The Jersey City news., 1899-12-16
AN INTERRUPTED e :
ELOPEMENT.
The Bride Wanted q Romance.
= She Found q Romance, bat
SS<A Not the KiHd OF One
3sSss@ She Looked For. :

ctS$>SSc2sSSsfSS1 S4S 1%cC-ASN Z o1s
A young woman came very quietly
from the side door Of the handsome house
and stepped softly down the stone walk
and through the gateway 1t was a
cloudy evening, and her movements were
hidden by the shadows. She walked to
the nearest street corner and was imme-
diately joined by young man whose
arm She took as they passed along.
did keep you waiting long, Fred!H
she asked. 1T seemed quite impossible
to get away without being observed.
mo, said the young man; the wait
ing was nothing. But why is it neces-
sary that you should resort to all this =
he was going to say nonsense" but
wisely checked himself-'this mystery
SIT is necessary. | tell you, Fred.
can't receive you at home and there IS
no other way. | have told you many
times that my father would never con
sent TO give you NY hand. It might be
different il mother were alive. but now 1t
is more than likely that father would for
bid you the house.
That isn't possible" said the young
man. Il am the son Of his Oldest friend
He has ever professed regard for me-
Surely there is nothing in my conduct
that could prejudice him. am poor, but
my prospects are excellent, and
q tell you, Fred, he intends me for
higher game. No struggling architect IS
good enough for his daughter. But he
shall not tear Us apart.
"Of course not said Fred hastily.
"But. really, Elsie, don't like this sort
of thing. 1t seems
She drew her hand from his arm.
Don't like it?" she echoed.
"Of course j like it, he quickly assert
ed. AT least like you, which is great
deal more to the point.
The girl took his arm again.
"I.et me tell you, Fred, dear" she soft
ly said, that if it wasn't for this very
sort of thing, this secrecy, the opposition
Of my father, the romance Of It az,
very likely shouldn't love you half as
much. The more papa sights you the
more determined am to be yours. Fun
ny. isn't it?''
I "Delightfully funny" said the young
man, and then they switched away from
the subject and pursued their secret half
hour stroll.
When they returned to the handsome
home, the young woman, after tender
though brief parting with the young man,
re-entered the side door with most elab-
crate effort to be both cautious and noise
less.
The young man walked away softly
chuckling.
.This does seem ike such q sentimental
farce" he murmured, ''and vet | must
play my part through TO the drop Of the
curtain | cant imperil my happiness
now after waiting for it since boyhood.
l think she loved me all the time, but it
has taken a very ingenious scheme to
bring her to a realizing sense Of my at
fractions aud general worthiness. Dear
little bundle OF romance. Well, mustn't
forget to take precious good care that
some romance is introduced and retained
III orr married life.
The secret meetings were continued,
and Elsie assured her lover that tie op-
position Of her father TO him was beeom-
ing more and more marked.
why, Fred" she cried one evening,
papa said be believed you were a Iner-
cenary youth and that you had a deceit
full face Why. felt ike rising right up
I and defending you before all the world
and then telling papa that though he
threw me into prison | would never,
never, never wed any one but you! But !
/ didn't"
THAT was wise," said Fred. IL isn't
qaite time for that"
There was a moments silence.
81 tell yoE what il IS Fred, said the
young girl with a little catching in her
throat, f.the only thing for us to do is to
elope"
Fred was not startled.
ITS the very thing | was about to
suggest he quickly said. What night
do you prefer"
'sYou dear boyr' cried Elsie, affection
ately patting his arm. There is some
romance in you after al"
ssThank YOU said Fred stolidly.
"What nightY'
~ want f. wear my lovely new travel
ing suit" said Elsie, "and it will not be
faished until Thursday. Then | must
go down to the Friday bargain sales and
get a few things that 1 need"
Not a rope ladder?" laughed Fred.
mo" said Elsie, with an echoing CUR
gle. Fancy bargain sale with an ad-
vertisement something like this: a full
and choice line of rope ladders for elope-
ment uses. Come early, before the stock
is picked over Only one rope ladder
viii be sold to each customer How's
that?"
.'very amusing said the young man,
'But you haven't decided on the event
full day."
"Well, suppose we say week from
next Thursday
"That suits me- replied the young
man. What are your plans?"
II have them laid OUT replied the
young girl eagerly. My new street suit
will be finished Wednesday. It's the
lovelest thing you ever laid eyes on
Nine Summerson never gave me such
fit before"
.Im afraid Ne'll soon have to give "
Nine. Summerson," said the young mar
gravely.
'.Do you really think so, dear?"
'Yes, love- Marrying a poor but hon
Ast vnnn9 architect is pretty sure cur.
for the ITS -.
can't count for certain on your father
forgiveness
"Oh, yes. we can. He'll welcome u
back with open arms"
I'm pretty sure we won't deserve i
But go on"
Well, Ill put on my new dress and
4 over to Name Holidays In the after
noon I'll manage to slnuggle over la
Of things in paper parcel, and yoa mus
come up with new travelling bag an
we'll pack them all III that Then 80