, 1899-03-30

tnb Adlantum l"uatum.
True, my dear. Let me see what
the time is. We don't want to 20 20
far that we will not be able to get back
to the boat i'll time"
He drew out his watch, hut before
he could glance at it Grace had snatch.
ed it from him.
Now guess, Herbert" she cried
merrily, putting her hands behind her
Guess the time.
Professor Harper smiled indulgently
at must DO , o'clock or after, he
said.
"Oh, you bad guessar!" And Grace
laughingly banded back the watch
at is only half past l."
"Why, so it is!' exclaimed the pro,
fessor, amazed. 81 was almost positive
hat it was after 2; but that will give
Us time for . long tramp"
So on they went farther and farther
into the woods, until mt last, with arms
filled with fine specimens of maiden
hair, they sat down OIL a messy stone to
analyze them.
when we are married. Grace, | hope
I ~ q AhAN bupii III Npb' W. hdfb
only a year to wait now until your ia
ther considers you old enough, con
tinued he. 81 don't mind saying to
you, little girl, that | find the waiting
tedious at times"
Grace's heart throbbed rapidly.
"Then you would not mind very
much if something should happen that
would make US marry sooner, would
your" she asked, in a low tone
"No, dear | should not; not in the
least. But therel' the professor sighed
heavily. "Your father IS quite right,
quite right, and we must wait. Now,
shall we analyze a few more specimens:'
They turned again to the ferns and
SO the time passed. Suddenly the pro.
fessor seemed to realize that time was
flying and whipped out his watch.
"Bless my soull' he cried. 1--WE will
barely have time to get to the boat, 1t
is 4 o'clock. VIZ must hurry, Grace"
They had not gone far before the deep
whistle sounded on their ears.
"Why We can never reach the boat
in time in the world We must run foI
it, GraCer'
But, despite their efforts. when they
reached the shore the boat was hidden
from view by a bend in the river
This is a predicument," said Pro
fessor Harper, as he mopped his brow
"The worst of it is that they will think
we did it on ~purposel ~ And he frOwued
in annoyance. 81 cannot think how my
watch came to be so far behind time
Do you suppose you could have inad
vertently turned the hands, Grace,
when you took it from me?"
Grace hung her head, but made no
reply.
Grace, " he exclaimed. II believe
that you did it, and on purpose! Did
you?"
Grace nodded.
"But why, child? Why should you
want to be left way out here in the
woods?"
I'm going to run off with you, Her.
bert. So that you might as well make
up your mind to it,"
why What does the girl mean?'
gasped the professor in amazement.
Just what | say If you will agree
to marry me right away, / know a man
that lives about n mile from here who
will drive us to CLANCY. If you don't
promise, | will not tell where he lives
and you will just bave to stay here all
night"
Professor Harper stared at her for a
moment in establishment, and then, as
her meaning burst upon him, gave vent
to "A roar of laughter Grace's lip
quivered.
"Oh, ! surrenderl I%surrenderl !" cried
the professor hastily. 81 will do any,
thing you ask, my dear. But what a
very desperate character You are!'
Shamefaced, but determined, Grace
led the chuckling professor to the house
of a farmer, with whom arrangements
were soon concluded to drive them to
CLANCY
"You don't really mind, do you,
HERBERT" whispered Grace as they
reached the house of the minister.
mind No. wish we had done it
long ago" whispered back the profess
or, smiling hoyisaly II haven't been
on suoA a lark for years.
Inc II. 'auu ItiN Il private Joiiiu
cation when it was known that Profess
or Harper and Grace Dawn had eloped,
and the villagers wondered at the de
pravity of a man of his age.
"All the same, my dear, - said the
professor to his wife, 81 hope that you
won't always use such desperate meth
DDS to obtain your own way
But there wasn't anything else to
do, " answered Mrs. Harper.
And, laughing, he kissed her.-L
Foster Madison in Cleveland Press.