Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-11-06

ers--and when the desperate youth
swore by all the gods and little fishes
at once that he would Stay himself I'M
less he could marry this girl. they.
knowing that he had habit Of keep
ing It's word, became alarmed. All
expostulations proving unavailing they
reached the conclusion that ne must
have his way. They visited Miss Mil
licent. The mother became satisfied
that she would make any man good
wife. and FROM that moment she pettsd
and caressed her ms though she had
been her own daughter. She made
her presents. took her for carriage
drives, to plays and everywhere else
and lost no opportunity Of pleading the
cause of her headstrong boy as only a
mother can.
Billy objected most decidedly to
these goings on and he told Millicent
80. She was not inclined to be un-
faithful, but liked her own way and
said she would have it. A week or so
of pleasantness followed and then
there came an open quarrel. Billy put
his foot squarely down. The recep-
ton of Mrs. Trevor's attention must
cease; so must the visits to her house.
Otherwise the engagement must end.
Miss Millicent drew herself up proud.
ly. though she grew as pale as lily,
and protested Indifference.
Billy jammed his hat down over his
eyes and left the house.
Then came the inevitable sequence.
Miss Millicent had left tho establish
meut of Squareshell, Shields e. Co.
shortly after the announcement of her
engagement to Billy. 1t was at least
three months after that that Billy read
in ths Back Door Chat" column of the
Society Gdbbler the announcement of
her approaching marriage to young
Trevor.
He bore his agony in much the same
fashion that other young men do
smoked fifteen cigars day instead OF
six and changed his poker game from
a penny ante to 81 limit
There came calm quiet evening
when he felt more than usually senti-
menta,. 1t lacked only q few days OF
the wedding. The air was soft and
balmy. The moon shone with chaste
splendor. He thought he would stroll
past the cid familiar house, Just for the
Sake of memories.
He was unconsciously whistling Tos.
tbs "Good-by"," as he walked slowly
past the porch where he had set with
his Millcent so few, so very few nights
ago. He started back in amazement
as he came opposite to the little wicket
gate. A tall, white-robed figure stood
in the shadows just out of the searching
rays of the moon.
'Millicent." he gasped.
A white hand rose in the shadow
and as quickly fell, In an instant he
was at her side.
"Oh, go away, go away" murmured
the girl, won must not stay here an
instant. How wicked of you! Billy,
please. dear Billy go away. What
would people say of me if they saw you
herep"
Billy pulled out his watch and looked
at it. 1t pointed to IL. Il suppose
the prospective bridegroom has just
gone" said he.
Eyes, yes" was the agitated re-
sponse.
"Oh, please go away
Billy drew step nearer and took
her hand. Not until you have sworn
hat you love him better than you do
me-" he declared firmly.
The tears came into her big eyes
and in all her life she had never looked
10 handsome and helpless. Billy"
she said brokenly, while a sort of reck-
essness seemed to shine out of her
lace. "Oh, Billy" breaking into a
Sail--"why were you so hasty and i'll.
empered3 All, you know SO well''--
'he stopped and covered her face with
lef hands. Her eyes were raining
ears now.
The boy made movement as though
o clasp her in his arms. No" She
ried, starting back, Il am not SO base
IS that. l will not be doubly false.
lie, at least. believes in me. Billy,
lear, for Gods sake, go, and believe
ne when / swear that shall go to my
,rave loving you!"
The moon smirked down on poor
Billy, as with desperation in his palo
ace he knelt on the dewy sod and
begged her by all that was dear in life,
y all that was sweet, and holy to fly
With him. He would see to her safety
ill morning he said. and then, hey
or Milwaukee and Gretna Green ro-
nance, with all the regulation trim
nings.
The weeping maiden was obdurate.
10 her infinite credit be it said, she
Towed that nothing could induce her
% betrav the absent one. She loved
he despairing youth at her feet, but
lie must go.
Billy arose with 4 strange, unnatural |
light in his eyes as though struck with
. sudden hope. lone last embrace,
hen" he gasped with apparent resig.
nation.
She wavcred au instant and then
yielded. Tie delicate form, delicious
20 the eye in its robe of feecy white
md the wonderful hair engulphing it |
ike cloud, swayed toward him. Their
lips met.
Blush, blush, ye gods for mans
Implicitly. The youth had about him
The scissors with which for years no |
had sliced off yards of flannel for the
patrons OF Messrs. Sqnareshell, Shields |
& Co. Even as his left arm encircled |
he dropping figure his right hand
stole to his waistcOat pocket; the |
cleaning blades of steel were raised |
aloft. In an instant there had been !
severed from queenly head great,
bulky lock Of hair--as much as a man |
might hold in one of his hands-a tress
IS thick as a man-of-war's cable.
The youth sprang back with bS
'ilken trophy dangling in his hand
What, oh what have you done?" al.
most shrieked the maid, with her
hands to her head.
Listen commanded Billy. in q
cold, confident tone. You dare no.
face your betrothed with that shorn
mead and you know it It was mean |
rick. know, but it was case of life
md death. Milly. / will wait for you
It my rooms-you know where they |
tomorrow we will be mar
led. l know you'll be there"
Blly's confidence was not misplaced.
dis rooms were just round the corner.
He waited on the front stens for her