The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-08-28


older than | am, so don't be angry. At
any rate, you are old enough to trust"
what is it you are going to do to-
night| Sayres asked abruptly.
Announce Ems engagement to the
prince and put a stop to all this nom
sense"
without Ems consentW
'She's a good, sensible girl when she
takes time to think She will see the
folly of throwing away such a chance.
So," said the lady determinedly, you
have my full authority to announce the
betrothal.'
wouldn't you-ah-wait to speak to
EN-? 1t might be something of q
shock"
"No. Take her by surprise. She'll
yield-the foolish child"
Sayres moved off into the crowd Of
guests and sought out Dill.
DILL" said he, don't shy; don't
swear; don't give yourself away. 1
have our hostess authority to announce
cadini."
Dill turned white, but never moved.
'Emil-Miss Balm has just told me
that she was not engaged to the prince
or anybody else, and, and-in fact l
hoped that-oh"-
Don't swear. The best thing Miss
Balm can do, if she won't be forced into
this marriage, is to assert herself bold
ly and at once. Why don't you assist
her?'
81? What can doY
'Oh, young Lochinvar is come out Of
the west" the major quoted, with Il
wink
Dill jumped at the spur.
"Major," he said as his eye lit up, 'if
it We're possible! Would she? By Jove,
could do it! Her mother would never
consent and-and enough of our beau
ties have gone to foreign countries al
ready"
"And of our wealth?'
1.-TWO million,' said Dill excitedly
'Its ghastly shame, though, of
course, as you know, major, that is
nothing to me-"
"Certainly not" said the good old
boy. Il might, for Miss Bain's sake,
help her out of the very unpleasant po-
sition her mother has forced her into,
Dill"
"You dear old chap! What shall
do? l shall speak to EN- at once"
"'Twould tract 'tenshun," the ma
jor murmured, catching Dills arm. 81
shall see her myself. Leave it to me-"
"Major," cried Dill, you are the best
old fellow in the world, and EN- and 1
shall never forget it! OF course we all
know you are sometimes pressed for
money. Anything 1 can do after my
MARRIAGE
The major puffed little bit. Men Of
his age, growing stout, are liable to
puff. Dill did not notice it.
1t was toward the end of the supper
that the daring elopement became
known-toward the end of a supper
during which Prince Paccadini had
been congratulated until his grateful
smile seemed fixed on his face. Miss
Bain's sudden sickness and absence in
her room for awhile had been ascribed
to her modest desire to postpone her
share of these congratulations. Dill'S
departure had been attributed to cha
grin. Therefore when a maid whisper
ed in the hostess ear startled people
saw Mrs. Balm flop in faint. She re-
covered quickly. Paccadini stood out,
dignifed, but disappointed.
''She is mad!' cried madam. "That
scoundrel, Dill, has taken her by force!
Prince, l myself shall restore her to
your arms. Where is Major Sayres?
He will help me. He loved EN- like a
daughter"
''The old boy slipped off before sup
per-" some one said. Hes probably
tucked in bed at his hotel"
''Send for himr' cried Mrs. Balm.
''Prince, l don't know how to apollo
gize to you. 1 won't wait for Sayres.
I'll go myself. Prince, stay here,
please, and it will all be explained.
That young villain, Dill! Emily must
have known he cared more for her
money than for her. Prince, am hui
inflated dreadfully. Pray forgive. I
shall horsewhip Dill myself. Prince,
be calm! My poor abducted daughter!
oh, that wicked young man! Prince,
embrace mel am beside myself! Ny
darling Emily! My dear princer'
With luck they might catch the fu-
gitives before the western express stop
ped at s., twelve miles away. They
had luck. They caught the train, and
they caught Dill, and Dill had a dread
full time of it between screeches and
hauls and pushes and maledictions and
the lodging of Mrs. Bain's horsewhip.
Il don't know where she is!' he yell
ed at last from behind chair in cor
ner of the hotel room. "I've been fool
ed and trapped. It's a ghastly fraud.
Where's SayresT
"Sayres?"
eyes, Sayres. He was to bring her
here to mer'
"Sayresr
Mrs. Balm screamed and tainted
again.
A groom galloped up.
"Major Sayres an Miss Emily, they
druv off an hour ago at a gallop, mum,
in the opp'site direction, mum, you
went, an l did my best to catch up an
tell you, but you Travelled that hard"-
"Major Sayres! That dear old boy!
Impossible" the crowd gasped.
1t was quite possible, as Emily's let
ter explained week afterward:
I was worried to desperation, mother
by your determination to marry me off
l could not bear il. You always told me
to listen to the majors advice, and have