The Opelousas courier., 1899-06-17
laughinglv handed back the watch.

laughingly handed back the watch.
cit is only half past L."
"Why, so it ISL exclaimed the pro-
lessor, amazed. 81 was almost posi-
tive that it was after 2; but that will
give us time for a long tramp
SO on they went further and further
into the woods, until at last, with arms
filled with fine specimens of maiden.
hair, they sat down on a messy stone
to analyze them.
when we are married, Grace, ]
hope to find q rare pupil in you. We
have a y,ar to wait until your father
considers you old enough" continued
he. 81 don't mind saying to you, little
girl, that | find the waiting tedious at
times."F
Grace's heart throbbed rapidly.
"Then yon 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; 1 should apt- in \the
least. But there!" the professss
sighed heavily. "Your father is quite
right, quite right, and we must wait.
Now, shall we analyzesa few more
specimens?'
They turned again to tie ferns aud
sc the time passed. Suddenly the
professor seemed to realize that time
was flying, and whipped out his
watch.
"Bless my soul" he cried. eve
will barely have time to get to the
boat. 1t is 4 O'Clock. We must
hurry. Grace"
They had not gone far before the
deep whistle sounded Oil 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 a bend in the river.
chs is a predicament," said Pro-
lessor Harper, as he mopped his brow.
1.-The worst OF it is 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 inadvertently turned the
hands, Grace, when you took it from
MOP"
Grace hung her head, but made no
reply.
"Grace," he exclaimed, 81 believe
that you did it, aud 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,
Herbert. 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 l say. If you will agree
to marry me right away, I know a
man that lives about a mile from here
who will drive us to CLANCY. If you
don't promise, I 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 establishment, and then,
as her meaning BURST upon him, gave
vent to a oar Of laughter. Grace's
lip %quivered.
ooh, I surrender! I surrender"
cried the professor hastily. 81 will
do anything you ask, my dear. But
what a very desperate character you
are!"
Shamefaced, but determined. Grace
led the %chuckling professor to the
house of farmer, with whom arrange
ments 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. I wish we had done
long ago." whispered back the pro-
smiling boyishly. II haven't
been on such a lark for years"
The C.E. club held aprivate jolifca-
ton when it was known that Professor
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, II hope hat you
won't always use such desperate
methods to obtain your w way"
"But there wasn't anything else to
do" answered Mrs. Harper -Cleve-
land Press.