Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-01-05
AN EL0PEMENT,
BY Earl Leo Brownson.

When | was coming haU1e from New
York, after the Dewey celebration, l
CHANGED to run across my old tllend,
Rob Warrington, on the tain.
Rob and | had been great chums in
earlier days, in quiet Vermont town
whore We We're boys together till J
moved TO ano hey part OF the country
aud | had not seen him since.
"'lIello, Lyman! said he. as was
passing him by Unnoticed. have You
forgotten an ola friend" "
Not much, SAID t. as | shook his
outstretchCd hand with unfeigned de-
light. I'm glad to see you ROD.
Sir down there. said he, removing
his yalise to make room for me beside
him, and lets have little chat about
old times.
Agreed" said |. 1T seems an age
since I've seen you. Where have you
kept yourself. and what have you been
doing since | went &way?"
Oh, | have been in the store most
of he time-father has turned the bus
inese over to 'ue now-and occasionally
I've been to he city to buy goods, and
that about all. only"
Only what, said /, eager to know
what | believed. by his smile, was out
OF the business routine.
Only I've got married.
oh" said |. that's something in
deed; but before l congratulate you
YOU must tell me all about it, and why
you've never let me know of il before:
and why you didn't have me for your
beet man." continued | in "A re-
proachtul ZONE.
u didn't know where you were. so
l couldn't let you know--and. as for
best MAXWELL. I'll let you judge VINO
was the best man after you hear my
story"
oh, there's a story is there" said
/, my curiosity aroused.
"'Yes, said he It's a romantic
little story, too; but dom mind tell
ing il 70 you-an old friend.
I'm all attention. said /, eager for
him to begin
Well. I will begin by telling YOU
that my wife is or rather. was Flora
Campbell. You know her father and
mine were rival merchants. some
how there was always III Will between
them. most OF it on Mr.. Campbell s
side of the fence. | never could find
out just what it was all about, but,
from occasional words ia her and
mother let drop. | gathered that Camp
bell had been an unsuccessful sutton
for nv mothers hand in days gone by
and shouldn't wonder if that's
W. he matter win Campbell.
And father-wel,-he don't like Camp
bells sty,e-that's all / can make out
OF it.
Campbell extended his dislike 10 me
when ! grew up-espe cially when he
found I was paying attention 10 his
daughter she didn't hare in his dis
like for me. however and. in spite Of
his dieapproval. We managed TO see
each her very often, even after he
hal forbidden her 70 have anything TO
do with rae whatever
Tie vas fool enough TO think he had
settled cncc and for all the affair be-
tw.cn me and his daughter. when, one
uqonlich. evening as Flo.a and
We qui.,ly st~olling along the coun-
tn road rs lovers will enjoying our
stolen happiDess-wc met him face to
fac
The surprise was mutual and we
stood staring at each other in silence.
He had Seen out To a neighboring
farm on business and was just return
ins home.
Good evening. Mr. Campbell, said
I a last at a loss wha else to say.
1T WAS enough TO break the spell
and loosen the cords of his wrath.
You thief,--you ba'guard! roared
he how dare YOU speak to me sneak
ire around after my daughter after !
have forbidden her 10 speak to you
and he began abusing me in manner
tina won't bear repeating. and wound
up by taking hie daughter fiercely by
the arm and leading her off home.
"Of course | didn't interfere-but
made a VOW then and there, that 1
would win his daughter. whatever OBJ
s.aclc- he might put in my way"
"'AlI IS fair in love and war" said
/. I suppose you resorted to STRAIT
ecyo'
Well, yes. it developed into game
Of strategy. and a lively one, too,
laughed Rob.
THE next day was Thanksgiving
and | was az liberty as the store was
clio ed. In the morning | got notel
from Flora full Of regret for the scene
OF the night before and telling me that
che would be out on her wheel that az
tcrnoon and would like 10 have me
ioin her. Nothing could have pleased
me better. So after dinner | went to
ny room. and from the window | saw
Fora mount her wheel and start slow,
~ down the street. ! was not long In
morrtinc my own wheel and following
in her rack As passed Campbell's
p zee I saw him standing in the door
watching me
vi chiefs up now thought 1, for
No couldn't help seeing through our
little game: but | pursued my course
ard soon overlook Flora.
II was afraid you wouldn't come.
sid she after What happened last
n.sst was frightened nearly out Of
M its
"'Oh. Il would take a great deal
moe than that to keep me away said
49, inofod ito her eyedphat were
leoring with pleasure at in meet
u. ue. and was no less PIE than
.I ar. .Ja1 yo1 arc not an yry at me
80 wv falhsr actai laSi RAk2k--