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

There's another detective waiting on the
platform -
well, what of it?''
Nothing save that we can't leave town
by rail for Craigsville until tomorrow morn
ing
Then what will we do? / left them a
note, you know, and of course l can't go
back"
Elsies robe of romance was fraying a
little at the edges. She looked out of the
carriage window at the damp and chilly
night and shuddered.
Il know Of an eminently respectable home
where you can remain tonight" said Fred,
"and / will 90 to a hotel''
Take me to the house. Fred
The young man gave the driver the name
Of the street and the number in a low tone
and then rejoined Elsie on the rear seat
Of the closed carriage.
1t seemed like a long and confused drive.
The night was very dark and the rain fell
steadily. Elsie leaned back in the carriage
and answered Fred's remarks in mono
syllables. The flower Of romance was drop
ping sadly amid these dscouraging sur
roundings.
Fred" she suddenly said, I'm afraid
1t wasn't right to treat papa in this way
Its little late to look at it in that
light now" said Fred.
Then the carriage stopped.
Wrap the veil closely around your face
and take my arm" said Fred as she fol-
lowed him from the carriage.
They hurried up the steps, the door was
opened for them, they stepped into the
brilliantly lighted hall. and there, holding
out both hands. was Elsies father
my dear children" he cried, you are
just in time And, he clasped Fred's hand
and kissed Elsie.
Before she could ask what 1t all meant
her wraps were whisked away by a maid
and she was led into the parlor. She no
ticed in bewildered way that there were
many flowers about the handsome room,
and that it looked unusually attractive.
Then she found herself standing, still by
the side of Fred, before a kindly faced
man, who almost before she realized what
was happening had pronounced them man
and wife.
Fred kissed her. and her father kissed
her. but she said never a word.
And when the kindly faced man, plead
ing another engagement, had hurried away,
her father came and sat by her and said
well, my dear child, this was romantic
enough, wasn't it,?
The tears welled up in Elses eyes and
she cried:
Father. l have been very undutiful.''
The old man took her into his arms.
Here, here" he cried, this will never
do. Tears on your wedding day, File, fle!
Everything is all right now. my dear. Here
you are with a doting father and the best
young husband in all the land
But l thought you were so opposed to
him.
Never. He's the young man of all
others whom 1 should have picked for you.
This isn't news for Fred
Elsie looked at her smiling husband.
II think you two plotters.' she slowly
said "have made a ridiculous goose of
me-"
I'VE only plotted to let you have your
own way. said Fred. You surely can't
object to that
There, there, said the old man, "by-
cones are bygones. Fhis is certainly better
than being married in the stuffy front
room of some country parsons home, with
your deserted daddy worrying about you
so miles away. Now you'll stay here to-
night and in the morning start on the
little wedding journey that Fred and
have planned for you. 1t is to last four
weeks and to take in all the big Eastern
cities, and I don't believe you will lose
anything my love, in choosing my tour
in preference to the one over the romance
route. In this envelope, Fred, are all the
necessary documents, and here, dear, is
gift from your happy old dad which may
add little spice to the parental bless
ing And he handed her slip of paper
Her eyes grew large at sight of the fig
ures on the check, but before she could
express her gratitude he hastily interrupted
her.
Eyes, yes" he said. ITS all right, my
dear. I fully understand what you want to
say But come, there's an appetizing little
supper awaiting us In the dining room and
I am getting anxious to offer toast to the
blushing bride, and another to to ro-
nance! Come. my children.
And he led the way.-Cleveland Plain
Dealer