The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-13
A RUNAWAY MATCH.

Seventy-fve years ago Dorothy Hope stood
before the cheval-glass in her own room. at
her fathers house in New Rochelle, dressing
for her wedding. Suddenly she cried:
son, you wicked creatures, are you, who
were my schoolmates, willing to marry me
to that wretch? That ugly, cruel, bad old
man, that neither of you would marry to
save your lives?"
Then the tallest said gravely:
pray, Dorothy. If you do not want to
marry Mr.. Pulsiver, why did you go SO far
as to engage yourself to him?
Grandfather babe me do it, Hester"
said Dorothy. "0h, indeed he did, but
did not care. / did not know what love was,
and the wedding day was set and met"
go or" cried the girls in breath.
"Whom did you meet?"
"Chares Pulsiver,' sobbed Dorothy.
But he is your bridegroom" said the
NO. said Dorothy. ut is old Mr..
Charles Pulsiver / am to marry. 1t is his
young cousin Charles whom l met and
loved. But he promised to save me. and the
Oh, pity me. l am like lamb going to the
slaughter and you do not care"
AT this moment something struck the win
dow. Dorothy started up with her cheeks
agow and threw up the sash. A piece of
paper wrapped about stone lay upon the
window sill.
In trice she untwisted the paper and
read the contents. They were these:
Your bridegroom will not come tonight. Don't
retire until you hear this signal once more.
CHARLES.
She thrust the note in her pocket and
turned to the bridesmaids.
An hour later they still sat. and the door
opened and Mr.. Hope entered.
a. BE calm, my dear child" he said, Mr.
Pulsiver has not yet arrived
At midnight the bridesmaids kissed the
brde-who had long ago changed her we'd
ding dress for another-and left her.
And meanwhile, at her window the girl
heard the signal repeated. She opened the
sash once more, found the stone and paper
RS before, and read these words:
As soon you can, come to me at the side
gate under Tie sycamore. CHARLES.
"lt's o'clock. What can any one want
out so late in such weather." said old John,
who kept the tOll-gate, to his wife. Hark
to them, hard and fast over the bridge, and
harder and faster over the road. If [ don't
get out quickly they'll cheat me out of my
tw0pehce.'
He stepped ont into the night, holding his
lantern high above his head. All he did
was to STOW himself to some one he could
not see, who, as he shouted, Tull-gate.
lNOpFncc, cfieu.
Here, keep the change" flung him
coin that struck his breast. and dashed on.
Meanwhile the generous hOrseman had
only ridden little way beyond the gate and
there paused.
There's some one following u.s." he said
to girl who rode behind MIN, clasping him
about the waist with both arms, and we
had best stand here under the trees till he
goes by. Ii we are parted now, it may be
forever"
1t was the young cousin, Charles Pulsiver,
who spoke, and Dorothy Hope who an
swered:
1t may be my father. Charles, If he
finds me- | am LOST"
From their post they could see the toll
mans window grow bright as he brought
out mis- lantern and cried:
" Toll-gate, twopencep
Here it is, Mr.. Iollman," cried an amia-
bic voice, deep toned but soft.
Poor old cousin, he is tied to big tree
in his park" said Charlie, where very
fierce highwayman, in big mustache, over
took him as he rode to his wedding. Mean
while the mustache Is in my pocket. How
ever, all is fair in love and war"
The dollhouse keeper after pause, was
speaking:
We're very plain folks, but if your reyer
ence could make up your mind to stay here
all night, better that than an inch of steel
under the ribs, and hearty welcome"
LAS / am unarmed, and man of peace
| am glad to accept your invitation" said
the clergyman.
They heard him alicht. and saw the cid
man with his lantern lead the horse to the
stable. Then all was silence.
dorothy" said Charles in whisper.
Heaven fayors us. Here's parson to
marry u.s."
Say nothing, but let me tell him what
please" said the young man as he sprung
FROM his saddle, helped Dorothy to alight,
4 R.saA In ..fl
handle of his riding-whip, crying:
"Hello. hellol Have you seen a clergy
man ride through your sate?" he asked as
John appeared.
The Reverend Timothy Norroway would
have ridden through" replied the man
night, and begged him to abide here"
AT this Mr.. NoTroway himself walked to
the door.
Sir" said Charles, ''you went this even
ing to marry couple at the house of Mr..
Hope, and the bridegroom did not show
himself Have yuu ever seen Charles Pull
siver?"
Never" said the Clergyman. "The
brides father is my friend"
Sir" said Charles. you know Miss
From childhood" replied the clergy
man.
This is my card" said the young man.
drawing one from his pocket
Mr.. Charles Pulsiver," said Mr.. Nor
roway, reading the card. l am glad to
know. you. ard to see you. dear Miss Dor
othy."
Sir" said Charles, when they had shaken
hands. Imagine the feelings of man of
honor, through no fault of his, kept from
his own wedding. A highwayman tied him
to a tree. i have ridden after you. this
angel consenting to ride with me, hoping
that you would not refuse to marry us even
yet. Happily, L have Overtaken you here.
where John and his wife can be our wit,
nesses, if you will kindly accede to my re-
quest"
Il shall be very happy to DO So" said Mr..
Norro"ay. And TO turn your misadyenture
into romance"
They stepped back into the little parlor,
The ceremony was performed at once, and
the bridegroom had just sauted his bride,
when, gathering over the bridge and along
the road came two other horses, with riders
who spurred them on in hot haste.
goldman Johnl cried a voice thew
knew 10 be Mr.. Hopes. Hello, Tollman
John; helloW
John flung the door open. Mr.. Hope and
the elder Mr.. Pulsiver stood there.
There Is trouble at my house." said Mr..
Hope. HAS any woman ridden through
the gate tonight? l am looking for my
daughter"
My dear FRIEND" said the Rev. Timotbv
Norroway, advancing with a beaming
smile, IL Is all right Your daughter Is
here. | have just married her to that gal
liant little gentleman, Mr.. Charles Pulsiver.
who would allow nothing to keep him from
his brige."
The elder Mr.. Pulsiver understood the
situation and made the best of 1t.
Let me be the first to congratulate Won"
he said. and the two men shook hands.
What was in the heart of the elder he
wisely KepI 70 himself-Phlladelph Item.
nmuE nI1n,r, nI,rr, ,1.,I.