The Dickinson press., 1894-06-16
ELECTRICE LOPEMENT

a getting married before the register
in London, and going to Paris for a few
weeks. but a run to Liverpool, q mar
riage there by special license and a trip
by fastest steamer to New York. Ar
irving there they would cross America
aud gradually work their way around
the world and back to London in a
year or two. George Webley was rich
and could easily afford this kind Of u
wedding tour. In olden times the par
ents of lilly Markham would have
been more anxious that their daughter
should marry George Webley rather
than the poorer, but of urs more
moral young man. Tom Bantry. But
times had changed, and 1t was the
daughters that now looked for money
with their lovers. The girl admitted to
herself that she liked Tom Bantry best.
but he certainly had treated her badly.
They had had an appointment for a
picnic up the river, but without a word
Tom had gone away. and worse still,
he had sent no explanation or excuse
for his dcscrtion. So lilly thought she
would teach him a life long lesson, and
knowing well that her parents would
oppose the match. and especially Its
hurried conclusion she told George
Webley If he would arrange for the
special license ut Liverpool she would
meet him at Euston station on the 9th
and together they would journey to the
seaport town, be married and sail for
America on the 2Sth in the powerful
steamship Erratic. lilly concluded 1t
was better to be married in Liverpool
than in London, as there would be less
chance of the escapade being found out
until such time as they chose to disclose
1t. lilly agreed that they would write
letters to all concerned while on the
voyage from Liverpool to Queenstown
and mail them when there would be
nothing but the broad Atlantic be-
tween them and New York.
lilly met the postman on the steps
as she was going out of the house that
morning, and he handed her q bundle OF
letters. She had no time to read them
then, nor In the cab, for there was bare
~ time to reach the station, where she
found Mr.. Webley impatiently await
ing her. He had strongly advised her
to bring nothing with her. Whatever
was required could be bought at Liver
pool, he said:
II was very much afraid we should
miss the train," he said, as he hurried
her out Of the cab. Il have reserved a
compartment"
'"There's another train, isn't there?"
she asked.
''Oh, certainly, but q railway station
isn't the ~pleasantest place in the world
to wait, and since I left my hotel I
seem to have met every friend 1 have
In London, and all wanting to know
where l am going"
"And of course you told them,
said lilly.
The young man laughed as he held
open the door Of the railway carriage
for her to enter. He quickly followed
her, and a moment after the 1910 u. m.
train slid out Of the great station and
began its northern journey. lilly sat
in her corner by the window and care
lessly turned over the letters in her
hand. Most of them were from girl
friends. but on the envelope Of n OF
them she recognized the fine, bold hard
writing Of Tom Bantry. She stole q
furtive glance at Webley as she tore
open the envelope, but he was absorb
ed in his morning paper now that his
mind was at rest and they were fairly
off.
Dear Miss Markham" the letter be-
gan, Il was Unexpectedly called away
from London more than a week ago
by the sudden illness Of my uncle, Sir
John Trellyan. Before departing for
Trellyan hall l wrote a letter to you
explaining why 1 could not be at the
picnic up the river. Through my own
stupidity and the hurry of getting away
l find / left your letter on my table
in my rooms in the Temple. I had OK
pected a letter from you while at Trell-
yam hall and when it did not come I
was greatly disappointed. I found on
my return this morning, as I said, my
own letter which was not posted, so Of
course you did not receive it. Will you
forgive mc, therefore, for breaking an
engagement with you and your friends
without explanation? And may 1 call
this evening, as l have something Of
importance Ito myself, at least) to
say to you? l will remain all day in
my chambers at the Temple awaiting
your answer with some anxiety"
He signed himself, "Yours very truly,
Tom Bantry," and then added in a post
script, as if an aftcrthought, II should
have told you that my uncle died two
days ago, which makes a great deal of
difference in my plan Of life, as per-
haps you arc aware"
Tilly Markham was a cautious young
woman aud always considered that a
bird in the hand was worth two or
three in the bush. She looked ut George
Webley and. he smiled across at her.
"Where do we stop first" she asked.
"Willesden Junction, I believe, and
we ought to be there now"
How long do we stop?"
"Only n few minutes"
do you think you could get me half
a dozen telegraph blanks while we
are stopping there!"
"Oh. I don't need to 60 out for them"
said Webley, II always carry plenty
Of them with me and sixpenny stamps,
also" AS he said this he reached down
a bag from the rack owe his head,
VHCuCu H. anu AdlAOcu Lilly u AuluOCI
Of already stamped telegraph forms.
When the train slowed up at Willesdeu
she said:
DO get out, George, and find me q
time book, for l want to know how
many times this train stops before we
reach Liverpool"
Webley had no sooner disappeared
than the young lady called the guard
to her.
Where is the next stop. guard?
rbe asked.
"At Bletchley, miss"
"How long before we reach there1'
1--WE are timed for Blett hley al
11:14."
She had already written her teleg nm
all but the instructions where to reach
her. 1t a II:
"rom Baptry, Coke-upon-Littletor
Chambers, Temple. What d. vov wisf
to see ME for this evening" Answe
Bletchley station, on board the Livel
s