The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-18
ELSIE EVANS sTEPM0THER.
The Story of an EIopement and
misunderstanding.

The Story of an EIopemcnt and
Misunderstanding.
Elsie Evans and Herbert Drew were rid
ing along the Mystic Boulevard one bright
July morning. This was an almost daily
occurrence with them, but to-day, instead
Of cantering gaily along the ponies, Bangs
and Dixie, were allowed to take their own
gait
They trotted along slowly, coming down
at last to walk in which they edged clos
err together and finally stopped altogether
under the Lone Pine Tree. This seemed
to suit their riders, so Bangs moved up
where he got the benefit of Dixie's tall
swishings and tapped his own little brush
impotently on the other side. Both wait
ed for orders.
us there nothing that will alter your
decision, Bert" the girl was saying.
mo, my dear, nothing" he answered,
you see, father is so opposed to the news
paper business. He believes oil that cheap
talk about prying reporters and he thinks
l can't be a gentleman in that life If
he would speak a word for me 1 might
get a good job in Boston, but he won't,
and, in fact, 1 think he kept me out OF
the last thing 1 tried for
:'Wen, Jack Leonard has found this
berth for me on a Denver paper and
have accepted and shall go. 1t will be
a long row TO hoe, for the pay is small.
hut / shall succeed at that and at moth
ing else. I'm a good reporter and the
training I shall get on a newspaper l
can get nowhere else. l shall write I.
book some time but it win be after I
have lived long enough, SO that it's ali
reporting-all about real people and
things"
Elsie only sighed at his enthusiasm.
Herbert" she went on, Il simply can't
let you go Life is so undressing since
father married again. They are not act
ua.ly unkind, but they don't care where
| go or what l do. I'm number three at
home. It's tiresome, Bert, aud / do love
you so. Oh, take me with you If you
must 60
My darling, wish 1 could. and 1 shall
come back for you just as soor as can.
But 1 actually must sell Bangs to get
money to buy my ticket"
Bangs ears went up al the sound of his
name. and Bert leaned over and scratched
the delicate ears.
Heard me. did you. old fellow? It's
crying shame to sell him at auction, Is
| must do it. l dout suppose I'll get haf
he's worth. He's all I've got that's my
very own except my watch and can't
very well get on Without that"
'
was a weary tone in her voice. She had
given up arguing with him, and was try
ing to learn the first page of u woman's
lesson, thai decisions were not her part
She must stand by and wait.
II suppose l shah so tomorrow night
To morrow morning I must arrange about
Bangs get him sold, If possible This
evening l must have a final interview with
father I'm not going to run away and
| don't mean 10 quarrel with him. To-
morrow will be more than full with pack
ing and last LITTLE things that must be
done. I'm afraid this must be good
bye for US, dearest. Don't grieve, little
b.gl. I'm going 10 succeed and come back
for you"
"I'H do my best. Bert, but. oh dear so
many things can happen and I've nothing
to do but wait"
They rode in silence alcng the boulevard
and then took the road leading to Elsie's
home. In a secluded spot they stopped and
| said good bye"
Elsie was too proud to make 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 Dixie be-
! came restless and, taking the law into her
own hands, walked out into the road.
AS her young mistress Strengthened up
and ar anged her habit Dixie ventured 70
single foot a few rods, and as Elsie fur
Their recovered and Dixie felt firm knee
against her shoulder she loped along cas-
| lily till they reached home.
The next morning Bangs was surprised
| to find his head turned toward Boston in
stead of towards the pleasant country
roads. He resented this change of pro-
gramme heartily and in a moment Of alb
| straction Herbert found himself going in
the opposite direction from what he in
tended.
"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 i'm
| town. So they ambled slowly along till
| they came once more to the Lone Pine
Tree There they stopped and Bert dis
mounted and began TO caress the pony
| and examine his POINTS critically
There isn't a pimple on him." he said
at length, Its a shame to let him so for
| less than two hundred"
Bangs took the petting Bert lavished On
him absently. His bright eyes were fixed
on the road ahead and at last he gave
| little snor, OF delight.
| Elsie had started out 10 take her usual
morning exercise with heavy heart ana
| hardly noticed where Dixie was taking
| her tn they clattered over the bridge at
| the Winchester end of the Mystic boule-
| ward.
"Oh Dixie" she cried. mot here to-
| day" And she refined her In sharply ana
turned her around. But Dixie had a mind
| OF her own and she wheeled again and
.started off down The boulevard. Elsie did