The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-06
Elsie Evans Siepmother.

| Elsie Evans and Herbert Drew were
] riding along the Mystic Boulevard one
bright July morning. This was an al
Y most daily occurrence with them. but
today, instead OF cantering gaily along.
the ponies. Bangs and Dixie. We're al
lowed 10 take their own gait until they
stopped under the Lone Pine Tree.
lis there nothing that win alter your
decision, Bert?" said the girl.
NO, my dear. nothing" he answered,
you see. father is so opposed to the
newspaper business. He thinks ] can't
be gentleman in that life. III he would
speak a word for me might get a good
job in Boston, but he won't.
Well Jack Leonard has found this
berth for me on Denver paper and
1 nave accepted and shall go. IL viii
! DE n long row 10 hoe, for the pay is
small, but l shat succeed at that or
nothing else. I'm good reporter, and
the training / shall get on newspaper
1 can get nowhere else. l shall wIdte a
book some time, but IL will be after l
have lived long enough. SO that it's all
reporting-all about real people and
things"
Elsie only sighed at his enthusiasm.
HERBERT she went on, II simply can't
~ Sou ~. Lie IL SO unlntefestlns Slice
rather married again. They are not ac-
tually unkind. but they don't care
where so or what l do. oh, take me
with you IL you must go!"
My darling. 1 wish l could, and
shall come back for you just as soon az
l can. But / actually must sell Bangs
To get money 10 buy my ticket. He's
All I've got that's my very own except
my watch"
When do you go?" asked Elsie
Il suppose / shall go tomorrow night.
tomorrow morning I must arrange
about Bangs, get him sold. IL possible.
This evening must have a final inter-
view with father. I'm not going 10 run
away and don't mean TO quarrel with
him. Tomorrow will be more than full
with packing and last little things that
must be done. I'm afraid this must be
good-by' for us. dearest"
Elsie was too proud 10 make a scene
and she waved quite bravely To Bert as
he rode away, but as soon as he was
out OF sight her head went down on
the pony's neck and she sobbed till Dix
ie became restless. and taking the law
into her own hands, walked out into
the road.
The next morning Bangs was sur
prsed TO find his head turned toward
Boston Instead of toward tie pleasant
country road. He resented this change
of program heartily and in moment
OF abstraction Herbert found himself
going In, the opposite direction from
what he intended.
You want one more canter through
the boulevard old fellow?" he said.
Well, all right. only you must not get
too heated or you won't look well when
i get you in town. so they ambled slow
ly along till they came once more 10
the Lone Pine Tree.
last Hangs gave "A little SNORT NJ
delight.
Elsie had started out to take her usu-
al morning exercise with heavy heart
and hardly noticed where Dixie was
taking her till they clattered over the
bridge at the Winchester end Of the
Mystic Boulevard.
The ponies and their riders greeted
each other warmly. II never supposed
you would be here today" said Elsie.
but az we have met by accident you
must tell me how you have got along
so far"
We'll I told father last night and he
simply said: I'm disappointed in you.
my son, but as you are headstrong I
must let you go your own way. You
must not expect me to help YOU Then
! told him of our engagement and he
sneered right out and said: Why don't
you elope with her and take her along
since your hopes are so highY
Herbert stood looking down deScted-
ly. Finally Elsie said shyly: Why
don't you, Bert?"
He came close 10 her and read her
eyes in silence and the temptation be-
came too strong and he yielded. II be-
leve you mean 1T, and If you do I'm
going 10 take you with me. though /
won't elope. l won't steal you away as
though we were ashamed. How can /
though. unless Bangs brings more than
/ think he will?'
Dixie is my own, too?" Elsie ven-
tured timidly, why not sell her? And
as for stealing away with me, no one
cares where l go or would bother to
come and see us married except my
chum. Nellie Grant"
Bert agreed TO take both horses TO
town, make all arrangements and meet
Elsie and Nellie at o'clock.
Then they rode TO Elsie's home and
she told the groom who came out TO
meet her that Mr.. Drew was going to
take Dixie over to Nellie Grants for
her 10 ride this afternoon" Miss Grants
horse Is lame," she finished glibly.
Elsie ran up stairs with a careless
good by" and Bert rode away lead
ing Dixie.
Elsie changed her riding habit for a
tailor-made gown, filled a small hand
bag and rang for maid.
Il don't want to go down to lunch
con. Bring me up something. and ask
Porter If they say anything about my
absence at the table" When the girl
came up for the dishes she brought the
report that master had saAd: rs Elsie
out to lunch"'' and mistress had said:
II suppose she is at Nellies.'
Much they care where l am" NUT
tered the girl. Then she penned the
following bitter note:
Dear Father-I was not at Nellie
at lunch time. but as you seem 10 care
so little where ] lunch, ! think I will
lunch tomorrow on the Chicago limited.
In fact. I am going 10 be married to-
night 10 Herbert Drew. / am not elop-
ing with him. as his father knows we
are to be married. We have sold our
ponies, and Herbert has a good position
i'm Denver, so you need not trouble
yourself even TO provide an allowance
for me hereafter. / know IL will be a
relief to you to have me out OF the way
and provided for. Elsie"
Nellie was younger and more indis-
Greet than Elsie. and she entered very
readily into her plans. and the two ac-
cordingly met Bert at the appointed
time and place. Bert was radiantly
bannv He had obtained an advance of