The Opelousas courier., 1889-08-10
A MUSICAL ELOPEMENT.
Another Instance in Which Love
Laughed at Locksmiths.

swell, yes, Uncle Shefiin seems to
have left me out" said Paul Praed.
with a shrug of his shoulder. But |
have a good place in the orchestra, and
/ have pupils, and perhaps after awhile
| shall get one of my comic operas
played, and so we shall live-I and
Gertrude"
You and Gertrude!!" repeated Mrs.
Brand. "Why, Paul Praed, you don't
suppose that | shall let my girl marry
you now! | know too well what it is
to be poor. You told me that your
uncle SCI that you should have $780,
600 when he died, and it was = mean
trick, for Gertrude is a girl D. have
offers and offers, and has had teem."
1T was no trick, Mrs. Brand" said
Paul. II believe it. l swear it. But
if my uncle chose to change his
mind
Every well, that changes every
thing" said Mrs. Brand, sand instead
of going to a handsome house of her
own, and having servants and all, my
Gertrude will be expected to live in
venue A on a top fiat, with her WISH
ing to do"
.Oh, | will make Gertrude comfort
able,n said Paul, laid whatever the
home, you will be welcome. also"
II myself don't desire to live over a
small shop" said Mrs. Brand. mo
more talk; the bargain is off"
THAT must be for Gertrude to de-
eide. said Paul. If she says to me,
Paul, my friend, 1 loved you for your
expectations, now I love you no
longer / will say goodbye and 60"
t'But Gertrude will never say any
such a thing" said a voice at the
door. why should you imagine that
/ could be so treacherous? / never
believed the old gentleman would
leave you the money, to tell the truth;
and when | saw the influence that
humbug of a mesmeric doctor had
upon him I guessed that the doctor
would get the whole fortune. just as
he has. / al not waiting for dead
mems shoes, and we can all be very
happy without wealth.
Much you know" said Mrs. Brand.
Sand as you are my daughter yet, and
this is my house. I order you to 90 up
stairs. It's no dislike to you, Paul.
she added. breaking down; 'it'stmy
duty to Gertrude I'm thinking of.
You're a good young man"-hare she
burst into teafrs-..but you can not be
married next Monday, as you intended
to be. don't believe any body ever
made a fortune PLAYING music-and it's
over forever ~
mo, it is not" Said Gertrude.
At this instant she saw her be-
trothed, who had retired behind Ter
mother, make a little sign. It Was
that he thought it best to say no more
just at that moment.
II suppose he said. tthat I may
kiss Gertrude good-bye?n
Yes, in my presence" said Mrs.
Brand. Young people, / do this for
your own good. You would not love
each other If you had to go about New
York begging, you with a fiddle and
poor Gertrude with twins and a
tambourine. and that is what it might
come to-would, | have no doubt-and
you would take to drink and she'd fol
low your example, and the Society fol
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
would take them away and put you In
the Tombs. 1t always comes to that
don't tell me-and the poorer you are
the more of them you have; it is al.
ways so. Oh, Paul, I'm wretched, but
] can't hep it,
We'll, good-by,n said Paul Praed
solemnly. Goodbye, Mrs. Brand
So there Is to be no wedding on Mon
day, no nice little supper, no-'
kiss her and 60" said Mrs. Brand.
with the air OF Lady Macbeth.
II obey said Paul. 1T is right
this is your house, that Is your daugh
ter; shake hands, now. Gertrude
He held out his arms to her; sht
flung herself into them. and as she did
%E&t6% . .@SEa8@4E
SO felt him slip something Into her
pocket--then he was gone.
Alone In her own room, she took /
out and looked at it. It was a little
notebook. in which he had recorded
his business engagements; one lea
was doubled down and on this wa
written in Paul's hand:
Gertrude. my fairy"-Fairy wal
Paul's pet name for his tiny little be
trothed ue shall be mar.
ried on Monday morning, and ! vii
guarantee you the supper. the dance
and the mothers blessing besides. III,
future mother-in-law has a bark Very
mitch worse than her bite
Thon followed something wnici
Gertrude read with emotions of min
glea terror and -anazernent, .afta
which she concealed the book careful
" n her BOSOM.