The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1900-10-06
OUTFLANKING PAPA )
VIT1EN Sir Richard Marlborough
wv said a thing. even in the heat OF
ptpp1x<8tH1pppf


an exciting moment, he made Of point
of holding to his words, sometimes at
the cost of considerable personal In
convenience, 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 betweeo 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 Boufeld appeared in he after
noon to make a 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 pan of campaign was ar
ranged.
Sir Richard watched his daughter
keenly as they sat at dinner. Mother
less girls have a 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
be one of his own selection.
'sThe spirit of independence in chill
dren of to-day is not only wrong; it is
annoying to parents who have duty
to perform. / 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 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 thatyonasa minor can
not marry without my consent, also
that / absolutely forbid any written
communication with Percy. have sent
a 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
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 thai
train to Wellby, where she would bs
joined by Percy, and they would con
tinue the journey to Scotland; for il
that country Percy owned female rel
alive. who would see them through tn,
formalities of North British mar
riage. Gretna Green up to date. be i
observed.
The day had been agreed upon, ant
on the fateful morning Grace, accom-
panied by an unobtrusive handbag ant
a pair of tremulous knees set on
through the park.
She had barely started before ST
Richard, with telegram in his hand
was ordering mounted man to tn
station to signal the $3.50, and demand
ing the immediate presence of hi
daughter, as important business Gale,
him unexpectedly to town.
Signal $3.50 up!" said the groom
without dismounting, and swervinI
around to return.
"Sir Richard don't think much m
memory" said old Bilksby, the static
master, to whom Grace had given tn
same order the night before.
Grace gained courage as the diI
lance between her and home increased
and when she emerged from the par
and was walking up the incline of til
gravel platform her step was firm an
steady. She asked for ticket for Wei
by without any sign of nervousness
but she almost dropped her purse whe
Mr.. Bliksby said:
May l give you Sir Richards, mis-
1t will save time.'
Her reply was drowned by shire
from the train, which drew up wit
grinding brakes. Mr.. Bliksby slid OF
second ticket, but Grace did not $,
it as she turned to the platform.
With gasp of dread she saw
Richards dogcart swing around q