The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-24
AN INTERRUPTED g
ELOPEMENT.

900. Tho Bride Wanted Romance. 3
%.:sa She Found a Romance, but &
$4,000 Not the Kind Of One Z
&&.@$3%. She Looked For.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A young woman came very quietly
from the side door Of the handsome house
and stepped softly down the stone walk
and through the gateway. 1t was a
cloudy evening, and her movements were
hidden by the shadows. She walked to
the nearest street corner and was imme-
diately Joined by a young man whose
arm she took as they passed along.
"Did l keep you waiting long, Fred?'
she asked. 1T seemed quite impossible
to get away without being observed"
mo-" said the young man; "the wait
ing was nothing. But why is it neces-
sary that you should resort to all this
he was going to say nonsense" but
wisely checked himself-"this mystery"
ut is necessary, I tell you, Fred. I
can't receive you at home, and there Is
no other way. l have told you many
times that my father would never con-
sent to give you my hand. 1t might be
different If mother were alive, but now it
Is more than likely that father would for
bid you the house."
THAT isn't possible" said the young
man. II am the son Of his oldest friend.
He has ever professed a regard for me.
Surely there is nothing in my conduct
that could prejudice him. nm poor, but
my prospects are excellent, and
II tell you, Fred, he intends me for
higher game. No struggling architect is
good enough for his daughter. But he
shall not tear us apart"
"Of course not" said Fred hastily.
"But, really, Elsie, don't like this sort
of thing. 1t seems
/ She drew her hand from his arm.
Don't like it," she echoed.
"Of course like it." he quickly assert
ed. "At least like you, which is great
deal more to the point"
The girl took his arm again.
"Let me tell you, Fred, dear" she soft
ly said, that il it wasn't for this very
sort of thing, this secrecy, the opposition
Of my father, the romance of it all,
very likely 1 shouldn't love you half as
much. The more papa sights you the
more determined am to be yours. Fun
ny. isn't itT
delightfully."- funny" said the young
man, and then they switched away from
the subject and pursued their secret half
hour stroll.
When they returned to the handsome
home, the young woman, after tender
though brief parting with the young man,
re-entered the side door with most elab-
crate effort to be both cautious and noise
less.
The young man walked away softly
chuckling.
"This does seem like such sentimental
farce" he murmured, "and yet / must
play my part through to the drop Of the
curtain. can't imperil my happiness
now after waiting for it since boyhood.
l think she loved me all the time, but it
has taken a very ingenious scheme to
bring her to realizing sense of my at
fractions and general wOrthiness. Dear
little bundle of romance! Well, l mustn't
forget to take precious good care that
some romance is introduced and retained
in our married life"
The secret meetings were continued,
and Elsie assured her lover that the OPP
position of her father to him was bccom-
ing more and more marked.
"Why, Fred" she cried one evening,
papa said he believed you were n mer-
cenary youth and that you had deceit
full face. Why, l felt like rising right up
and defending you before all the world
and then telling papa that though he
threw me into prison l would never,
never, never wed any one but you! But
didn't"
"That was WISE" said Fred. ut isn't
quite time for that"
There was moments silence.
II tell you what it Is, Fred" said the
young girl with little catching in her
throat "the only thing for US to do is to
elope."
Fred was not startled.
"It's the very thing I was about to
suggest" he quickly said. "What night
do you PREFER"
"You dear boy!' cried Elsie affection
ately patting his arm. "rhere is some
in you after ALL"
THANK you," said Fred stolidly.
wi nat nlght!
II want TO wear my lovely new travel
Ing suit" said Elsie, land it will not be
finished until Thursday. Then must
90 down to the Friday bargain sales and
get q few things that need"
mot rope ladder" laughed Fred.
NO." said Elsie, with an echoing CUR
gle. Fancy a bargain sale with an ad-
vertisement something like this: "A full
and choice line Of rope ladders for elope-
ment uses. Come early, before the stock
Is picked over. Only one rope ladder
will be sold to each customer How's
that"
Every amusing" said the young man.
But you haven't decided on the event
tul day."
"Well, suppose we say week from
next Thursday"
That suits me-" replied the young
man. "What are your plans?"
81 have them laid out" replied the
young girl eagerly. "My new street suit
will be finished Wednesday. It's the
|ovcliest thing you ever laid eyes on.
Nine. Summerson never gave me such
1T before"
"I'm afraid we'll soon have to give up
Nine. Summerson," said the young man
gravely.
do you really think so, dear"
Eyes, love. Marrying poor but hon