The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-05-27
TX.
The Elopement.

The Elopement.
On the evening of the 1st of April
Mrs. Bowmore was left alone with
the servants. Mr.. Bowmore and
Percy had gone out together to attend
the special meeting of the club.
Shortly afterward. Miss Charlotte
had left the cottage under very eS-
traordinary circumstances.
A few minutes only after the de-
parture of her father and Percy she
received a letter, which appeared to
cause her the most violent agitation.
She said to Mrs. Bowmore, Mamma,
l must see Captain Bervie for a few
minutes in private, on a matter OF
serious Importance to all Of US. He
is waiting at the front gate and he
will come in if | show myself at the
hall door," Upon this Mrs. Bow
more had asked for an explanation.
There is NJ time tor explanation, ="
was the only answer she received; II
ask you to leave me for five minutes
alone with the captain" Mrs. Bow
more, naturally enough, still hest
tated. Charlotte snatched up her
| garden hat and declared wildly that
she would go out to Captain Bervie if
she was not permitted to see him at
home. In the face of this declara-
tion Mrs. Bowmore yielded and left
the room.
In a minute more the captain was
in the cottage parlor. Although she
had given way to her daughter, Mrs
Bowmore was not disposed to trust
her without supervision in the So
ciety of man whom Charlotte her
self had reviled as a %slanderer and a
false friend. She took up her posi-
ton in the veranda outside the par
lor, at a safe distance from one OF
the two windows of the room, which
had been left partially open to admit
the fresh air. Here she waited and
listened.
The conversation was for some
time carried On in whispers. AS they
became more and more excited, both
Charlotte and Bervie ended in I'M
consciously raising their voices 81
swear it to you on my faith as a
Christian!" Mrs. Bowmore heard the
captain say. Il declare before God
who hears me that l am speaking the
truth" And Charlotte had answered
with q burst OF tears, 81 can't be-
lieve you! l daren't believe you
Oh, how can you ask me to do such
a thing? Let me go! let me go"
Alarmed at those words. Mrs. Bow
more advanced to the window and
looked in. Bervie had put Char,
lotte's arm in his arm, and was try
ing TO induce her to leave the
parlor with him. She resisted,
and implored him to release
her. Mrs. Bowmore was or
the point of entering the
room to interfere. when Bervie sud
denly dropped Charlotte's arm. and
whispered in her ear. She started
as she heard the words. looked al
him keenly, and instantly made W
her mind. "Let me tell my mother
where l am going, she said, and ]
will consent" .'Be it So" he
answered and hurried her out
Was. bOH l1OlC gu uhO wv
tage by the adjoining room, and met
them in the passage. ''Remembel
one thing" Bervie said, before Char
lotte could speak. Every minute i:
precious; the fewest words are best.
In few words Charlotte spoke. 9.
must go at once to Justice Bervie':
house. Don't be afraid, mamma! !
know what am about, and | know
that | am right"
"Going to Justice Bervie's!" CRIED
Mrs. Bowmore. in the utmost eXtrem
ity of establishment. What will YOU
father say, what will Percy thinl
when they come back from the club9:'
My sisters carriage is waiting
for me close BY" Bervie answered
1T is entirely at Miss Charlotte'
disposal. She can easily get back
if she wishes to keep her visit
secret. before Mr.. Bowmore and Mr..
Linwood return"
He lead the way to the door as he
spoke. Charlotte kissed her mother
tenderly, and followed him. Mrs
Bowmore called them to wait. g
daren't let you CO." she said to he
daughter, without your father
leave" Charlotte seemed not t.
hear her, the captain seemed not tt
hear. They al across the front gar
den, and through the gate-and wer
out of sight in less than a minute.
More than two hours passed; tn
sun had sunk below the horizon, an,
still there we're no signs of Charlotte
return.
Feeling seriously uneasy, Mrs
Bowmore crossed the room to rim!
the bell, and send the man servan
to Justice Bervie's house to hastel
her daughters return. As she ap