The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-04-11
AN ELOPEyENT
Which Ended Happily, but Not as
Planned.

When old silverton. the teabroker, died in
The fullness of wears and the odor Ct city re-
spectability. it was pretty generally prophesied
that his widow would not long remain lncon-
solable For Mrs SlvertOn was but little over
thirty. being a good forty years younger than
her late husband; she was good looking, at
tractive and without drawbacks IN the shape
ofchildren More important perhaps, than all,
she had q comfortable income OF SIX thousand
wear which she did not lose IN the case OF
second marriage But for some time Mrs. Sill
vertOn falsife3 the predictions OF her acqnalnt-
ances She removed from the pretentous and
doleful splendor of her defunct spOuse's man
sion at Norwood and took pretty little house
III Mavfair With her brother, Major CTasheT,
she went out much into society-better society,
be it said than old Silverton had been wont TO
mix Without Tor a long time she eyinced no
intention whatever OF changing her condition.
This fact somewhat ast0nished the quldnuncS;
but there were several reasons for her delay in
making a fresh matrimonial experiment. To
begin with, her first had not been successful,
for Silverton was a terrible old cad, and do
nestle tyrant 70 boot; then the widow was OF
romantic and sentimental disposition, all the
more, perhaps, because her first marriage had
been one Of convenience. and she determined
now TO marry 10 man with whom she was not
in love: and, thirdly, Major Crasher was very
serious obstacle in the way Of prospective hus-
bands. This worthy gentleman, III fact, lived
upon his sister. He had retired from the army
Oh hall-pay at forty, and his whole income did
not exceed 9400 year, an amount which. need
less to say, by no means correspondent with has
wants. Hence he spared no effort 10 induce MS
sister 10 remain in 4 state Of widowhood, and
many were the devices TO which he TesoTted III
order 10 gain this end. Some Of her suitors he
absolutely frightened away. for he was big,
ferocious looking man, and a notorious bruis-
er; TO others-the impecunious ones-he lent
money in small sums, and then dunned them
so persistently that they gave up visiting; and
if he thought q man was really dangerous he
had a knack Of picking up some queer detail
about his past life, which, of course, he rctailed
10 Mrs. Silverton, and SO on through the list
And SO long as the lady's own affections were
not deeply engaged the Majors plans worked
TO perfection.
But among the most frequent visitors at the
widows house IN CuTZOn street was gentle
man who was beyond the reach alike of the
Majors threats or persuasions, and for that
reason caused the crafty warrior endless un-
easiness and perturbation of spirit. And this
was the Hon. Percy Rapless, younger brother
OF the Earl Of CoffertOn. The Hon. Percy pos
sessed every qualification calculated to recon-
mend him IN female eyes, except cash, charac-
ter, and reputation. Every available sovereign
he had long since got rid Of, and he subsisted
now upon his wits and few hundreds grudg-
incly doled out TO him by his brother His
character was more than shady, and his deal
ings with the fair sex VIGOROUSLY scandalous.
STILL he was popular sort of scamp; women
liked him because be was handsome, amusing,
sympathetic, and possessed a number Of the
small accomplishments which are welcome In
the genus tame cat; and men who would not
have dreampt of being mixed up with him in
money transactions voted him an excellent
companion and good sportsman. Small Won
DER that the Majors heart sank within him
hen fccn fraesr aunh m laI
siege to the hand and fortune of Mrs. Silverton.
Why do you let that fellow hang about
your" he inquired one day Of his sister.
What fellow?" she asked with assumed in
nocence.
why, that scamp, Rapless, of course" growl-
ed the Major.
"My dear Alec, because he's so useful. He
srranges all my parties for me, and settles the
decorations; he's musical, too, and finds out
the new waltzes; besides, he has such taste
Look how beautifully. he has draped those cur
tainsw
"NOnsenselo grOwled the Major. "He's a
scamp tel you! He'd swindle anybody, and
as Tor women"
Well, lie doesn't swindle me-" said Mrs Sill
verton, snsppishly; and he knows all the
best people, so his reputation doesn't matter.
And he does not make love to me- either" she
continued, with slightly heightened color.
which is more than can say for sumo of your
friends"
The Major saw that he had gone too far.
!" ] only meant to warn you, Teresa" he re-
marked humbly. 81 don't think he is desir-
able friend"
" You are always warning me-" she retorted,
and the sHbiect dropped; but Crasher felt in
stinctively that there was danger in the air
and he was right.
The attraction Of the Hon Percy had I'M
doubtedly made q deep impression upon the
widows heart. She was romantic and senti-
mental, and so was he. when it suited his pur-
pose TO beso He quoted poetry TO ber-Byron
Shelly, and De Musset; his taste in window
curtains and wall papers was unimpeachablei
be could sing little, play the piano a little
and was never al loss for conversation. Still
she distrlsted him, and had il not been for the
Majors WaTning-whicb, Of course, had an
effect exactly contrary to that which was in.
tended-Mr Rapless might not have stood 50
high IN her good graces. There was also an.
other reason which disposed her To listen favor
ably to the Hon. Percy's advances. and this
was such an eminently feminine one as to re-
euire some little calculation. Among her adj
mlrers was certain John LangtOn. a b2rrister
comparatively briefess, poor, reserved, and des-
perately proud. Langton came to the little
house al -Curzon street apparently because be
could not help himself de never made love
70 the widow, which piqued her not little
bet then he scarcely ever opened his lips to any
other woman, fact which aroused her interest
lie was nevertheless, a brilliant tallzer wher
nc chose 70 exert himself, and Mrs. SilvertoI
was clever enough to see that he was really il
love with her, but was afraid OF showing his
devotion lest il should be put down to mere
foTtune-buBting. Often she firted outrage
ously with Rapless under his very nose, in Tho
hope Of arousing his jealousy, but he bore il
without 1lnchlng, though he sometimes looked
at her IA a wondering manner, which made hel
feel, oddly, ashamed Of herself " If Langtor
only had the pluck :" she sometimes reflected
But il seemed that he had not and so she be
gan 10 think seriously Of marrying Mr. Perez
RaF.css. As for the last-named gentleman. hi
creditors were becoming so extremely pressing
and his brother so deplOrably close listed, thai
he had made up his mind 20 secure Mrs Silver
ton at all hazards, and with the least possible
delay. Crasher was of course. the obstacle
When aroused he was dangerous and was quite
capable Of violently assaulting his future
brotber-In-lsw. Moreover, Crasher knew Ger
tain things about Raplesss past life which la
had not yet revealed to his sister and which
might cause an entire revulsion in that ladyl
feelings. So Mr. Rapless determined to Undue,
her 10 elope with him, and laid his plans fo
that object with much forethought He frs
went to interview his brother, the Earl of COT
ferton, who was on the point of leaving towr
for his moor in Scotland. His greeting wa
not cordial one.
Money again, Percy, I suppose" said LorC
COfert0n. /" III that's vOur game my boy 7 mo,