The Bessemer indicator., 1894-07-14
ELECTRIC ELOPEAIENT

1t wasn't 10 be any trivial clopement
In London, and going to Paris for few
weeks. but Il run TO Liverpool. mar
rlage there by special license and trip
by fastest steamer to New York. Ar
riv!ng there they would cross America
and gradually work their way around
the world and back TO London In
year or two. George Wcblcy was rich
and could easily nfrord this kind of n
wedding tour. In olden times the par
ents of Tilly Markham would have
been more anxious that their daughter
should marry George Wcbley rather
than the poorer, but OF course 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
picnic up the river. but without n word
he had sent no explanation or excuse
for his dcsertion. SO Tilly thought she
would teach him life long lcsGou, and
knowing well that her parents would
oppose the match. and especially Its
hurried conclusion she told George
Weblcy II he would arrange for the
special license at Liverpool she would
meet him at Euston station on the 27th
and together they would journey to the
seaport town, be married and sail for
America on the 2Sth in the powerful
steamship Erratic. Tilly concluded 1t
was better to be married In Liverpool
than in London. rs there would be less
chance of the escapade being found out
until such time ms they chose to disclose
It, Tilly agreed that they would write
letters to nll 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.
Tilly met the postmnn on the steps
as she was going out of the house that
morning, and he handed her bundle of
letters. She had no time to read them
then, nor in the cab, for there was bare
ly time to reach the station, where she
found Mr.. Wcbley impatiently await
Ing her. He had STRONGLY advised her
to bring nothing with her. Whatever
was required could be bought ut Liver
pool he said:
~ was very much afraid we should
miss the train" he said. us he hurried
her out of the cab. II have reserved n
compartment"
There's another train, isn't thcre?"
she asked
"Oh. certainly, but railway station
Isn't the pleasantest place in the world
to wait, md since l left my hotel 1
seem TO have met every friend ! have
In London. and all wanting TO know
where am going"
And of course you told them,
snid Tilly
The young man laughed as lie held
open the door OF the railway carriage
for her to enter. He quickly followed
her, and moment after the 1910 n. IN.
train slid out of the great station and
began its northern journey. Tilly sat
in her corner by the window and care
lersly turned over the letters in her
hand. Most OF them We're from girl
them she recognized the fine. bold hard
writing of Tom Bantry. She stole Il
furtivc glance nt Webley as she tore
open the envelope. but he was absorb
ed In his morning paper now that his
mind was ut rest and they were fairly
off.
Dear Miss Markham" the letter be-
gan, 81 was unexpectedly called away
from London more than week ago
by the sudden illness of my uncle, Sir
John Trcllyan. Before departing for
Trellyan hall wrote letter TO you
explaining why could not be Mt the
picnic up the river. Through my own
stupidity and the hurry OF getting away
find 1 left your letter on my table
In my rooms In the Temple. had ex-
pected n letter from you willie at Trell-
yam hall and when 1t did not come l
was greatly disappointed. ! found on
my return this morning. us I said, my
cwn letter which was not posted. SO of
course you did not receive 1t. VIII you
forgive me, therefore, for breaking an
engagement with yoI and your friends
without explanation? And may l call
this evening, MS / have something of
Importance Ito myself at leasD to
say to you? 1 will remain all day In
my chambers Mt the Temple awaiting
your answer with some anxiety"
He signed himself. Yours very truly,
Tom Bantry," and then added in post
script, as II an afterthought, II should
have told You that my uncle died two
days ago, which makes n great deal of
difference In my plan of life, as per
haps you nrc aware"
Tilly Markham was n cautious young
woman and always considered that
bird in the hand was worth two or
three in the bush. She looked at George
Webley and lie smiled across at her.
"Where do we stop firstT she asked.
"Willesdcn Junction, believe, and
we ought to be there now"
How long do we stop?"
Only few minutes"
'no you think You could get me half
n dozen telegraph blanks while we
are stopping thcre:"
"Oh. 1 don't need to go out for them,"
said Weblcy, II always carry plenty
Of them with me and sixpenny stamps,
niso." As he said this he reached down
q bag from the rack over his head
opened it, and handed Tllly number
of already stamped telegraph forms
When the train slowed up ut Willesden
she said:
do get out, George. and fins me q
time book, for I want to know how
many times this train stops before we
reach Liverpool"
Webley had no sooner disappeared
than the young lady called the gunrd
to her.
Where is the next stop. gnarl?"
:bc asked.
at Blctchlcy. miss"
How long before we reach thcre7'
1--WE nre timed for Bletthley at
11:14."
She had already written her teleg I'm,
all but the instructions where to reach
lier. 1t ran:
TON Bantry, Coke.upon-Littleton
Chambers, Temple. What de- you wish
to see ME for this evening? Answer
Dletchley station, on board the Liver
pool express. Tilly."
"Cnn you send this off for me Mt