Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-08-10

Instead of avoiding Montmorcncy, a.
she had done at first, Edna now actual
ly betrayed impaticnce if he failed to
come at the accustomed hour Myste-
rious letters frequently passed between
them; and the girl no longer invented
impossible excuses to avoid the. tete-a-
tete drives with her betrothed In his
jaunty turnout.
One beautiful, bright Septembe.
morning, however, Montmorency, ap-
pearing rather earlier than usual, re-
ceived the intelligence that sudden
indisposition would prevent his fair
fiancee from accompanying him upon
his drive. After expressing much re-
grct and promising to return in the
hope of seeing her later in the day,
Montmorency drove away alone. Once
out of sight of the hotel he whipped
up his horse and fairly flew along the
level road, until, just beyond turning,
Edna herself appeared, all smiles and
sudden bushes. He paused then, but
only long enough to help her up beside
him, and, more swiftly than ever, they
spun away, until he drew up at last
before a quiet country church, where a
good-looking young stranger from the
west was awaiting them with hardly
repressed impatience.
A hurried ecstatic conversation fol
lowed, and then the trio FASTENED up
the aisle together to where the fore
warned minister, with his witnesses
stood in readiness.
The marriage service was begun, anG
at the question: "Who giveth this
woman to be married to this man?'
Montmorency stepped forward, and,
with an elegant air of importance and
satisfaction, he placed the hand of his
beautiful betrothed into that of the
other fellow.
The brief ceremony was ended, and
when they were again in the vestibule,
the smiling bride turned to Montmor-
ency with outstretched hands.
You are more than a gentleman,
you're a perfect angel" she cried.
"We never could have done it without
you; d-and-and-you may kiss me
now, if you like
Its awfully hard on the dear old
people, she continued, regretfully, after
the short pause caused by Montmor-
CAiSy . hoW SdlutS. Dut
they can't help forgiving their only
child by and by, for, after all, their
greatest desire was for my happiness.
Only they wanted to see it accomplished
in their own way, and they couldn't be-
lieve that I'd never be happy with any
one but John, the dearest fellow in all
the world" smiling up at the radiant
bridegroom, though must say, Mont
morency, you do come neXtl"
Johns outburst of hearty gratitude
was cut short by Montmorency's OBJ
servation that train time was fast APP
preaching. So, having seated them in
the dog-cart side by side, Montmorency
sprang up in the groom's place behind,
and they drove away gayly to the near
est railroad station.
At the very last minute Edna slipped
something into Montmorencys hand.
I'm so sorry, almost forgot it" she
said, "but here it is, and I'm sure you'll
want it again very soon for--you know
whoml'
The storm which broke with the dis
covery of Edna's runaway marriage
with her old western lover was an un-
| pleasant one to weather, even although
her parents never dreamed of the part
Montmorency had played in their
daughters elopement. His position
now, at best, was an awkward one, and
he was glad to make his exit from the
scene at Saratoga as speedily as possi-
! BILE.
But at home he found it even worse,
| tba,-a ha ha1 f,N hi.
bitter disappointment, and her con-
stant lamentations and reproaches
made his life miserable.
So one fine morning, having actually
succeeded in persuading pretty Jennie
into following Ednas example, he bold
ly presented his blushing bride to his
astounded mother.
This, then, was the ending of her
ambitious dreams! That Montmorency
should have risen in such open rebel
| lion, after submitting himself to her
authority SO long, was a cruel and crush
ing blow to the elder Mrs. Crane. She
gave no voice to her anguish now, for
this grief was too deep for tears; but
she packed up her most cherished be-
longings and without delay went over
to Italy, where she had been told that
she could not only live comfortably on
her annuity, but with even a semblance
of luxury, determined to end her days
voluntary exile from the country
where her ungrateful son had fallen a
victim to his own short-sighted folly.
Montmorency's first care, after his
fall from grace had been to dispose OF
his jaunty turnout and to resign from
the Howling Exclusives club; and by
so doing he had dropped out of sight,
nay, had sunk fathoms beneath the no.
tice of his old set of acquaintances and
chums.
All this Mrs. Crane the elder had
foreseen, but worse was yet to como
and when she learned that her fallen
idol had actually accepted the situation
of clerk in a fashionable dry goods
shop, which was the only position
which offered itself to his limited capa.
bilities when Montmorency set out tc
fight the battle of life for Jennie's sup.
port and his own, she felt that, though
the ocean rolled between them, she
! 1,,N11 I, L. 1