The Afro-American advance., 1900-09-01
soouoopopoooooouuppopo
OUTFLANKING PAPA
kpppoc ocpoppp ooppop opptepQpp

IVA len OH AAtAhA1 r
wv said q thing, even In the heat oi
AN exciting moment, he made a. point
Of holding to his words. sometimes II
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 Bouheld, and he npgrily
insisted upon an instant cessation oi
oil 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 Boufield appeared Ia ;he after.
noon to make formal offer 10 Sir
Richard he was met by the ehnin-Ehoti
mot at home"
There was stolen meeting down by
the lodRekeeper's cottage in the even
ing and plan Of campaign was ar
ranged.
Sir Richard watched HIS daughter
keenly as they sat az dinner. Mother
css girls have a knack ~ twisting un-
wary fathers round heir little singers,
and, although he felt no particular re.
Rret at the prospect Of losing his only
child, whose masterful ways had long
bored him exceedingly, he was quite
determined that his son-in-law should
be one of his own selection.
"fhe spirit Of independence In chill.
dren Of to-day Is not only wrongl II IL
annoying to parents who have a duty
10 perform. | will make Il my busl-
ness TO find some man Of breeding and
position in fact. | have one In my
mind at this moment--w win speed
lily canse 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 Rrati-
tude that Sir Richard looked up suA-
piclously.
Understand tbatyouas a minor can
not marry without my consent. also
that absolutely forbid any written
communication with Percy. I have sent
letter explaining the position to his
father and note 10 him"
The exposure Of the steel hand, inno-
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise
was the sureSt method Of confirming
a rebellious daughter ln her defiance OF
authority.
The little rose.bowered waysldc sta
tlon OF Berry was separated only by the
eEtIfh fsf 4hA els ~. l...n
ough mansion. No main line train
ever stopped there unless slgnaled ur
or down by the request OF Sir Rich
ard. who was won't 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 elopemcnt
was exceedingly simple,
Grace was to walk 10 Kerry, through
the park, overnight. and ask, as II from
Sir Richard. 10 have the DIa0 "up" sig
nailed next morning she was 10 leave
home unobseryed and journey by that
train to Wellby, where she would b,
Joined by Percy, and they would con
tinue the journey to Scotland; for IN
that country Perry owned female rel
ative, who would see them through th,
formalitics Of North British mar
riage. Gretna Green up TO date. be Il
observed.
The day had been agreed upon. and
on the fateful morning Grace. accom-
panied by an unobtrusiso handbag ant
pair OF tremulous knees set oul
through the park.
She had barely started before Sil
Richard. with telegram In his hand
was ordering a mounted man to th'
station TO signal the 1880. and demand
ing the immediate presence OF hi
daughter. as important business calle,
him Unexpectedly to town.
"Signal $3.50 upl" said the groom
without dismounting. aud sweryin,
around TO return.
"Sir Richard don't think much o. M,
memory" said old Bilkshy, the station
master. TO whom Grace had given tn,
same order the night before.
Grace gained courage as the dis
tance between her and home Increased
and when she emerged from the parl
aud was walking uP the incline of th
gravel platform her step Was firm ani
steady. She asked for ticket for Well
by without any sign OF nervousness
but she almost dropped her purse whel
Mr. HatkkAx satdt
"May | give YOU Sir Richards :. miss
II will save time
Her reply was crowned by . shriel
from the train. which drew up Wit
grinding brakes. Mr.. Bllksby aid ou
a second ticket. but Grace did not 80
Il a. she turned TO the platform.
With = gasp Of dread she saw 81
Richards dogeart swing around Al
angle Of the road, just a. the guar
came forward civslly TO open car
rIagc door.
"in your van. please. quickly" sh
said. looking straight into his eyes an
extending a half sosereign.
Sir Richard strelled into the book
ing office. saw. and pocke,ed. his tieksl
said ~isack tonight 10 Mr.. Bliksh,
and walked down the platform. 10