The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-01-11
An Interrupted Elopement

through the gateway. 1t was cloudy
evening. and her movements we're hidden
by the shadows. She walked to the near
est street corner and was Immediately
as they passed along.
Ibid l keep you waiting long, Fred?"
she asked. 1T seemed quite impossible
to get away without being Observed
mo" said the young man, the waiting
was nothing. But why is it necessary that
you should resort to all this - he was
going to say nonsense but wisely
checked himself; this mystery"
1t is necessary. l tell you. Fred.
can't receive you at home. and there 10 no
other way. l have told you many times
that my father would never consent to
give you my hand. 1t might be different
il mother were alive. but now 1t Is moro
than likely that father would forbid you
the house.
That isn't possible" said the young
man. Il am the son of his Oldest friend
He has ever professed a regard for mo-
Surely there is nothing in my conduct that
could prejudice him. l am poor, but my
prospects are excellent. and"
Il 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
sr.But. really, Elsie. l don't like this sort
.of thing. 1t seems-'
IL She drew her hand from his arm.
=. Don't like it," she echoed.
= 'Of course like it," he quickly assert
i ed. AT least I like you,which is a great
- deal more to the point
70 The girl took his arm again
q Let me tell you. Fred. dear" she softly
said. that if it wasn't for this very sort
OF thing. this secrecy, the opposition Of
my father. the romance Of 1t all. that very
likely shouldn't love you half as much
The more papa sights you the more de-
termined l am to be yours. Funny, isn't
it,"
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 a 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 a sentimental
farce" he murmured. land yet l must
play my part through to the drop of the
curtain. l can't imperil my happiness
now after waiting for it since boyhood.
think she loved me all the time. but it has
taken very ingenious scheme to bring
her to a realizing sense Of my attractions
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 opposition
OF her father to him was becoming more
and more marked.
why, Fred she cried one evening
papa said he believed you were a mer-
cenary youth. and that you had a deceitful
face Why. 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
anyone but you! But l didn't"
That WISE said Fred. 1T isn't
quite time for that.
There was a moments silence.
Il 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.
Its the very thing l was about to sug-
gest." he quickly said. What night do
you prefer?"
You dear boy cried Elsie affection
ately, patting his arm: there is some ro-
nance in you after all"
Thank you,'' said Fred stolidly; what
night?"
Il want to wear my lovely new travelling
suit. said Elsie, and it will not be An
ished until Thursday Then I must go
down to the Friday bargain sales and get
a few things that l need"
Not rope LADDER" laughed Fred.
No. said Elsie with an echoing gurgle
Fancy bargain sale with an advertise
ment something like this: "A full and
choice line of rope ladders for elopement
uses. Come early, before the stock is
picked over. Only one rope ladder will be
sold to each customer Hows that?'
Very amusing" said the young man:
'but you haven't decided on the eventful
day
We'll, supposing we say week from
next Thursday
That suits me- replied the young man.
.. What are your plans?"
Il have them laid out" replied the young
girl eagerly. MY new street suit will be
finished Wednesday. It's the loveliest thing
you ever laid eyes Madam Summerson
never gave me such fit before"
I'm afraid we'll soon have to give up
Nine. Summerson, said the young man
gravely.
do you really think SO, DEAR"
Yes, love. Marrying a poor, but hon
est young architect is a pretty sure cure
for the fits you mention. OF course we
can't count for certain on your fathers
forgiveness
"Oh. yes, We can. He'll welcome US back.
with open arms
I'm pretty sure we won't deserve it.
But go on.
We'll, I'll put on my new dress and 70
over to Name Holidays in the afternoon.
I'll manage to smuggle over lot of things
in paper parcel and you must come I'D
with new travelling bag and we'll pack
them all in that Then you can order the
carriage to call for US at o'clock and
we'll take the train over to Cragsville
and he married there"
And you prefer this way to being mar
ried comfortably at homer
Don't talk nonsense. dear. You know
couldn't be married comfortably at home
n least not to you-unless you disguised
yourself and married me under an assumed
name. Wouldn't that be romantic?"
"One romance at a time, DEAR
The days passed rapidly, especially the
ever rememberedThursday.
1t was not a pleasant day. The sky was