New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
AN ASSISTED ELOPEMENT.
From The King.

Il 4
soften matters: There's so much competition
nowadays. Everybody wants 70 live
We'll. I've got to do It," said George, sadly.
Things have been going on badly?" 1 IN
quired.
They've gone. And there's the mater. you
know"
puffed at my cigar in silence
TITS come so suddenly" continued George Il
must do something. The mater can't manage
on little"
you must marry" I said, with decision.
Il hate that idea" said George, petulantIy.
But for the sake Of the mater?'
That's just il. I want to get work OF some
kind, which would mean-wel, Just rubbing
along. She wants me To marry old Hepburns
daughter whom I've never seen. He's a neigh
Dor OF ours. with a lot Of money made out OF
cheap boots, some thing"
Where is the laGy?"
con the Continent, undergoing a social sand
paperlng! She'll be home in few days now.
I he be. old man is awfuy keen on It. believe"
1T seems ali right" l observed cautiously
It's beastly," said George.
ANY priO~ attachment"
George blushed- OHe is quite youngJ
well o chap can't'-he began. Then he
stopped and left me uncertain as to the Hmita-
tiOns of a chan.
And the other lady?" I inquired takinz GER
tain facts for granted.
How could ask her nOw2'
hut hut you propose to ask Miss Hepburn
That's different. 1t would be an arranged
thing, you see. Old Hepburn has great ideas
for his daughter-and. Of course, we know lot
of people and go everywhere"
George sighed deeply, and. taking a nine fr0r1
his pocket, began to stuff it with tobacco. The
pipe was agSreSsively new and cheap. I watched
him sorrowfully. Then leaned forward and
touched the alTOcity.
"Is it as bad that?' I inquired.
Il can't afford cigars"
took out my case.
IF old friend might"-?
Thanks, no; you see, 1 can't return the com
pliment- Besides must get used TO this kind
For little time we smoked in silence Then
George said:
What do you advise. Hetherbridge? Do you
ink hat 7 eraf into
"a hundred year?' 1 exclaimed.
George shivered
"Or take a shop?' he said, with the air Of a
man neTved to some desperate deed.
i Pat my hand on his
Much better take Miss Hepburn" said.
1T would be awful
Not a bit. You couldn't get the other one.
anyhow-not into the shop" I said, following
Georges wandering thoughts.
Then what shall dO?'
/ attempted to put the case judeiaIly.
On the one hand are work and penury; on the
other hand wealth, and'-
Miss Hepburn There's a lot on my hands
just now, said George, wearily- What would
your-your people say about it? Your sister
would despise and hate me. I know"
Now. had my doubts as to whether my sis
ter would ever despise or hate Master George.
But contented myself with remarking airily:
"Oh. girls silly about these things"
George rose and began to walk up and down
II can't do it. I won't! She would hate mes
The other one?" 1 inquired
"Yes"
1 left my seat and Joined him. drawing his
arm through mine.
That would surely be for the best"
said Now YOU asked for my advice. I
say. marry Miss Hepburn. You're a drone
in the hive, that's the fault of your
early training. You'll make her good
husband. I know, and she'll be happy The
mater will be comfortable. and you'll settle down
and enjoy life, with plenty Of money to grease
the wheels"
George did not reply. but walked moodiIy at
my side
away now, as / want to eaten a train home TINS
afternoon. Come. don't look SO mournful; surely
drew paradise"
But George refused TO be cornf0rted.
You left out Eve" he said bitterly
The world looked very beautiful that after
noon as / walked from the little country station.
bright with flowers, 20 the old house perched on
the white chalk cliffs, where my ancestors had
dWet for many centuries / have always sup
posed that they came over with the COnQueror.
and, being tired with the voyage, built a house
where they landed and stopped there. 10 would
be just like a Hetherbridse-to be tired came
over the vast eNpa9Se of green by the path
which cut it with a thin white line. through the
old gray gates. and into the garden. There /
found my sister, Isabel She was looking out
over the sea, her book lying unnoticed in her
lap, and made pretty picture in a frame or
green found myself wondering what Miss
Hepburn was like. and my pity for George in
creased
ROusing her from her revere, proceeded to
tell my news.
Il saw George this morning" I said.
rs it as bad as-as-yCu thought asked isa-
bel anxiousIy
Worse: they have lost almost every thing.
Isabel said