Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-03-29
IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.

HERE was an air Of suppressed
excitement among the members
of the G. E. Club which culmi
mated in an open demonstration as the
reading Of the constitution was de-
manded. The President raped loudly
for order.
1T has been requested that the con
stitution be read" she said, in a clear
high soprano.
This organization shall be calico
The CLANCY Elopement Club AbsO-
lutte secrecy as to time and particulars
of elopement shall be maintained even
between members. Membership shall
be limited to seven, and shall cease the
moment a wedding ring is placed on a
true sisters finger. The older the man
inveigled into eloping. the more credit
shall be given the departing sister.
Boys under IS are not to be considered
responsible. Long wedding trips are
also barred.-T The penalty for being a
member longer than two years Is ex-
pulsion. Each departing member shall
suggest a sister TO take her place"
You have heard the reading of the
constitution" said the President, rising
from her chair. "Now, what action is
to be takenT'
Madam President'-a tall girl arose
with a malicious sparkle in her black
eyes-"the reading of the constitution
was demanded for the purpose of call
ing attention to tine clause which reads
that the penalty for being a member
for over two years is expulsion. We
have one such member. 1 think it time
that action was taken"
The members gasped as the auda
cious speaker took her seat, and listen
ed breathlessly for the Presidents an
swer. That official raised her head
defiantly, and said haughtily:
Il presume that you mean me, Miss
Andrews? l believe that 1 alone re-
main of the original seven"
Il do; and move that the Vice Presi.
the case"
"One moment, please" the President
turned to the Secretary. "Wiil you
kindly look up the time of my member
ship?'
Amid dead silence the Secretary re
ported: There are two months re-
manning. Madam President"
II thought So" The President turn
ed to the club, ignoring her of the black
eyes. You see," she said, that 1t Is
impossible for the club to take any
such step as the member moved, for
the present. 1 will say, however, that
such action will never become neces-
sary in my case" and a resolute look
came into the blue eyes.
30, Gracier' broke from the girls In
admiration, for 1t was an open secret
that the fair President had been en-
gagged for some two years to q digni-
fed professor Of science, a man some
twenty years her senior.
Grace walked away. The hateful
thingr' she exclaimed, the tears filling
her eyes in spite of herself; TN show
her! He does love me! He does! He
will do anything 1 wish; only he does
not approve Of eloping. Oh, l wish
and he just must do 1t, whether he
approves or not"
A month passed, and still no oppor-
tunity presented itself for putting into
practice any one Of her numerous
plans. Grace was almost in despair.
Sadie Andrews openly laughed her to
scOrn as the time passed and Oracle
was still Grace Dawn. Many Of the
girls looked dubious, and smiled faint
ly when Sadie would triumphantly
calculate: II told you sO," In their
presence. Grace preserved a calm bear
ing outwardly, but inwardly ragged at
her helpleSsnesS.
One day a merry party of excursion
lists boarded a boat, and went for an
outing thirty miles down the river
Among them We're Grace and Professor
Harper The G. Z. Club was out in
full force, and mighty resolve formed
itself in the maiden's mind that this
should be the eventful occasion.
A cave in the vicinity visited ana
lunch partaken of, the party broke up
into groups of twos or threeS and scat
tered over the hills into the woods, the
Captain Of the vessel cautioning them
against straying too far away, as the
boat would put out promptly at )
o'clock AS was natural, Grace and
the professor sauntered Off together.
Now where shall we SoY' inquired
tne pTOleSSOT. nave YOU any speCidi
place you would like to go?'
IT thought" said the artful miss.
that perhaps 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 SD
far that we will not be able to get back
to the boat in time"
T., hi tat h,rt hnf hn
could glance at 1t Grace had snatched
II from him.
Now, 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 guesserr' said Oracle,
laughingly, handed back the watch.
1T is only half past l."
"Why. so It isr exclaimed the pro-
fessor, amazed. 81 was almost posi-
i've that it was after 2, but that will
give US time for long tramp"
So on they went farther and farther
sSto the woods, until at last, with arms
filled with fine specimens Of maiden
hair, they sat down on messy stone
to analyze them. Suddenly the pro-
fessor seemed TO realize that the time
was flying and whipped out his watch.
Bless my soulr' he cried. I'VE will
barely have time TO get to the boat. 1t
Is o'clock now. We must hurry.
Grace"
They had not gone far before the
deep whistle sounded on their ears.
..Whyl We can never reach that
boat i'll time i'll the worldt We must
riin for 1t. Grace"