Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-08-30
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s 0UTFLANKlNG PAPA !

w said a thing. even in the heat of |
an exciting moment. he made a; point |
of holding 10 his WORDS. sometimes ~ !
the cost of considerable personal in
convenience. and therefore when his |
o.. y daughter Grace informed him of
The proposal which sh. had received
from lhnt inpecnnious young engi-
neer. Percy Doufell. and he angrily
insisted upon an instant cessation of
all communication be1wecn them, the
fond and devoted couple knew that
nothing short of an eiGi,emen- could
meet their needs. Indeed, so promptly
did action follow upon declaration that
when BouGed appeared in :l1c after
noon to make formal OTTER to Sir
Richard he was met by The chain-shot
'Not at home
There was stolen meeting down by
the lodgekeeper's cottage in the even
ing and pan of campo gu was ar
ranged.
Sir Richard watched his daughter
keenly as they sat at cinner. Mother
less girls have knack Of twisting un-
wary fathers round their little fingers.
gret at the prospect of losing his only
child. whose masterful ways had long
bored him exceedingly. he was quite
determined that his sorin-law should
be one of his own selection.
''rhe spirit of independence in chill
dren of to-day is not only wrong; it is
annoying to parents who have duty
to perform. l will make it my bust
ness to find some man Of breeding and
position--in fact. have one in my
mind at this moment-who Will speed
lily cause you to forget this schoolgirl
fancy for lad whose youth alone
made me look upon him as harmless
companion for YOU
"Oh. thank you. papa" said Grace,
with such an emphatic tone of graft
tude that Sir Richard looked up sus-
piciously.
"CnGerst and that YOU az a minor can
not marry without my consent. also
that l absolutely forbid any written
communication with Percy. have sent
letter explaining the position to his
father and note to him.
The exposure of the steel hand. limo
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise.
was the surest method of confirming
rebell:ous daughter in her defiance of
authority.
The little se-bowered wayside sta
ton of Berry was separated only by the
width of the park from the Flambor-
ough mansion. No main line train
ever stopped there unless signaled up
or down by the request of Sir Rich
ard. who was wont to impose upon the
courtesy of the company by creating
quite unnecessary delay when in the
mood to display his naughty disregard
OF ,imeta bles. The next stopping
pace on the way to London was Well
by junction.
The plan of the proposed elopement
was exceedingly simple.
Grace was to walk to Berry. through
the park. overnight, and ask. as if from
Sir Richard. to have the $3.50 "up" sig
nailed next morning. She was to leave
home unobserved and journey by that
train to Wellbv. where she would be
Joined by Percy, and they would con-
tinue the journey to Scotland; for in
that country Percy owned female rel
ative. Who would see them through the
formalities of North British mar
riage. Gretna Green up to Gate, be it
observed.
The day had been agreed upon, and
on the fateful morning Grace. accom-
panied by an unobtrusive handbag and
pair of tremulous knees, set out
through the park.
She had barely started before Sir
Richard. with Il telegram in his hand
was. ordering a mounted man to the
station to signal the $3.50. and demand
ing the immediate presence of his
daughter. as important business called
him unexpectedly % town.
signal $3.50 up" said the groom
without dismounting. and swervins
around to return.
Sir Richare: don't think much O. my
memory" said old Bilksby. the station
master. to whom Grace had given the
same order the night before.
Grace gained courage as the dis
tance between her and home increased
ullN NHSii SliS SillNl SSN IL olll t4lS pau r
and was walking up the incline of TIL,
gravel platform her step was firm ant
steady. She asked for a ticket for Well
by without any sign of nervousness
but she almost dropped her purse whe1
Mr.. Hliksby said:
MAY give YOU Sir Richards, miss
1t will save time
Her reply was crowned by a sh1-iel
from the train, which drew up Will
grinding brakes. Mr.. Blk Shy slid GU
a second ticket. but Grace did not Sc
it as she turned to the PLATFORM
With gasp of dread she saw 81
Richards dogcart swing around al
angle of the road, just as the guar
came forward civilly to open a car
rage door.
I'm your van. please, quickly" sh
said. looking straigh, into his eyes an
extending Il half sovereign.
Sir Richard strolled into the book
ing Office, saw, and pocketed, his tickle
said Back tonight" to Mr. Bliksb,
and walked down the platform. 70
lowed by a handsome Russian gre,