Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-04-22
taken back now. I'll never speak to you
again as long as liver'

"You needn't threaten me. It won't
be my fault if we're captured. I'm not
any more anxious to meet your father
just now than you are. asserted the
young man, earnestly.
Then silence supervened, and ! had
leisure to construct the accusation. It
was a wedding party. indeed, but a
priori-an elopement, in short. This
sweet faced young woman with the re-
mindful eyes was taking her future in
her hand to give it over into the keep
ing of a young man whose consent to
such proceeding was his sufficient con-
demnation. I pictured to myself the
distress Of the father, whose wishes
had been 80 unflially .disregarded. He
was doubtless kind and indulgent par
ent-are not all modern parents culpa-
bly, soP-and his objections to the alert
young man were probably well rooted
in good Judgment and common sense.
The name, Roderick, and the word
about belated passengers, bridged the
gap in my memory, and I was able to
place the intending bridegroom. he was
a young man employed by the railway
company in some capacity know not
what-in the booking Office. He it was
who had procured for me my clergy
mans permit for half rates. At that
time had thought him very pleasant
young fellow. but it must be admitted
that circumstances alter cases, and in
the light of the present episode my point
of view coincided Immediately with
that of the aggrieved father. 1t was not
my affair. to be sure. but my sympa-
thies were 40 strongly enlisted on the
side of parental authority that I could
with difficulty hold my peace. Indeed,
it was borne in upon me so forcibly that
| ought to expostulate with the young
.ashlings that was about to do 80
when the train moved out and carried
them. 30 to speak. suddenly across their
Rubicon.
Having thus lost the opportunity for
hopeful interference. may confess that
I awaited the turn Of events with no
inconsiderable degree of curiosity.
Would the injured father have his
wits with him. as the young man 30
irreverently phrased it. and drive post
haste to intercept the train at the reg
istering stationf
The day was warm and the car win
dows were open. When the shrek Of
the airbrakes was uplifted and the speed
began to slacken, l looked out and up
the road leading down from the city.
Far away among the last scattering
houses of the suburb carriage drawn
by fast galloping horses came in sight.
At the same moment heard the young
man say:
.This sun is fearfully hot. don't you
think 80. Eleanor3 Let me close your
window"
The bang of the sash and the whir
of the shade followed quickly. and I d.
vined his intention. He. too. had seen
the carriage.
Presently the train came to stand
with the forward end Of the Pullman
Immediately opposite the platform OF
the email registering station. From my
window / saw the conductor come out
and raise his hand to give the signal
for departure. In the very act he espied
the carriage with the galloping horses
and desisted. He was evidently going
to wait for the vehicle to come up.
For the next few moments the sus-
pense was we'll nigh electrical The
crucial anxiety Of the two young peo-
pie seemed to communicate itself in
some mysterious manner to the other
occupants of the car, and we all sat
breathless under the weight Of silence
which was surcharged with suppressed
excitement. When the drumming OF
the horses hoofs became family audi
BILE. the young man could endure it no
longer. With hasty EXCUSE me a
moment to his companion he left his
seat. and l craned my neck from the
window in time to SEQ him join the
conductor on the platform.
"What are you waiting for, Grafton
he demanded. with the air Of one who
is made bold by the occasion.
The conductor jerked his thumb over
his shoulder in the direction Of the
chaise.
"Some drummer got left at the un-
ion depot. l guess. Serve him right If
, we didn't wait on him. '.
Don't you fool yourselfr' The
young mans manner of speech was dis
tressingly idiomatic. not to say vague.