The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-26
How should 7 know %

But you do2"
sWen-weIl-I shouldn't wonder"
Then why didn't he ask me.lnstead Of
that ugly, specialized thing p
I think there were many reasons IN
one case he gives social position for
money. The whole affair IS a business
transaction. With you it is different
He does not know you care for him
YOU are a little contrary at times. sister
1nine-and # you did. he is too honorable
to drag you to poverty
But my money
Gle does not know of its existence.
And he has to think of his mother.
Isabel made a most unkind remark
about Georges mother, and tore herself
away from me
AS the summer days slipped away I
became very anxious about my sister.
She implored me to have no visitors
and I was at my wits end to know how
to rouse her and bring back the old.
merry laugh and saucy speech Then
came another letter from George giving
an early date for the marriage. broke
the news TO Isabel
a nasty pill is best swallowed quick
ly,'' I remarked.
And you must take honey afterward
to get rid OF the taste she replied bill
terly and went out Of the house again
to her seat overlooking the sea-
About a week before the wedding, at
my mothers invitation, George and his
hancee came to visit US They We're to
stay one night and return to town early
the following morning. Isabel refused
to meet them, and fed to a neighboring
aunt The moon was shining brilliantly
as George and I walked along the cliff,
smoking a last cigar before gong to
bed. 1T was the hour when men wax
confidential, and George told me all his
sorrows
'.OId Hepburn insists on it. It ap-
pears that Mary got flirting with some
foreign chap broad, q music master,
and the old man wants her married and
safe from him. It's q. queer case The
fellow is hanging about London. and
Mary has been kept almost a prisoner
in the house. She's out on bail nov,
and I'm surety for-what's that, Heth-
erbridge2"
George caught my arm, and pointed
along the cliff looked, and the moon
light showed me two figures, man and
a woman, walking quickly away from
seThey came from the house." said
George excitedly.
zone Of the servants and her lover,
I said IT'S rather late. but this moon
gets into their heads
"It'S-it's Nary gasped George
sEloping with the music master2'
inquired
Most likely. Did you ever know such
1uck2" exclaimed George.
Then he extended his arms dramat-
ically, making a strange figure silhou-
cited against the brilliant sky, and
cried.
@oh. my darling-my darIingl Go
away from me-go. Hulloa. They've
They had vanished as though the
earfh had swallowed them.
They've gone down the tunnel to the
beach," I explained
George began to run.
you won't stop thernr' I cried.
I'm going to see where they go, and
help" he replied over his shoulder.
Together we scrambled down the steep
incline, IN such complete darkness that
I could scarcely see my companion.
Only occasionally heard his voice The
ground was rough, and ne was wearing
thin slippers. Once on the sands we
saw our fugitives again. The man was
launching a small boat We saw Mary
assisted in, but before her COMPANION
could follow George (who was simmer
than y was by his side. The man
turned and the moonlight cleaned on
a revolver. I ran painting over the wet
sands. There was a French oath-a
scream from the boat-and then the
quiet tones of Georges voice.
Put down that pistol Get in, manr'
I heard him say.
The man stood irresolute.
You shall not take her baek!' he
cried.
Great sScott-not for the world" said
George. I'm here to help
Then suddenly he seized the hand that
held the pistol, jerked it upward and
with a dexterous push tumbled the man
backward into the boat. his legs hang
ing feebly over the gunWale- Before he
could rise. George himself, with a
mighty effort. had sent his fancee and
her abductor out on to the sea Willing
hands make light work
We stood on the beach in silence.
watching the man get out pair of
SOULS and pull toward a large yaAvl that
lay motionless a little way from the
shore. They had almost reached it be
fore George spoke.
'sShe's gone of her own free will
seel" he cried, pointing to the retreating
boat Il would have kept my word, but
well, this settles the matter Hether-
bridge, old chap, I feel like a man who
has Just escaped hanging.
And certainly on our way home,
George behaved like one He seemed to
forget everything, even the mater" in
the thought of his release. We pre-
scribed whisky for ourselves on arriving.
and then went to bed and dreaTnt mad