The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-09-20
) OUTFLANKING PAPA


the cost of considerable personal in
only daughter Grace informed him of
the proposal which she had received
from that impecunious young engi-
neer, Percy Boufield. and he angrily
insisted upon an instant cessation of
all communication between them, the
fond and devoted couple knew that
nothing short of an elopement could
meet their needs. Indeed, so promptly
did action follow upon declaration that
when Boufield appeared in :he after
noon to make a formal offer to Sir
Richard he was met by the chainshot:
Not at home"
There was a stolen meeting down by
the lodgekeeper's cottage in the even
ing and plan of campaign was ar
ranged.
Sir Richard watched his daughter
keenly as they sat at dinner. Mother
less girls have a knack Of twisting IN
wary fathers round their little fingers,
and, although he felt no particular re-
greet 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.
THE 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 viii speed
lily cause you to forget this schoolgirl
fancy for a 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.
understand thatyouas 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 a note to him.
The exposure of the steel hand, inno-
cent of any glove, velvet or otherwise,
was the surest method of confirming
a rebellious daughter in her defiance of
authority.
The little rose-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 timetables. 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 Wellby, where she would be
Joined by Percy, and they would con-
tinue the journey to Scotland; for in
that country Percy owned a female rel
ative, who would see them through the
formalities of a North British mar
rlage. Gretna Green up to date, 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 a telegram in his hand
was ordering a mounted man to the
station to signal the $780, and demand
ing the immediate presence of his
daughter, as important business called
him Unexpectedly to town.
Signal $50 up!" said the groom.
without dismounting, and swerving
around to return.
"Sir Richard 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
lance between her and home increased,
and when she emerged from the park
and was walking up the incline of the
gravel platform her step was firm and
steady. She asked for ticket for Well
by without any sign of nervousness,
but she almost dropped her purse when
Mr.. Bliksby said:
MAY 1 give you Sir Richards, miss /?
1t will save time
Her reply was crowned by a shrek
from the train, which drew up with
grinding brakes. Mr.. Bliksby slid out
a second ticket, but Grace did not see
it as she turned to the platform.
With a gasp of dread she saw Sir
Richards dogcart swing around an
angle of the road, just as the guard
came forward civilly to open a car
rage door.
I'm your van, please, quickly" she
said, looking straight into his eyes and
extending a half sovereign.
Sir Richard strolled into the book
ing office, saw, and pocketed, his ticket,
said Back tonight" to Mr.. Bliksby,
and walked down the platform, fol-
lowed by a handsome Russian grey
hound.
''Here, guard" he said, 81 can't take
this dog in the carriage. He bites