Smyrna times., 1895-08-28

He couldn't explain it. He simpl
accepted it, conscious that it was bv ia
the most elevating sensation he bn
ever experienced, and that it gave hi
past pleasures such a sickening taste
he chucked them one and all from
sheer disgust.
He reached Victoria in plenty O
time, and had been standing on the ar
rival platform quite ten minutes wheI
the train steamed in. He soon caugh
slght OF Gladys, who thrust her heaC
out OF the window, and hurried forward
to greet her. AS he held her hand h,
detected traces of tears.
What is the matter ?" he wondered
lie was not long left in ignorance.
I'VE must see about my luggage first
jim, she said. ut is in the car uext
to the engine"
Your luggage, Gladdie? Are you
coming to stay in town, then?"
Yes. II have left Aunt Louisa,
Jim"
LEFT Aunt Louisa !' he calculated
How is that ?"
should like to go for walk with
you, Jim, and tell you about it, but first
OF all, let us put my luggage in the
cioak-room. l must leave it there un-
tll-until | know where it is to be sent
This task was soon completed. with
tne assistance of suave porter, who
took Jim's tip with the affected ab.
straction characteristic of his order
Then the two set out from the station
and turned down one of the ouieter
streets. As they walked quietly along
Gladys told her tale.
1t was only this morning. Jim u sba
SAID, that Aunt Louisa asked me noint
blank whether or not was engaged to
you. told her that l was, and YOU
cant thinp low furious she became
She said ali kinds of furious things
about US bOth-told me that if l mar
ried you your uncle would cut YOU off
with a shilling, and that she had no
idea of helping us-as if | had ever
asked-and that l might either break
oil my engagement with you immedi-
ately, or leave the shelter of her roof
forever. II chose the latter alterna.
tive, and here am, you see."
My darling" he said fondIv press-
ing the little hand that lay upon his
coat-sleeve. DO you know that I
have had much the same interview
with Uncle Obed, this morning. He
ordered me to give you up or abandon
all hope of help from him. l gave him
beans for his insulting proposition, and
left the house under the ban of his
avuncular curse, and here I am YOU
see."
But what shall you do, Jim9"
Don't know. Suppose 1 shall
knock along somehow. A man can al
ways fend for himself 1t is you whom
we must think about. What shall
you do, Gladdie?"
have some friends living in Thur
loe Square - the Greenways. You
know them, don't you? shall go up
and see them and ask them to put me
lpfor short time, and then, of course
must look out at once for something
TO do. Perhaps could get situation
as goVerness, or clerkship, orr
Don't, Gladdie! I can't bear to
mink of such thing for you. IL
Jay, +" (Jim's color heightened with the
iudden brilliancy of a!fne idea) "I saw.
we've could face this
yretched world better in companv.
'ouldn't weP Why shouldn't we be-
married. at onceP"
Oh, Jim"-what a rosy color suf.
used the little brown face-"it is i'm
'ossible /"
mo such thing, Gladdie. We need
My wait week to comply with the
ormalities, and then goodbye forever
all attempts to sever u.s."
Jim was very persuasive and GLADYS ,,
'as quite lonely and love was very
'rong. And somehow among the !
lree it was practically settled bv the
me they reached Thurloe Square.
he awful imprudence, the desperate
ltuity of this sudden step, they simply
'st sight of in their ridiculouslv child.
d happiness. And that tender.hearted
atron' after scolding them both c
'undly and prOphesying the most
lseraole results from so rash a mar
age enforced her lesson by Offering :
u temporary home and permission II
oe married from ThUrloe Square if D
e was really bent upon that insane c
ep. e
IL would look very bad for Won NV o
'ar' circumstanced as you are. to be- t.
arned from lodgings or a hotel~ o.
rs' Greenway said. "And. altbouob c.
am opposed to this most imprudent m
lon' yet If it is to take place, as you Il
Tn seem obstinately determined. 7 lu
ould like to see it celebrated in a al
spectacle way" as
The good lady further insisted upon -
9 condition, which both Jim and
adys willingly accepted. This was y
At each should write, the one to his -
cle' the other to her aunt, apprising :, r.
sm OF the intended marriage, She a.
pressed upon them even these fool -
young people saw the wisdom of
remarks-that any appearance of
'reoy in the matter would be the -
rst possible thing for them, and that =
recover it would be entirely useless. - =,
ce they were both of age and no one ~ ~
I'D possibly stop their marrying. 3
erefore, on all accounts the less 10
cealment the better. ="
o Jim wrote TO Uncle Obed. and NJ,
lally had the nerve to invite him ;,s
he wedding, while Gladys wrote to tai
at Louisa a tender, loving little Ion
er which might have moved an ;ts
ess. No reply, however, was voucb. nlo
n tI.,..