Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-02-17

away. "Hurrah" waving his cap In
the direction of head that was pro-
truded from one Of the windows.
"Why, George, what is the matter?
Why has the train left u.s." asked
Clara, bewildered.
We've eloped. The train for Den
yer will be along in five minutes. Well
so west, and she'll go east"
But the baggage" gasped Clara.
"Sent ahead" answered George;
fixed days ago. Give your husband
kiss, Mrs. Martin. Aunt Rose isn't
here to see."
Meanwhile when Miss Rose saw
George and Clara standing on the
ground, with George waving his cap
and prancing around the platform wild
ly, her first thought was that he was
insane.
This train must be stoppedw she
cried eXctedly, rising to her feet.
Hes mad. Oh, my poor niece"
Miss Rose" said voice soothingly.
"be calm, beg, and will explain"
"Oh. Mr.. Martin. is it yOu?' ex-
claimed the lady in relieved tone as
she turned and saw Georges father.
II am 80 glad. What is IT."
"Sit down and let us talk quietly"
said Mr.. Martin, pushing her gently
into her seat. "There is no cause for
alarm, l assure you" And then he
told her the whole plot.
But shouldn't have bothered them
q bit" said Miss Rose. 81 let him kiss
her, and when no one was in the car
today l told him that he might hold
her hand"
"You didn'tw calculated the father,
chuckling as the vision of Georges
face rose before him. "But, Miss
Rose, l don't think we realize just
what young folks feel in such cases,
do you"
81 don't know. When Reuben
Eyes; know" interrupted the other
gently. "Do you remember how you
and Reuben and Sally and l used to
steal out to take sleigh rides? Those
were good old days. Miss Rose"
"But Reuben died." said Miss Rose,
her lips quivering.
"And so did Sally" answered Mr..
| Martin.
They sat quiet for little time, and
then the man broke the silence:
Rose, let's give those young things
a surprise. can never be to you what
Reuben would have been. but III be
lonely with the boy gone. and you
won't find Clara all in all to you now.
We need each other. Will you marry
me, Rose?"
"But I can't forget Reuben"
81 don't want you to forget Reuben,
even as l shouldn't want to forget my
Sally. 1t was a dreadful blow to have
Reuben die on your wedding day. I'll
do my best to make you happy. dear.
Will you?"
"Yes," answered Miss Rose huskily'
II will. George"
The car was full. and they were an
elderly couple, so he only pressed her
hand gently and. despite the fact that
others might see, continued to hold 1t
caressingly in his. Miss Roses wither-
ed cheek took on a faint blush. and a
feeling Of happiness and comfort stole
into her heart. After little MIR. Mar
tin laughingly exclaimed:
"The young rascal turned over his
tickets and apartments to me to dis
pose of. I've found a ready purchaser.
Rose, we'll take our wedding journey
on their tickets"
A month later Mr.. and Mrs. Martin
Junior returned home.
George" said Clara guiltily as the
train neared the station, Il am afraid
to meet Aunt Rose. am sure that
she will never forgive me-"
"Yes, she WILL" answered George.
"She can't resist you"
"But l haven't heard a word In all
this time" persisted Clara.
"That's nothing" answered her hus.
band. II haven't heard from dad
either, but it's all right. And haven't
we had jolly time"
Indeed we have" answered the
bride, a tender light In her eyes. III
only Aunt Rose
"In take all the blame" said her
husband, because you really didn't
know anything about 1t. Why, here
are both Of them at the station to meet
usv'
"Oh, Aunt Rosew cried Clara, fling.
ling herself into Miss Roses arms and
laughing and crying in breath. "Wil
you ever forgive us?"
Aunt Roses only answer was to kiss
her repeatedly.
"George," said his father after the
| two ladies were somewhat calm, kiss
your R2ther."