't tell you. prom
ised her / would tell no one"
"Who can she bew wondered
Mr.. Stuart Starcber.
"YOu needn't trouble your mind ,
for you would never guess,' said
Frank. "By the way, / hope to
carry her off the day after TO-
morrow
"Thats right; lose no time" /"
said the old beau sand be sure
you telegraph and let me know the
moment the marriage is over.'
From that moment Mr.. Stuart
Starcher was IN a state of high ex'
citement. There was to be a great
scandal in the fashionable world,
4