The Somerset reporter., 1899-01-19

tered over the hills into the WOODS. Inc
captain OF the vessel cautioned them
against etraying too far away, AS the
boat would put out promptly at 8
O clock AS was natural, Grace and the
professor sauntered off together
Now, where shall we go:' inquired
the professor Have you any special
place that you would like to goY'
II thought. said the artful miss,
"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 so
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.
Nov guess, Herbert" she cried
merrily, putting her hands behind her
"Guess the time. p"
Professor Harper smiled indulgently
at must be oolock or after, be
eaid
"Oh, you bad guesserl |" And Grace
-laughingly handed back the watch
at is only half past l.
Why, SO it isl" exclaimed the pro
fessor, amazed. Il was almost positive
that it was after g. 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 a messy stone to
analyZe them.
when we are married, Grace, hope
to find rare pupil in you. We have
only year to wait now until your ia
ther considers you old enough, " con
tinued he. Il don't mind saying to
you, little girl, that l 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 low tone.
mo, dear should not not in the
least. But thereP' the professor sighed
heavily. "Your father is quite right,
quite right, and we must wait Now,
shall we nnalyze few more specimens"
They turned again to the ferns and
so the time passed. Suddenly the pro-
lessor seemed to realize that time was
flying and whipped out his watch.
BLESS my soul - 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, Grace -
But, despite their efforts, when they
reached the shore the boat was hidden
from view by bend in the river.
This is a predicament, said Pro.
fessor Harper, as he mopped his brow.
1.-The worst of it ia that they will think
we did it on purpose - And he frowned
in annoyance. II 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, 4" he exclaimed, II believe
that you did it, and on purpose Did
your"
Grace nodded.
but why, ohild2 Why should you
want to be left way out here in the
woods2"
"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, l know man
that lives about mile from here who
will drive us to CLANCY. If you don't
promise, | will not tell where he lives
and you will just have to stay here all
night.
Professor Harper stared at her for a
moment in astonishment and then, as
her meaning burst upon him, gave vent
to roar of laughter Graoe's lip
quivered.
ooh, surrender surrender p cried
the professor hastily. II will do any
thing you ask, my dear. But what a
very desperate character you are p
Shamefaced, but determined, Grace
led the chuckling professor to the house
of farmer with whom arrangements
were soon concluded to drive them to
CLANCY.
You don't really mind, do you,
Herbert2" 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 boyishly. II haven't been
on suoh a lark for years 3"
The @ e. club held private jollifi-
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, Il 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.