The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-12-09

otusineo, remarked Kilien, slyly.
Its you, Kilien."'
FOR better or for worse" my incor-
r'glole cousin responded, laughing me
in the face.
The morning came fair and fresh.
mere was tossing Of heads, and
ehamping Of bits. as the grooms held
the horses in FESTIVE outline against
the bare November branches, the pure
cold sky. We had brisk, hard run.
the strong air hit and frightened our
faces, and the deep baying of the dogs
resounded over the meadow land, now
near. now far away.
But of course Stavers had the best
mount.
Yes, OF course, Stavers had far and
away the best one, as the guest of hon
orr and my little mare, Babette, was
plainly out of it. She did her best, but
we fell behind; and Kilien and the
earl were in at the death.
Notice EN-" said Betty over my
shoulder. She meant notice the two
winners. who were talking earnestly
together, and looking into each others
eyes. Then Stavers, seeing us, crossed
over and complimented Kittens riding;
but that young lady cried out with
sparkling eyes: ut was just Ulysses!"
l left them. and rode back alone.
Hello, Charlie" came voice from
the roadside; and there, astride of a
fence, was Jack Roche, the clergyman
OF Dale-a tall, lean, cadaverous fell
low, the valedictorian of our time. He
has his living from Dandy. who built
the fine church, the square tower of
which stands out against the low hori-
zon as you pass along the Meadow
brook road. "Babette didn't keep up,
eh?"
mo. confound it,"
Il fancy everything goes the way of
kll1en and the earl" smiling quizzically.
well, yes" I said; and rode on,
rather cut up.
But l was not going to play second
fiddle to the Britisher not I. l
dropped back to town, and resumed my
work at Buy & Sells. Even there, 1
couldn't take up paper without hav-
g what Stavers was doing obtruded
c. my attention, and seeing his name
coupled with Kittens. Where she
went he was; all the little title
tattle OF the smart set centered about
the two. I was urged to dinner by the
Danbys, but I stayed away purposely;
and Kittens urgency about visiting
Dale went UNDECIDED, until, just before
Thanksgiving time, there came from
her positive order, which left me sur
prised and troubled. A servant came
up from Dale with the note, which read
Il can repeat it even now word for
word:
Dear Charlie: Jack Roche is in town.
l want him down here Thanksgiving, with
out fall. by seven o'clock. Come yourself:
you Will be needed. It's plan have ar
ranged myself. and it includes opening the
church and wedding that not soul must
know about. AS always trust you i'm
plicttly. and Of course you won't betray me-
You never did. Charlie; you won't begin
now. The utmost secrecy must be kept, or
else all will be spoiled. Just six persons
know, when you and Jack Roche are 80
cluded. Yours always,
What did I do, pray, after this? I
went around of a frosty morning to
find Roche. NY face, I think, was as
long as deacon's.
"You must go down to Dale with me
Tomorrow"
ITO Dale?"
TITS Kittens ORDER"
"Eh, Charlie" he said, "you are cut
up about Miss Dandy"
"A clergyman, Jack, has some ex-
emptions," I commented, "but I shall
swear in a minute
you look it, he said. II ought to
lecture you. But will go down." he
concluded.
didn't tell him then what it was
all about. I didn't tell him that Kilien
probably wanted to elope with Lord
Stavers. Why in the world she wanted
to run away when it was all so easy
in the ordinary way, was quite beyond
me. I couldn't fathom her design. It
was only plain that it was she and
Stavers.
Well, we took the train at Long Is
land City that afternoon. AS we came
in, Curry, one of Philip Danby's
grooms, was on hand, with word that
his mistress and Miss Betty, and his
lordship and Mr.. Brooks were outside
with the horses. Then Kilien herself
rushed in under the light of the sta
ton lanterns, looking flushed and hap
py.
"Your church is all ready, Mr..
Roche"
"A wedding, eh?" said the rector.
| "A runaway one, Mr.. Roche"
ITO avoid big one and all the prep
aration?" he said, buttoning his
coat.
Exactly" said my cousin, flushing
even more; but wondered why she did
all the talking-why Stavers failed to
say word for himself.
"And Mr.. Danby-what will he say?"
the rector went on.
But Kilien stamped her foot at this,
Ter eyes flashing.
Its what say, isn't it, Mr.. Roche?
If papa scolds, you have only to refer
| to me-"
"Yes," said the rector, looking rather
troubled. "of course. Miss Danby.''
"Now. you will do it, Mr.. Roche
her voice was pleading.
He looked at her. She made a very
spirited picture-a little silver tipped
stick in her gloved hand; covert coat
turned up to her ears; her eyes laugh
ing, vet insistent. And be was no older
| than the rest of us.
II will risk it, Miss Kilien."
She took both his hands. "You dear
Mr.. Roche!"
"She has her way with every man."