Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-06-28
CUPID'S AID.

mo, no, sirl Absurd! Preposterous!'
He was too polite to add, "And you are far
from an eligible young man."
Tom himself was modest about the lat
ter claim, but having had Dorothy APP
prevail he fancied he was at least two
thirds eligible. Dorothy had beautiful
blue eyes, and when she was in earnest her
manner had certain dignity and her voice
became nearly tragic in its information, like
that of the young lady in Mr.. Bernhard
Shaws comedy of "Arms and the Man.
So in her very best manner she declared
emphatically:
"Tom, would rather die than give you
up"
When a girl one loves says that, and
when she has the lovelicst blue eyes, and
the most irrcproachable gowns, and, in
fact, the most delightful personality in the
world, what course has "A chap left except
that of absolute defiance to the relentless
parent?
Dorothy naturally cried tho color out of
her blue eyes, and Tom was put on his
mettle. What was the difference if he had
not a sou, while Sylvester, PEREZ was so
many times a millionaire that the mind
grew weary counting his wealth? Sylves.
ter perc, had been once as poor as Tom.
Tom came of good old Knickerbocker
stock. Sylvester, pere's, was all plebcian.
So, very properly, Tom planned an elope-
ment.
AS merrily as the proyerbial marriage
bell the plan was arranged. Dorothy came
to New York April 3d. Tom found a
church, engaged the Clergyman and had
the witnesses ready. On the morning of
May Miss Dorothy started out for walk,
which was to end at the church door. Tom
put ON a tall hat and frock coat and felt
in his waistCOat pocket to make sure or
the ring, and he also started out.
Turning from his door into Madison
square, he saw across the square a little
old gentleman hurrying madly up the av-
enue. And by all the bad luck a man ever
had the old gentleman was Sylvester, pcre,
who ought to have been at that moment in
Chicago, but who evidently was hurrying
up the avenue in the most excited haste,
with full knowledge, Tom supposed, of
the whole affair. And the church was
open, and the Clergyman and the witnesses
were waiting.
Toms heart went down into his boots.
But he plucked up courage and found a
friend in the hour of need. Looking up
lately dressed and bowling leisurcly along
in hanson.
Jack, =" he hailed him, and that worthy
drew up to the curb.
"Jack, " Tom went on excitedly, "this is
a time if ever to prove your friendship. L
am on my way to church to be married.
There's her father over there, Sylvester,
| pere, about to stop us. Jack, for heavens
sake head him off, as you value my hap
| piness."
In this melodramatic fashion Mr.. Van
Brule went on, whilo his friends eyes
bulgcd. Mr.. Bird has prominent gray
| eyes, which, when he is astonished, look
| like great diamonds. Was Tom mad?
| What the dickensY
He looked at the figure of Sylvester,
| pere, at Tom standing there the bride
groom arrayed for an clopement, and
then, with the quick decision that might
have turned battle in the moment of de-
feat, he cried to Tom: "Go on. Twill make
myself responsible for him"
Ordering the cabby to overtake the ex-
cited old gentleman, who was almost out
of sight, Jack decided that the part Of
boldness was the only one.
"Mr. Sylvester he cried, drawing up
to the curb.
"No time-an important matter!"
II know it, sir. Miss Dorothy is run
ming away"
Now what Mr.. Sylvester answered may
be rendered -, because, as he is most
respectable old gentleman, well esteemed
in Chicago church, it would not be fair
to be more explicit.
II cannot see this happen, sir " said
Jack. Jump in, and We'll be just in time
to stop it"
Young man, young man, do you know
where they have goner'
1.-THE very place. Well get there in
time, if you hurry"
Sylvester, pere, jumped in. Mr.. Bird
| told the cabby to drive like mad to St.
| Thomas, as if an elopement could occur
in st. Thomas, and like mad, because the
cabby knew Mr.. Bird to be q gentleman
of large tips, they bowled up the avenue.
And Sylvester, pere, poured out his
heart to Bird and said Tom was villain,
and Bird agreed with him.
"Tell the fellow to drive faster-faster,
say" funnel Sylvester, pere.
OF course st. Thomas was as mute as a
church can be with doors closed, like a
priest denying absolution to sinner.
Here Bird appeared confused. He adj
mitted that he had mistaken the church.
Sylvester, pere, nearly had apOplexy at his
disappointment, and in all conscience the
only thing Bird could do was to continue
the search.
At last both returned crestfallen to Mrs.
Fielding's on Madison avenue, where Dor
othy had been stopping.
Now, Mrs. Fielding was very charm
ing and admirable woman. But as Doro-
thy had been intrusted to her by Sylvester,
pere, she had felt it incumbent on her to
let him know of her discovery regarding
Dorothy's and Tom Van Brule's proposed
elopement. But Sylvester, perc, had
reached the house just as Miss Dorothy
left. Rushing about wildly, looking for his
daughter, Sylvester, pere, had fallen into
Mr.. Birds hands.
As the cab drew near Mrs. Fielding Syl-
vester, pere's, eyes began to bulge, for there
on the doorstep stood the fugitives, Doro-
thy and Tom Van Brule.
"Were married, papa" said Dorothy
demurely, land Mr.. Bird, never-never
can forgive you for helping papa to thwart
u.s."
Chow could you have done it?" demand
ed Tom, in apparent high dudgeon.
Nor does Sylvester, pere, know to this
day Mr.. Birds subterfuge. He regards
him as a most exemplary young man, fit to
| nose rs Han old head on Young shoulders ~