The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-29
The Pangbourine EIopement,

f1S 1Acpn8uEs next 70 the cn0fC1s always
fun IN summer time. was doing an unit
sualiy roaring trade.
The wedding was not q popular one
The bride, Beatrice Grey. was much be-
loved in Pangbourne. but had her father
been hving-so It was said-the union
! about to be Ieeelbaresd would never have
been permitted. Mrs. Grey. however, was
satisfied. She was one Of those women
who think that the be-all and end-all OF
life Is to be rich, which the bridegroom,
Godfrey Brewster. certainly was. He had
already been Sheriff of London, and in
the ordinary course Of city custom he
would almost certainly become lord mayor.
He had a rival In John vaisey Of the
Fighting Fifth dashing young soldier
who had fought like a man In the Tirah
under Lockhart, and whose brave deeds
deserved to be better recompensed. Up
there in the Afghan hills he had been
within an ace of death time and again,
but he had come home without a scratch
to find Beatrice, whom he loved. pledged
| to another man. In spite Of this Captain
Vaisey had made every effort to win her
for his own, but Mrs. Grey had persist
emily opposed him, and the little incl
dents Of life on which the fate Of men
and even Of nations hangs had been
against him. 1t was true that Beatrice
secretly cherished a tender regard for
him, but Misrepresentation, gossip. scan
dal and, worse than all. misunderstand-
ings, had kept them apart for a whole
year, and now here was her wedding
day.
Beatrice. with her sister and mother,
| lived at Weir House, the pretty villa
with the terrace below the lock The
front faces the road. the back commands
the river. Beatrice, overcome by the or
deal through which she was passing, tried
| by her mothers attentiones, teased by the
good-natured badinage Of her bridesmaids,
and almost IN tears at the sacrifice Of her
| happiness, which at the eleventh hour she
| inwardly knew this marriage meant, sat
| in the drawing-room In her bridal dress
though not yet gloved or veiled-staring
drearily at her wedding presents. but
wearing a wedding day smile, when the
old gardener came in a fustered sort Of
way and stood, hat in hand. at the French
windows. He carried a small bouquet of
white roses.
She went toward him and took the flow
ers, when, with the familiar but respect
full freedom of an old servant, he mo-
toned her aside. AS she stepped out on
to the terrace he slipped into her hand
a note.
THE Cap'n told me to gle ye the roses,
Miss, and particular the note. He be
yonder T. the punt"
1t as the merest scrap Of paper torn
from a notebook, and not even in an en-
velope. She unfolded and hastily read
the brief pencil scrawl:
Before you are irrevocably lost. speak
to me, implore you. JACK"
The gardener stood by her side and
pointed to Captain Vaisey. He was on
the lawn under q willow, and his punt
was moored by the steps OF the river
terrace close by.
For a moment or two she hesitated,
then, crunching the note in one hand and
gathering up the train of her dress in the
other, she hurried across the lawn. As
soon as she advanced towards him he
strove to meet her eagerly.
There was no time for long speech or
argument, and that John Vaisey knew
we'll His was a desperate effort. and II |
was a time not for words, but for ac-
ton.
This marriage must not be-" he said |
She was as white as her own gown |
She looked about her, shuddering.
You will be unhappy for your whole |
life" he said,s sternly. you know you /
do not love this man. / know you love |
me- -
ut is too late" she faltered.
She looked back at the open French win |
dows of the house. paused doubtfully. and |
stepped a pace or two towards the river. |
Her hesitation encouraged him. He PUT |
his arm through hers and led her away, [
talking persuasively, rapidly, till she stood |
by the punt.
There is no time for consideration" he |
g-,&a
Almost before she knew Il he mad I'M |
loosed the chain and pushed or from the |
terrace.
"But where, how-what IL this?" she |
exclaimed. in sudden apprehension.
well, it's an elopement," he replied. |
That's the plain English Of It. Instead /
OF marrying Mr.. Brewster at Fangbourne.
you marry me at Mapleduraam. 1 love
you. Beatrice, and that's the truth. Why
should you be miserable forever?'
She covered her face with her hands;
she clinched her fists; she implored him 10
return, but he only punted steadily down
the stream. pausing but once to throw a
wrap over her briday dress. At first she
was in tears. but as they got toward
Mapledurham she had q fit of hysterical
laughter. Then she grew pale.
81 expect they're looking for me every
where. Imagine mother. o. Jack. this Is
dreadful. Take me back. Put me ashore"
But Jack quietly punted on. When
they came to the old mill Jack Helped
her out OF the punt, and, holding her
hand. covered It with Kisses.
You're ashore now, Beatrice. and there
is Mapledurham Church. I have thought
all this out. Here's the marriage license,
and the Vicar Is expecting us-or, any
how. he's waiting for us-unless you'd
rather go back and become Mrs. Brew
ster."
LAS though he'd have me now" she
pouted, latter keeping him waiting like
this"
Jack laughed, whereupon she frowned.
Then she laughed, and as uddeny became
serious again, turning round to gaze be-
yond the belt of NAPLES and oyer the
beautiful river toward Pangbourne
Il know what you're thinking" said
Jack; but never mind the-the others.
Come along"
When they came TO the church gate
she chung to him a moment and. lifting
her face up to HIS whispered. in a sud
den burst OF gratitude. 20. Jackl How
you have saved NE, Won't I just be a
good wife to you for this"'
And she is.-Illustrated London News.