The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-19
SHORT
OF The
Chicago Times-Hera.d.)


thing, even In the heat of an exciting
moment, he made point of holding to
his words, sometimes 1.-THE cost of con-
siderable personal inconvenience, and
therefore when his only daughter Grace
informed him of the proposal which she
had received from that 1mpecunious
young engineer, Percy BoutieId, and he
angrfly insisted upon instant cessation
of all communication between them, the
fond and devoted couple knew that moth
ing short of an elopement could meet
their needs. Indeed, so promptly did ac-
ton follow upon declaration that when
Bouteld appeared in the afternoon to
make a formal offer to Sir Richard he
was met by the chain-shot, Not at
home"
There was stolen meeting down by
the Iodgekeeper's cottage in the evening.
and plan of campaign was arranged
Sir Richard watched his daughter keen
ly Us they sat at dinner. MotherIess girls
nave knack of twisting unwary fathers
round their little fingers, and, although
he felt no particular regret at the pros
peet of losing his only child, whose mas
terful ways had long bored him exceed
ingfy he was quite determined that his
son-ln-law should be one of his own
selection.
He intended to marry again, and at, 81
1T does not need the companionship of a
very much grown-up daughter to accen-
tuate ones age.
am glad to observe, Grace, that you
consider my decision final A worthy
young man, no doubt; may possibly dis
tngutsh himself some day, but unsuitable
as a partner for you. That you should
exhloit some slight disappointment is
natural, as it is your first conquest. You
withheld your personal consent, 1 trust?'
No, papa; 1 feel sure of myself and
almost equally so of you. Percy is in
tending to go abroad, and I wished to
avoid a separation, knowing his feelings
and mine.''
Fhen you had virtually accepted him
before you consulted me-"
I'VE have known each other ever since
childhood, and nothing but his failure to
accumulate sufficient sum to engage in
business for himself prevented him from
saying. what we both knew well two or
three years ago.
The spirit of independence In children
of today is not only wrong; il is annoy-
Ing to parents who have a duty to per-
form. L Will make it my business to find
some man Of breeding and position-in
fact' have one in my mind at this mo-
ment-whO will speedily cause Won to
forget tAis schoolgirl fancy for a lad
whose youth alone made me look upon
him as harmless companion for you 3"
on, thank you, papa" said Grace, with
such an emphatic tone of gratitude that
Sir Richard looked up suspiciously.
Understand that you as a minor can
not marry without my consent, also that
L absolutely forbid any written communt-
cation with Percy. have sent a letter
explaining the position to his father and
note to him"
The exposure of the steel hand, inno-
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise,
was the surest method of confirming a
rebellious daughter in her defiance of
authority
The little rose-embowered wayside sta
ton of Berry was separated only by the
WIDTH OF the park from the FIamborough
mansion. No main line train ever stop
ped there unless signaled up or down bv
the request of Sir Richard, who was wont
to impose upon the courtesy of the com
pany by creating quite unnecessary delay
when In the mood to display his naughty
disregard of time tables. The next stoD-
ping place on the way to London was
Wellby 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 signal
ed next, morning. She was to leave home
unobserved and journey by that train to
WelIby, where she would be Joined by
Percy and they would continue the jour
ney to Scotland; for in that country Per
cy owned female relative, who would
see them through the formalities of a
North British marriage Gretna Green
up to date, be it observed.
The day had been agreed upon, and on
the fateful morning Grace. accompanied
by an unobtrusive handbag and a. pair of
tr6nUiOnS
park.
She had barely started before Sir Rich
ard with telegram in his hand was or
oering a mounted man to the station to
signal the $3.50. and demanding the Imme-
diate presence of his daughter, as i'm
portant business called him unexpectedly
to town
Signal $50 up!" said the groom. with
out dlsmounting, and swerving around to
return
''sir Richard don't think much O. NV
memory said old Bliksby, the station
master, to whom Grace had given the
same order the night before
Grace gained courage as the distance
between her and home increased. and
when she emerged from the park and
was walking up the incline of the gravel
platform her step was firm and steady.
She asked for a ticket for Wellbv with
ONN oIJ Si5Al VI IlSI NOuSHeSS, out she al
most dropped her purse when Mr.. BIksby
said:
May I give you Sir Richards, miss?
1t will save time"
Her reply was drowned by a shrek
from the train, which drew UP with grind
ing brakes. Mr.. Bliksby slid out a sec
ond ticket, but Grace did not see 1t as
she turned to the platform
With gasp of dread she saw Sir Rich
ards dog cart swing round an angle of
the road, just as the guard came forward
civilly to open carriage door
In your van, please, quickly" she said,