The Jersey City news., 1899-12-16

fled comfortably at nome r
Don't talk nonsense, dear. You know
couldn't be married comfortably at
| home, at least not to you unless you dis
guised yourself and married me under
an assumed name. Wouldn't that be ro-
mantic?"
"One romance at time, dear"
The days passed rapidly, especially the
ever to be remembered Thursday.
1t was not a pleasant day. The sky
was o'ercast and late in the afternoon
dreary drizzle set in. 1t was anything
but an auspicious brides day.
Fred came over early with the new
travelling bag, which was speedily packed
under the friendly direction OF Miss Hol-
liday, who was an expert in the packing
line, as well as q very discreet and close
| mouthed person who was generally un-
derstood to have been in love and dis
appointed.
Promptly at Z O'clock the carriage ar
uiyed, snd after fervent exchange Of
from Miss Holiday and was tenderly
handed into the carriage by Fred, and
they were soon on their way to the rail-
way station. When they reached the
platform. Fred got out to see if the coast
mediately.
1--WE can't stop here, DEAR he whis-
pered. There is a detective on the plat
form wonder if your father suspicion
ed your purpose?"
''1VeI, what are we to do?v
Drive over to the up town station.
The train isn't due for Is minutes yet
and it stops here ten minutes longer"
fl1oxy <J,4cx-n - --ay ha ~, f1xx4r,
ton aud again Fred alighted He came
back in half hysterical way.
There's another detective waiting on
the platform"
We'll, what of it?"
Nothing, save that we can't leave
town by rail for Craigsville until tomor-
row morning"
@-Thcn what will we do? | left them q
note, you know, and of course ] can't 50
back
Elsie's robe Of romance was fraying a
little al the edges. She looked out Of the
carriage window at the damp and chilly
night and shuddered.
Il know of an eminently respectable
home whore you can remain tonight =
said Fred, .and | viii go to a hotel"
''Take me to the house. Fred"
The young man gave the driver the
name Of the street and the number in q
low tone and then reioined Elsie on the
rear seat Of the closed carriage.
1t seemed like long and confused
drive The night was very dark and the
rain fell steadily. Elsie leaned back in
the carriage and answered Fred's re-
marks in monosyilables. The flower OF
romance was dropping sadly amid these
discouraging surroundings.
''Fred,n she suddenly said, I'm afraid
it wasn't right TO treat papa in this way :
Its a little late to look at it in that
light now" said Fred.
Then the carriage stopped.
Wrap your veil closely around your
face and take my arm, said Fred, as she
followed him from the carriage.
They hurried UP the steps, the door
was opened for them. they stepped into
the brilliantly lighted hall, and there,
holding out both hands, was Elsie's fa-
ther!
MY dear children" he cried, "you are
Just in timer' And he clasped Fred's
hand and kissed Elsie.
Before she could ask what it all meant
her wraps were whisked away by a
maid and she was led into the parlor.
She noticed in d bewildered way that
there were many flowers about the hand
some room. and that it looked unusually
attractive. Then she found herself stand
ing, still by the side of Fred. before a
kindly faced man, Who almost before she
realized what was happening, had pro-
nounced tham man and wife.
Fred kissed her, and her father kissed
her, but she said never a word.
And when the kindly faced man, Plead
ing another engagement. had hurried
away, her father came and sat by her
side and said:
well, my dear child. this was roman
tic enough, wasn't i'll"
The tears weiIed up in Elsie's eyes, and
she cried:
.Father. I have been very undutifuI."
The old man took her in his arms.
.lHere, herer' he cried. This win new
er do. Tears on your wedding day. Hie,
fe, EYerythi..g's all right now, nay
dear. Here Won are with doting father
and the best young husband in ell the
land
But l thought you We're 50 opposed to
Never. He's the young man Of all
others whom ] should have picked for
7
you. This isn't news for Fred.
Elsie looked at her smiling husband.
q think you two plotters,' she slowly
said. have made a ridiculous goose OF
me-
1--WE only plotted to let you have your
| own way" said Fred You surely can
/ object TO that" -
There. therel'' cried the old man. BY
,,o,as ora hvoonos This is certainly bet
| ter than being married in the stuify front
room of some country parsons home,
| with your deserted daddy worrying abou'
| YOU 80 miles away. Now you'll stay here
tonight and in the morning start on the
little wedding journey that Fred ana
! have planned for you. 1t is to last four
/ weeks and tg take IN all the big eastern
cities. and ! don't believe you Will lose
anything, nay love, in choosing my tcul
I in preference to the one over the romance
route. In this envelope. Fred. are all
the necessary documents, and here, lear
/ is gift from your happy old dad when
may add little spice to the parental
4 blessing" And he handed her slip OF
| paper.
Her eyes grew large at sight Of the fig
ures on the check, but before she couic
express her gratitude he hastily inter
rupted her.
| "Yes. yes" he said; "it's all right, mJ
| dear. | fully understand what you wani
| to sav. But come. there's an appetizins
| little supper awaiting US in the dining
[nt