Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-08-27
DOWNING'S KUSE.

"The question Is, said Fred Mather,
''how are you going to dodge Ellen's ia
Their tomorrow You know he is as sharp
as ferret. I've fixed up everything at
the registrars Office, and, as you know,
the ceremony there won't last longer than
10 minutes. If we could just get the old
man out of the way for half an hour at
noon, the knot would be tied, and yours
truly would no longer be a bachelor"
These words were spoken by hand
some, laughing young fellow of five and
twenty. Mr.. Fred Mather was as clever
as any ordinary youth who is about to be
called. Well connected and certainly not
poor, he had become ardently in love with
Miss Angela Morrison, the charming
daughter of Sir Augustus Morrison knight
and cx-cornfactor in the city. They were
staying at Broadstairs, and it was at this
pretty little watering place that Angela
and Fred Mather met for the first time.
1t was case Of love at first sight But it,
was the longest possible sight in the
world. Sir Augustus had certainly no
intention of permitting his daughter to
fall in love with any penniless young man.
Angela had sat next to Fred Mather at
breakfast in the Royal hotel one morning
when Sir Augustus had failed to come
down stairs at the proper time. The eye
acquaintance of the past few days cullni-
mated then in something much more sat
isfactory, and Mather, who was head over
ears in love, quickly found that Angela
did not seriously dislike him. After this
meeting they saw each other often. Sir
Aup,,ct,,c x1,oc old and ayap ba pOu16 MT
cope with the strategy shown by Fred Ma
ther and his two barrister friends, Herbert
Sinclair and Frank Downing who were
staying at the same hotel.
A month had passed by, and Angela
was quite prepared to incur the displeas-
ure Of her father by a secret marriage.
Both she and her lover saw the uselessness
Of begging Sir Augustus to sanction their
union. He wouldn't willingly sacrifice
his ambition to them. So 1T happened
that Mather and his friends went SO far
as to discuss the impending marriage and
to consider the hest means of averting the
suspicion of Angela's father
1--WE an idea," shouted Frank Down
ing, melodramatically striking his head.
Come to my room, and will tell 1t to
you. It's too dangerous here on the hotel
balcony"
"Ah," smiled Mather as he stepped
from the door of the hotel on the follow
ing morning. this is a good omen-a true
wedding morn"
Couldn't expect better under the cir
cumstances, my boy. But it S u pity Gretna
Green is played out. It's so very unro-
mantle to marry at registrars" said
Downing, with a laugh.
Breakfast was soon over. Then, when
Miss Morrison went to her room to dress
for the necessary walk Sir Augustus came
out upon tho balcony. Sinclair was the
only man smoking. Sir Augustus pro-
duced cigar and felt in his pocket for a
match. He experienced monetary irrita-
ton on finding his search fruitless Sin
clair saw his unsuccessful search and at
once stepped forward and offered the
knight his matchbox.
Fine weather for the crops, sir, he re-
marked.
Very, Sir Augustus sec from the
papers you are interested in tho fine old
British art Of farming" replied Sinclair.
Sir Augustus bridled with pride. Few
things pleased him better than newspa-
per paragraph concerning himself.
"Will you try one of my cigars?" he OBJ
served. II CAM
Before he could finish the sentence he
saw Frank Downing, witt. u closely yelled
lady on his arm, descend the hotel steps
and jump into q conveyance.
why" said Sinclair in astonishment,
IT believe that was Miss Morrison with
Mr.. Downing!'
my daughter with Mr.. Downing, sir!
What do you meant" splutterod tho be-
wildered knight cxplosively. ''Do you
know that she Is not acquainted with that
young mani"
In great agitation, Sir Augustus ran
hastily up stairs in the direction Ct his
daughters apartment. Her maid stood at
tho door.
"Wheres Miss Morrison-my daugh-
terp" calculated Sir Augustus, his fat face
blanching.
"Oh, sir, don't know!" said the girl.
"But here's note she's left OH the dress
ing table"
"Ah," he cried, "shc's playing me q
trick. I must follow her."
Hastily f1attening down his black silk
hat upon his head, the effect contrasting
curiously enough with the large check
clothes he wore, he madly rushed down
stairs, where he found q carriage waiting
| at the door, He saw 1t was the conveyance
into which his daughter and Downing had
stepped.
Here's a5 note for you If you'll tell
mo where you took the lady and gentle
man who left the hotel in your carriage a
quarter Of an hour ago"
"Thankee, SIR" said the driver, touch
+, ing his hat. "They went down to the
beach to board Mr.. Downing's yacht"
( Of dashed the unhappy father toward
the beach. A waterman readily promised
to take him to Mr.. Downing's vessel, but
as heavy sea was running and strong
wind blowing landward 1t was feat cas-
Ter said than done. Aquarter of an hour
hard pulling at last brought the dinghy
Jumbo alongside the yacht which, anchor
ed as she was, bobbed up and down with
every wave.
Sir Augustus was angrier than ever. lie
grasped hold Of the yachts gunwale and
almost jcrked himself out Of the dinghy.
Where's my daughter? Where's my
daughterP" he criod.
At that moment Downing and his boy
appeared from the little cabin. Ordering
the lad to larboard, to balance the exas,
perated knights weight, Downing took
his pipe from his mouth and laughingly
asked Sir Augustus what was the matter.
"Your daughter'" he answered. is she
not at the hotela' Then he looked at his
watch. "Ah," he calmly continued. mo-
she will not be there now. see 1t is 1880
1 congratulate you, Sir Augustus, on your
daughters marriage. hope both Mr.. and
Mrs. Mather will be very happy. As fol
your daughter coming here, have moi
had the pleasure Of her company in this
poor yacht. There is the young lady who
accompanied me this morning." he con
cluded pointing to tho laughing lad who
balanced the boat.