Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-09-29
SATURDAY. SEPT.2 o 1900
|. 0UTFLANKING PAPA



and therefore when his
only daughter Grace informed him OF
the proposal which she had received
from that impecunious young engi-
neer, Percy Boufield. and he angrily
insisted upon an instant cessation OF
all communication between them, the
fond and devoted couple knew that
nothing short of an elopement could
meet their needs. Indeed, so promptly
did action follow upon declaration that
when Boufield Appeared In The after
noon to make = formal offer to Sir
Richard he was met by the chain-shot:
mot at home"
There was stolen meeting down by
the lodgekeeper's cottage in the even.
ing and plan of campaign was ar.
ranged.
Sir Richard watched his daughter |
keenly as they sat at dinner. Mother |
less girls have knack Of twisting un.
wary fathers round their little fingers |
and, although he felt no particular re-
greet at the prospect of losing his only |
child, whose masterful ways had long
bored him exceedingly, he was quite
determined that his Sor-in-law should
The spirit of independence in chill
dren of to-day is not only wrong; it is
annoying to parents who have a duty
TO perform. 1 will make it my bust.
ness to find some man of breeding and
Position-in fact, have one in my
mind at this moment-who will speed.
lily cause you to forget this schoolgirl
fancy for a lad whose youth alone
made me look upon him as harmless
companion for you"
"oh, thank you, papa" said Grace,
with such an emphatic tone of graft.
tude that Sir Richard looked up sus.
piciously.
Understand thatyouss a minor can
not marry without my consent, also
that 1 absolutely forbid any written
communication with Percy. Ihave sent
. letter explaining the position to his
father and note to him"
The exposure of the steel hand, limo
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise,
was the surest method of confirming
rebellious daughter in her defiance of
authority.
The little rose-bowered wayside sta.
tion OF Berry was separated only by the
width Of the park from the Flambor-
ough mansion. No main line train
ever stopped there unless signaled UP
or down by the request of Sir Rich
ard. who was wont to impose upon the
courtesy of the company by creating
quite unnecessary delay when in the
mood to display his naughty disregard
of timetables. The next stopping
place on the way to London was Well
by Junction.
The plan of the proposed elopement
was exceedingly simple.
Grace was to walk TO Berry, through
the park, overnight, and ask, as if from
Sir Richard, to have the $3.50 'up" sig
nailed next morning. She was to leave
home unobserved and journey by that
train to Wellby, where she would be
Joined by Percy, and they would con-
tinue the journey to Scotland; for in
that country Percy owned female rel
ative, who would see them through the
formalities of a North British mar
riage. Gretna Green up to date, be it
observed.
The day had been agreed upon, and
on the fateful morning Grace, accom-
panied by an unobtrusive handbag and
pair of tremulOus knees, set out
through the park.
She had barely started before Sir
Richard, with telegram in his hand,
was ordering a mounted man to the
station 20 signal the $3.50, and demand
ing the immediate presence of his
daughter, as important business called
him Unexpectedly TO town.
Signal $50 up!" said the groom
without dismounting, and swerving
around to return.
"Sir Richard don't think much o. my
memory" said old Bilksby, the station
master, to whom Grace had given the
same order the night before.
Grace gained courage as the dis
tance between her and home increased
and when she emerged from the parl
and was walking up the incline of the
gravel platform her step was firm anG
steady. She asked for a ticket for Well
by without any sign of nervousness
but she almost dropped her purse wheI
Mr.. Bliksby said:
''May 1 give you Sir Richards, miss.
1t will save time.'
Her reply was crowned by a shriel
from the train, which drew up witt
grinding brakes. Mr.. Bliksby slid GU
second ticket, but Grace did not Sc,
it as she turned to the platform.
With a gasp of dread she saw ST
Richards dogcart swing around al
angle of the road, just as the guar,
came forward civi!ly to open car
riage door.
I'm your van, please, quickly" sh
said, looking straight into his eyes an
extending a half sovereign.
Sir Richard sAolled into the book
ing office, saw, and pocketed, his ticket
said Back tonight to Mr.. Bliksby
and walked down the platform, 70
lowed by a handsome Russian grey
hound.
Here, guard" he said, 'T can't tax
this dog in the carriage. He bite
strangers, and goes wild in dog boz
must bring him and ride with hill
in your van"
ssn.,4 Co.