The St. Johns herald., 1901-12-28
AN UNNECESSARY
 ELOPEMENT.

 1 just opposite the island. The Island lay
 scant two miles out to sea from the
 beach; from the boat landing in the city
 it was over five miles.
 He hired a dory and rowed over to
 the island. There he was fortunate
 enough to make satisfactory arrange
 ments with the farmer. When he re
 turned he had the key to little red
 cottage that sat on a high bluff over
 looking both bay and harbor. With the
 key in his pocket he felt the battle
 more than half won. He did not sleep
 we'll that night, and the next morning he was uneasy.
 He was early at the bank and held a long conference with the president in the little private office. AS a result he
 was given leave of absences for one
 week, which was to take the place of the first week of his regular summer
 vacation.
 Burns was delighted. He had not
 thought to make so satisfactory an ar
 engagement and had feared he might be
 obliged to resign his position. Surely the course of true love was going to run smoothly for once.
 As soon as banking hours were over he hurried to see Helen and tell her that all was in readiness. Helen came down to the parlor to greet him, and he saw at once that something had hap pened. She had been crying and looked very pale. She handed him telegram and he read:
 Can't start sooner. Expect me Sun day. Leave that night.
 WILLIAM ADAMS.
 Burns looked at her and then at the telegram.
 "Never mind, little girl, if that is all, we can go just as we'll tonight. Every thing Is ready and have the key to our future home, at least what will be our home for week, and he took from bis pocket very rusty key. Then they sat down and he told her all about the little cottage and the island. Every thing would come out all right, he said.
 It was nearly o'clock when Helen Adams went up to her room to dress for her wedding. Burns waited for her down in the parlor and it seemed a long time to him before she came back. When she did come he felt very proud of her. From the trim little shoes on her feet to the forget-me-nots on her hat she made picture that one would turn twice to look at
 AS she sat opposite Burns in the res taurant where they had their supper Burns thought she had never been more beautiful; she was a trifie pale, but he had never seen her look so well before. After supper they went to an up town parsonage and were married, the min- lsters wife and daughter acting as witnesses.
 In the meantime an expressman had | taken Helen's trunk to Burns boarding house, and from there had carried 1t with the things he had in readiness down to the boat landing. Burns had always allowed himself the luxury of a sailing dory for excursions down the larbor, and now it was very useful.
 From the wedding they went down own and spent the early part of the evening at the theater. It was neces- ;ary to put in a good deal of time. for hey could not start for the island until he tide served, which would be nearly midnight.
 When the tide began to ebb they would go down to the landing and start or the island. If the wind were favor Lble they would reach 1t and get their hings up to the island before break ast. It was balmy June night, and Burns found that trip to the island one f the greatest pleasures of his life. It vas so wholly different from anything hey had thought of in connection with heir wedding. The slowing away of their things at he cottage with Helen, his wife Helen, esting comfortably on a couch in the orner of the sittingroom telling him where to put things. This was better han anything he had dreamed of, and hey practically had a little world all 9 themselves.
 With dainty lunch which Helen had f rOught and a cup of steaming coffee, r hey made grand wedding breakfast. unday was such beautiful summer 6 ay, and Helen was so delighted with q le island! ; The week passed all too quickly, and ] aturday morning came again. With
 came letter for Mrs. Allan Burns Thich the farmer had brought up from own, having called for Burns mail. It y as in her fathers handwriting, and c le opened 1t with trembling hands. hey read the letter together: p Dear Helen-I came for you Sunday as you I would, and your land dy told me that you had gone away. he did not know where. waited until W is morning (Monday), thinking you fight turn up, but in glancing over the - lper I was surprised to learn of your arriage on Saturday. Accept my best es ishes. I take this opportunity to tell .r ,u of my wedding, which takes place on y return from the West. 1 had thought
 break the news to you on the journey and thought to give you lit- ? vacation trip before I presented you ,o your new mamma. 'e l am glad for you that you are happily arried, as 1 suppose you are, and know 10 shall receive your congratulations upon y marriage with Miss Hamilton, our friend and neighbor.
 was surprised that you did not inform ei of your matrimonial intention, but as ol fo,. AL.