The Delta independent., 1888-03-20
CHAPTER LII.
ELFIE HAS HER OWN WAY.


In his anger Mr.. Ravenswood forgot,
OF his return home, to make inquiries
for truant Ellie.
/ Paul L'Estrange had waited for her
with dog cart just out of sight OF
Hillsdale, and she had gone out to meet
him as soon as her father had started
for Lord Cranburn's, and had passed a
wonderous happy afternoon by his side,
reaching home again In time for dinner.
And every day the lovers continued
to have interviews, which proved as
sweet as the proverbial stolen apple,
until all the people in Muthill were
talking of the young pair.
One afternoon Lord Cranburn and
Elfe's father met face to face. The
latter would have passed him by, but
Ellie had taken Paul over to Cragstone,
and had instructed her sometime e-lover
as to his future conduct.
"Good day, Ravenswood," said his
lordship lightly. 81 have not seen you
for an age, but cannot let you pass
without congratulating you upon your
daughter engagement. She might
have made a better match, of course,
but affection is everything in these mat
ters. You see, my friend, that 1 was
right in retiring from the contest. l
should object to being refused, and was
scarcely likely to make satisfactory run
ming against such man as Paul
L'Estrange.
the rainbow. First red with rage,
then the blood receded and left him
white; but as the full meaning of his
former friends words broke upon him,
his complexion became livid with sup
pressed feeling.
"You are totally wrong" he gasped.
81 should not sanction such an engage
ment.''
Have you told her sop
Undoubtedly.
"Well, you are wrong, Ravenswood.
You have let your daughter go her own
way too long to expect her to follow
yours now. it might be worse. The
young people are really in love with
each other, and Miss Ravenswood is not
the girl to jilt her lover. She will
marry him with or without your con-
sent"
.'I wouldn't give her penny"
al 'Estrange won't care a jot for
that. He's more or less bohemian,
and has no appearances to keep up"
"He shall not have her.
"For your daughter S sake you should
not oppose it Ter happiness is at
stake, and besides. you cannot be aware
how her intimacy with L'Estrange has
been talked about If they marry there
is an end of the matter; if not. it will
be remembered against her.
81 speak for your own sake as well
as for your daughters, believe me. If
you are wise you will not drive into a
worse position. She is a good girl, even
though she has defed you in this Ii at
ter, and you had better countenance
rather than thwart herr" and withSa
familiar nod, his lordship passed on,
leaving Mr. Ravenswood mad with
despair, then blue with impotent fury.
1t was seldom the good man did give
way to temper. but when he did it was
a caution.
Poor Mrs. Ravenswcod had not a
very good time of it upon her husband g
return.
Her eyes had b. en- opened by de-
grees to Ellie g love affair, SO 1t came
with no great shock to her; but she had
not cared to be the first to tell her lord
and master of his only cbild's disobe-
diepce, and she looked more leniently
upon her fault than did Mr.. Ravens.
wood.
To women there is always halo
around a love affair, whether 1t be q
wise or foolish one, and she was quite
ready to forgive Ellie, if only her father
would follow suit.
Lord Cranburn is right. George
Fife has made up her mind it is useless
TO try and turn her. We had better moi
drive her away from us. for. after all
sbs g eag Oaii eilld, end her Happiness