Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1900-08-30
III Il kKKtun
e
5 0UTFLANKING PAPA s

g.. w said thing, even in the heat of
an exciting none nt, he made a, point
of holding to his words, sometimes at
the cost of considerable personal in
convenience, and therefore when his
ONLY daughter Grace informed Kim of
the proposal which she had received
from that impecunious young engi-
neer, Percy Boufeld, 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 Boutield appeared in The after
noon to make a formal offer to Sir
Richard he was met by the chain-shot:
mot at hone.'
There was a stolen meeting down by
the lodgekeeper's cottage in the even
ing and pan of campaign was ar
ranged Of. -. .> b.
Sir Richard watched his daughter
keenly as they sat at. dinner. Mother
less girls have knack CT twisting I'M
wary fathers round their little fingers,
and, although he felt no particular re-
gret at the prospect of losing his only
child. whose masterful ways had long
bored him exceedingly, he was quite
determined that his 5sor-in-law should
be one of his own selection. +
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. I 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 a 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. 81 .-. $685..
Understand thaty minor can
not marry without my consent, also
that L absolutely forbid any written
communication with Percy. I have sent
letter explaining the position to his
father and a note to him.
The exposure of the steel hand, inno-
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise,
was the surest method of confirming
n rebellious daughter in her defiance of
authority. q n.y. f. ~ y 4
The little rose-bowered wayside sta
ton 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
pace on the way to London was Well
by Junction.
The plan of the proposed elopement
was exceedingly simple. 4.@
Grace was to walk to Berry, through
the park, overnight, and ask, as if from
Sir Richard, to have the 9:3O "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 North British mar
rage. Gretna Green up to date, be it
observed.
The day had been agreed upon, and
OH the Hateful morning Grace, accom-
panied by an unobtrusive handbag and
pair of tremulous knees, set out
through the park. -.. d. 80"
She had barely started before Sir
Richard. with a telegram in his hand,
was ordering mounted man to the
station to signal the 9:30, and demand
ing the immediate presence of his
daughter, as important business called
him unexpectedly to town. z a.a
Signal $3.50 up!'' said the groom,
without dismounti ting, and swerving
around to return. go"
''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
lance between her and home increased,
and when she emerged from the park
and was walking up the incline o.; the
gravel platform her step was firm and |
steady. She asked for ticket for Well
by without any sign of nervousness,
but she almost dropped her purse Wien
Mr.. Bliksby said: -
MAY I give you Sir Richa- -. ~
It will save time.' =" = >n.ss
from the train. " med by shrek
brakr .<oieh drew up with
q second +: rs, Mr.. Bliksby slid out.
= as 81 ~eket> but Grace did not see
W. e turned to the platform.
.-<th a gasp Of dread she saw Sir
ave he ,rd's aogcart swing around an
ang' e of the road, just as the guard
car ae forward civilly to open car
II age door. 3d. @"rt q @ -
lin your van, please, quickly" she
Aaid, looking straight into his eyes and
extending half sovereign,
Sir Richard strolled into the book
ing office, saw, and pocketed, his ticket,