The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-03-05


He dropped knife sticks and all. in
dismay at her woeful countenance; and
Lizzie told him to the best of her abil-
ity what 1.-THE matter was.
lis that all?'' he asked. quietly,
when the recital was concluded
Isn't that enough?" she rejoined,
piteouslv. when we were going to
have such nice drive all by ourselves,
and then come home by moonlight,
and"
Don't fret. cara mia; it will be all
right. SO she won't consent to your
marriage. eh?"
She says most positively that she
will not"
What shall we do, Lizzie? Shall
we elope qaietly?"
"Ob, Charley. you know l would
never marry without her consent"
And are two lives to be made mis-
erable Just because she thinks matri-
mony mistake?" he asked, grayely.
Il suppose SO, Charley"
Lizzie Dewsfords 5 pretty head droop-
ed like n rose in the rain. Charley
watched her quivering lip and tear
wet eyclashes and said no more.
Mrs. Dewsford was ready. with
preposterous green umbrella to keep
off the sun. tin case to put ferns in,
and an extra pair of boots. in the
event of swampy walking, when Mr..
Everetts little light phaeton drove up
| to the door. The springs creaked om-
inously as she stepped in; and Lizzie
was nearly overwhelmed by her moth
| er's voluminous drapercs.
Il had better sit in the middle-it
preserves the equilibrium of the vehi-
Gle BETTER said Mrs. Dewsford, wedg-
| ing herself in between Lizzie and Mr..
| Everett with a smile of great compla-
cency.
And she Immediately began discours-
| ing on the properties and habits of the
fern, with unpausing volubility. while
| Lizzie. perched on the extreme outer
edge OF the seat, had all she could do
| to keep in the vehicle. and MIR. Ever
ett's eyes were in extreme danger with
| the points Of the green umbrella, which
veered TO and fro like IA ship in a
storm, rs Mrs. Dewsford's tale waxed
| in interest.
Suddenly she checked herself, as her
| eye caught a cluster of green waving
vegetation on the crest-like point Of a
| rock which overhung the road.
Charles! Charlesm she cried, stop
a minute! Can't you reach that As
plenium Ebenum?'
is this it, ma'am?n said Mr.. Ever
cit, making dive at tall stalk of
something.
No. no; not that-the little green
thing with the black stem!'
This, ma'am?" hazarled Charley.
clutching at a fat-leaVed cluster of
weedy growth.
20, dear Charles, how stupid you
are" sighed Mrs. Dewsford. IN
jump out and get it mySelf!'
'Mammam demonstrated Lizzie.
'.Oh. i'll help herr nodded Charley,
| sprinning nimblv on the cliff. and pull
| ing Mrs. Dewsford Dy main force up
the steep side of the rock. Here you
! are. maam!'
Yes" painted Mrs. Dewsford; "but
but it WAS very steep. | really think
women should devote more attention
to gymnastics. Oh, here's the Asplen-
| ium-very choice specimens. too.
Charles. where are YOU going?"
For Mr.. Everett had sprung back in
to the phaeton.
|
collecting your botanical treasures.
Yes, bnt Charles"
| Mrs. Dawsford's words of remon-
STRANGE were drowned in the rattle of
| the wheels. us Mr. Everett drove quick
" away. with Lizzie nesting up to his
side. One long, lingering glance she
gave after the departing pair, and then
returned TO her tin case and umbrella :
They'll be back presently" she
said.
But the afternoon sunlight faded of
from the cliff and the red orb of day
sank maiestically down behind the
evergreen gIens that bounded the
western horizon, and Mrs. Dcwsford
grew tired and cross and rheumatic,
and still, like the character of TO-
nance, "they came not"
Something has happened!' cried
the prophetic soul of Mrs. Dewsford.
1T can't be possible that l shall have
to stay here all night!
She looked nervously around. 1t was
tall, steep cliff whereon she stood,
cut of from the woods beyond by the
rush and roar of 4 wide and by no
means shallow stream on one side,
while on the other three it was almost
perpendicular, rising some twenty feet
from the road Mrs. Dewsford began
to feel, as she surveyed it, very much
like St. Simeon Stylites on his column
ia the wilderness.
III they shouldn't comet! she
thought.
But at the same instant q rumbling
of wheels broke the hushed stiffness of
| a., al nt,i,
aud Mrs. Dewsford's strained eyes
caught sight of Mr. Everett's spirited
gray dashing round the curve of the
hill.
Well" she cried, Il never was
more thankful for anything in my life!
I'm tired 10 death waiting"
Are you?" said Charles Everett, as
he checked the horse in the middle OF
the road.
Yes Why don't you drive closer?'
sharply demanded Mrs. Dewsford.
''Oh, did you want to drive home
with us?"
.Why, of course l did. I'd have
been home long ago if | could have
got off this place
We'll, ma'am." said Charley. in
accents of the coolest deliberation,
while Lizzie clung. frightened and yet
smiling. to his side, Il shall be very
happy to help you off the cliff on one
condition
''On one condition, Charles Evarettf
exclaimed the astonished and indig
nant matron; what do YOU mean?'
Simply this, Mrs. Dewsford.
want to marry your daughter. Bu
Lizzie, like TOO dutiful child. will no.
become my wife without your consent.
(which she shall never haye!n sait
Mrs. Dewsford. emphatically.
Very well. ma'am. Gee up
Whitley" and he shook the reinS.
You're not going to leave me here?'
shrieked Mrs. D1wsford in panic o
terror
. Unless you comply with my condi
ton. ma'am, most certainly shall"