Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-08-14

the old rascal howl when he hears how
we've done him!'
Harry seemed TO hesitate, however,
and 1t was not till MIR. Sheldon, eager
to see his old commercial rival put at
q disadvantage, had urged him again
and again. and promised to stand by
him, that he finally consented. and took
the check which his employer persisted
In forcing upon him.
The next morning Mr.. Sheldon came
down to breakfast in high glee, for
note had reached him just as be was
shaving, which ran as follows:
Dear Sir-I have. with much diff
Guilty, persuaded her to elope. 1t was
not, however. till | showed her your
check that she would consent to do SO.
She said that she WAS sure you would
not recommend anything that was
wrong; that you would advise her as
If you were her own father, and she
hopes you will stand by us. We shall
be married tomorrow. before Mr..
Meadows liz up. Very thankfully,
HARRY CONRAD"
The old gentleman brought the note
with him to the table. opened 1t out be-
fore him, adjusted his spectacles and
read II over and over again.
"Id give f10 note" he said chuck
ling, ito see the old fellows face when
he hears how Harry has done him"
1t was the custom of Mr.. Sheldon to
read his newspaper at breakfast, while
waiting for his only child and daugh-
ter. who. little spoiled by oyerlndul-
gence, was generally late.
But this morning Matty was later
than ever.
The banker had read all the foreign,
as well as the home news, and even
reperused Harry's note. and still she
had not made her appearance.
"The lazy pussF' he said at last Then
he looked up at the clock. Half an
hour latel Now. this is really too bad.
Johnl" he cried. addressing the man.
servant at the sideboard. send and
see why Miss Sheldon doesn't come
down Tell her." with a severe air. I'm
tired Of waiting"
John came back In about five min
utes, looking very much iustered.
IF you please. SIR" he stammered,
Miss Sheldon's not In her room. and
the maid says that the bed looks as II
1t hadn't been slept in all night"
The rich merchants jaw fell.
He started up, with cry of agony. to
go and see. But he was prevented by
the footman appearing at the door with
a telegram.
"a telegram cried the merchant,
unfolding 1t with his trembling hands.
'What can 1t mean? Has she been
found dead anywhere?'
This was the telegram:
"Dear Father-Harry and l were
married at o'clock this morning. l
would not consent to an elopement till
Harry assured me you had advised 1t,
and had shown me your check as proof.
He says you promised to stand by us,
and know you pride yourself on never
breaking promise. We wait for your
blessing. MATTY."
well, l never" calculated Mr.. Shell
don. when he had recovered breath.
1.-The impudent. disobe@"
But here he stopped-stopped, and
mopped his bald head. which. In his ex-
element, had broken out into great
drops Of perspiration. He remembered
that he had himself advised Harry to
elope. and that, If the story got wind.
he would be the laughing stock of the
town, including-hardest cut of all-Mr.
Meadows. He remembered. too, that
he had but one child. and that she was
all in all to him.
So he accepted the inevitable and tel
egraphed back;
"You may come home. and the sooner
the better. so as to keep the ESQ for pin
money. Tell Harry he's too sharp to
a clerk, and that l take him to-
day into partnership. Only he must
that partners never tell tales
out of school. God bless youl
III. SHELDON"
The runaways returned by the next
train. The marriage proved, too. an
happy one. The story never
got out We only tell 1t now In conf
Life.