The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-12-22

becomes Joyous one Presently the east
ern sky is filled with mantling clouds,
above which the glowing sun emerges,
while in unison with the bentihgs OF their
blithesoms hearts song birtls make the
woods resound with merry greetings to
their drowsy mates. Life TO the lovers Is
jocund festival existence hawless, till
Charlotte, whose eyes nre continually scan
ming that portion Of the road already trav.
erscd abruptly criea out:
Look, darlingl Isn't that a Lotse and
buggyP
Her companion, throwing q glance back
ward, reluctantly acknowledged that the
black object mt the brow Of the hill bore an
unpleasant resemblance to the combina-
tion mentioned.
ooh, If It should be papa coming after
usl" exclaimed the girl, greatly alarmed
Now don't worry about your father
He's snoring away at home all right, and
besides, IL It proves to be him, he can't
catch us, for this is a fast nag" sgid BiG
consolingly as he reached after the whip.
Giving his horse smart cut, the latter
plunges ahead, wheels are set to spinning
and clouds Of dust roll up behind. Char.
lotte meanwhile is keeping tab on the
movement of their supposed pursuer. Time
lengthens, minutes become hours, when
one travels rapidly.
us he yet in sight, ChnrlotteS"
Eyes, indeed" cried the girl, clasping
her hands, "and the buggy is gaining on
u.s. just know it's papa. If he overtakes
us, oh, what shall we do?"
1--WE will get into Adrian first, and when
your father arrives he'll not know where
to look for us. by the time we are discov-
cred it will be everlastingly too late. Get
along therem
Crack goes the whip again, and away
they speed, past lanes and crossroads
through the valleys and over the swelling
hills. Early farmhands and mi1kmaids
open wide their eyes in amazement, specu-
lating on the sight, nor is their astonish-
ment lessened when shortly afterward n
second carriage dashes by in hot pursuit of
| the first one.
Our lovers are approaching Adrian. Al
| ready brick walls and church spires appear
to view. Foaming and covered with per.
spiration the little nag in front of them
falters not, but nobly presses forward The
truants have come to know beyond perad-
venture that an irate father is after them.
There is no mistaling his turnout or the
determined way in which he holds to the
chase.
The town at lastl Over the gravelly
streets the carriage containing our youth
ful friends noisily Clatters, while Mr.. Wade
and his white faced Bess are yet struggling
with turnpike dust. Mr.. Oliphant, the
minister, is at breakfast when somebody
gives the doorbell n violent wrench. Has
tening to admit his callers, he finds Biff and
Charlotte, who hurriedly make known
their mission. The reverend gentleman,
though suspecting an elopement, discovers
no reason why the couples wishes should
not be gratiled Addressing the young
man, Mr.. Oliphant asked for their license
to we'd
"Oh, we have the documents all right"
said Bif laughingly. charlotte, where is
the paper9"
The girl is already searching for it in her
handbag, but without show of success.
What has she done with itP Tremulously
again and again the small gloved hand Is
thrust into the mysterious deep of that
satchel. Can it be possibleH" she thought.
mol Yesl All, at last l have-but no
pshaw, only paper OF pins" Becoming
impatient at the delay, Bif turns and finds
his darling in tears.
"Oh, BiiTy, dearest, please forgive me-"
sobbed Charlotte, but Pm afraid have
don't scold me-left the-paper at home on
the-the-bureauw
What Do you mean to say you haven't
the license?"
walled the girl, wringing her hands, "and
II just wish was dead, that's what |
do"
Gracious, Charlotte, this is something
terrible" cried BiG despairingly as he
sank into the nearest chair, with arms
falling limp and sickly palor overspread-
ing his countenance. Springing to his
side, Charlotte threw both arms about her
lovers neck
Next moment the hall doors were rudely
flung open, and with long strides and face
aglow Mr.. Joseph Wade, contractor and
builder, enters and grasps his friend Oil
phant by the hand. Pulling and gasping
for breath, he speaks:
rs my daughter herewith that-young
scapegoat-Bitf Carsmith"
"Ies, they are here" answered the
preacher. IF you wish to see them, sten
this way"
II reckon do-want to-see them" said
Mr.. Wade, still striving to regain his
breath, rs they entered the room where
Bitf and Charlotte, clinging to each other
like two thistle burrs, were seated on the
sofa.
"Ah-you scoundrel--wanted to run off
with my daughter-did youW
Bitf struggled to arise, for Wade was
precisely the spark required to ignite his
keg Of gunpowder. He was mad all over
and felt as If it was n good time to give the
old man tongue lashing. But Charlotte,
dutiful girl, placed her hand over his mouth
and held him back
well, it's all right when young people
want to get married." continued old Joe
regaining his breath and chuckling with
fendish glee as he glanced toward Mr..
Oliphant, but when they undertake any
thing they ought to attend strictly to the
business. l amt no architect, but when |
lay out my plans they CO. Last night
these giddy heads ran away in such
blamed hurry that Charlotte forgot to take
their marriage license, so hitched up and
brought it TO them, thinking maybe it
would come handy. tried to overtake the
rascals on the road, but to save my life
couldn't catch up with them. Now let the
meeting proceed, and when it's through
with move that we adjourn to the nearest
restaurant and get something to eat.
That's the way feelp-Royal II. Millison
in Chicago Inter Ocean.
There are trees in California so tall that
1t takes two men and II hoy to look tn the