The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-30
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: THURSDAY JULY so 1896

engaoed in them But we who knew Par
sons wife. and who had found out that IN
many ways Alice took after her mother,
were able to make some guess. Ana we
guessed that Parson had rather Dad time
OF it, as third party is apt to have, getting
all the din and dust of battle without the
excitement and painful pleasure OF beIng In
the fight.
On the Monday after the third publication
of the banus Alice caught, saddled, ana
bridfed her pony and rode off to bodmin
On the road she passed Dlcky "ade, Tue
gardener and preacher, who said;
Alice Treweekes, you IN a bad maiden to
dishonor zee fathers gray hairs and bring n
'th sorrow to T. grave Broad is the way It
leadeth t. Scarlet Woman, which Is t road
you IN going"
"Don't you bother, Uncle Dieky,' saId
Alice, and passed on her way, leaving Dicky
mumbling alone and turning texts over be-
tween his teeth.
"Parson, finding Alice and her pony gone,
guessed the quarter to which they had
flown, laid the case before his wife, went 10
the stable, saddled his old gray mare-fate-
full words, for he used TO follow the Wind
ingford, Minister, aud Forrabury hounds on
that mare until the other gray mare forbade
him-and set out on the Bodmin road lie,
in turn came to Dcky Wade.
Have you seen my daughter on her pony,
Dicky ?" said Parson cheerily, though with
heavy heart. He never thought how
much his own action had called the atten-
ton of all the country side to the engage
ment, nor did he know how much the affair
had been gossiped over already, Parson being
one of those men who see everything except
the obvious, and he wished to keep away any
scandal.
"Have seen 'n?" said Dicky scornfully.
"Iss, have seen n. And Z serves ZEE right
have seen n riding, on such day as these
| day morning be, through all the mucksey
droud of Bodmin road because her thirst alter
| It Scarlet Woman. 'Tes judgment on 'ee iof
being an Erastian."
Parseu knew now that he was on the right
road so he went forward, not troubling his
head much about Dicky, whose religious
! views were well known. He made his way
to the Roman Catholic Chapel, alightec,
gave his horse to boy to hold, and walked
up to the door. Just as he got there, out
came Pat Dooley with Alice on his arm.
| "Alice," said Parson, your mother and l
guessed where you had gone She herself
would have followed you, had we not known
| that no time was to be lost, and could ride
| after you quicker than she and could drive
| She wishes-that is, we both wish-you TO
think before you take this step. We wish
you to think, at any rate, longer over the
matter before you take this irrevocable step
Consider what it is to 30 against the wishes
of parents who have loved you as we have
done. Unless you pause, not only our pain
but also our just wrath, unhappy girl, will
follow you through your new life. Think
and do not raise the dreadful anger OF your
mother"-and, after a pause, remembering
himself" and myself"
Dear father" said Alice, "you know how
sorry am to grieye you; but love Pat
and-and-well, it's done now, and we DOM
want it undone."
"You have been married this morning? p
asked Parson.
"Yes," replied both.
Parson heaved sigh of relief
well, Of course, in that case I can de
nothing. Your mother herself could dc
nothing. Really, think there is nothing te
be done except to accept the inevitable.
Shall we let bygones be bygones, and bs
friends again? Well all 90 home and have
as good wedding breakfast as we can raise
at short notice. But / really don't know
what your mother will say."-7he Sketch.