El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-16
"that we might find some specimens of

"that we might find some specimens Of
the Adiantum pedatum.
''True, my dear. Let me see what
the time is. We don't want to go &C
far that we will not be able to get back
to the boat in time
| He drew out his watch, but before
| he could glance at it Grace had snatch
| ed it from him.
CHOW guess, Herbert" she cried
! merrily, putting her hands behind her
"Guess the time -
/ Professor Harper smiled indulgently.
| "It must be o'clock or AFTER" he
| said
"Oh, you bad guesser And Grace
laughingly banded back the watch.
cit is only half past l."
"Why, so it ISL exclaimed the pro-
| fessor, amazed. 81 was almost positive
that it was after 2; but that will give
us time for a long tramp"
So on they went farther and farther
into the woods, until at last, with arms
filed with fine specimens of maiden
hair, they sat down on messy stone to
analyze them.
"When we are married, Grace, I hope
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 1 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
IT,
mo, dear; should not; not in the
least. But there!" the professor sighed
heavily. Your father is quite right,
quite right, and we must wait. Now,
shall we analyze 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 o'clock. We 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 for
it, Gracep
But, despite their efforts, when they
reached the shore the boat was hidden
from view by bend in the river
"This is a predioament, said Pro-
fessor Harper, as he mopped his brow
"The worst of it is that they will think
we did it on purpose!'' And he frowned
in annoyance. 81 cannot think how my
watch came to be SO far behind time
Do you suppose you could have mad
vertently turned the hands, Grace,
when you took it from me?''
Grace hung her head, but made no
reply.
"Grace," he exclaimed, 81 believe
that you did it. and on purposel Did
your
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 we'll 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 man
that lives about mile from here who |
will drive us to CLANCY. If you don't |
will not tell where he lives |
and you will just have to stay here all |
hight"
Professor Harper stared at her for |
in establishment, and then, as
her meaning burst upon him, gave vent
to roar of laughter. Grace's lip |
quivered.
sob, surrender surrender I" cried |
the professor hastily. 81 will do any
thing you ask, my dear. But what q
very desperate character you are!''
Shamefaced, but determined, Grace |
led the chuckling professor to the house
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. l wish we had done it
long ago." whispered back the profess
Dr., smiling boyishly. 81 haven't been
IN such lark for years.
The @. E. club held a private jol1ifi-
cation when it was known that Profess
or Harper and Grace Dawn had eloped,
and the villagers wondered at the de-
pravity of 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, 3" answered Mrs. Harper.
And, laughing, he kissed her,
Foster Madison in Cleveland Press.