Oxford Democrat., 1903-09-29
NUMBER 80.

Major" she said, Il think we nau
better do II tonight and put stop to
Ems caprices."
SIS she naughty again" Sayres ask
ed. "She promised me to be good"
"Good. Tho poor prince Is furtously
jealous, and no wonder. Look at her!
Her eyes are simply beaming upon
that young pauper, Dill. You have
such influence over these young men
wonder you do not tell him ut once
that he's making IA foo! Of himself.
Ems not going to marry poor nobodies.
wish you would, major. like the dear
old fellow You always are."
"Old" said the major.
II am old, and you are immensely
older than am, so don't be angry. At
any rate, you are old enough to trust"
"What is 1t you arc going to do to-
night% Sayres asked abruptly.
Announce Ems engagement to the
prince and put stop TO oil this nom
sense
"Without Ems cOnsentW
"She's a good, sensible girl when she
takes time to think. Sic 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
shock"
mo. 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 sAy; don't
swear; don't give yourself away. l
have our hostess authority to announce
Miss Bain's engagement to Prince tac-
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 fuct
hoped that-Oh'-
"Don't swear. The best thing Miss
Balm can do, II she won't be forced into
this marriage, is to assert herself bold
ly and ut once. Why don't you assist
herT'
81? What can do"
"Oh, young Lochinvar Is come out Of
the west" the major quoted, with q
wink.
Dill jumped at the spur.
Major" he said MS his eye lit up. IL
It were possible! Would she? BY Jovs.
could do 1t! 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 a CHASTITY shame, though. OF
course, as you know, major, that is
nothing to me-"
Certainly not" said the good old
boy. II might. for Miss Bnin's sake,
help her out of the very unpleasant pO-
sition her mother has forced her into,
DILL"
"You dear old chap. What shall I
do? l shall speak to En- at once"
"Twould tract 'tenshun." the ma
jor murmured. catching Dill's arm. Il
shall see her myself. Leave 1t to me-"
Major" cried Dill, you are the best
old fellow In the world, and En- and
shall never forget It! OF course we all
know you are sometimes pressed for
money. Anything can do after my
marriage
The major puffed little bit Men OF
his age, growing stout, are liable to
puff. Dill did not notice 1t.
1t was toward the end Of the supper
that the daring elopement became
known-toward the end OF 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. Dilrs
departure had been attributed to cha
grin. Therefore when maid whisper
ed In the hostess ear startled people
saw Mrs. Balm flop In faint. She re-
covered quickly. Paccadil stood out,
digniIied. but disappointed.
"She Is madw cried madam. THAT
scoundrel, Dill. has taken her by force!
Prince, / myself shall restore her to
your arms. Where is Major Sayresi
He will help me. He loved En- like q
daughter"
"The old boy slipped of before sup
per-" some one said. Hes probably
tucked In bed ct his hotel"
Send for him. cried Mrs. Balm.
prince, don't know how to apollo.
gixe to you. won't wait for sayres.
I'll 20 myself. Prince, stay here,
please, and 1t will all be explained.
That young villain, Dill! Emily must
have known he cared more for her
money than for her. Prince, I am hu.
inflated dreadfully. Pray forgive.
shall horsewhip Dill myself. Prince.
be calm! My poor abducted daughter!
Oh, that wicked young man! Prince,
embrace me! am beside myself! Ny
darling Emily! Ny dear prince!
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 dread
full time of 1t between screeches and
hauls and pushes and maledictions and
the lodging Of Mrs. Bain's horsewhip.
II don't know where she Isl he yell
ed at last from behind chair In cor.
ner of the hotel room. "I've been fool
ed and trapped. It's ghastly fraud.
Where's SayresT
"SayresW
"Yes, Sayres. He was to bring hei
here to me"
"Sayresw
Mrs. Balm screamed and tainted
again.
A groom galloped up.
"Alajor Sayres an Miss Emily. they
druv of m hour ago at gallop, mum
in the opp'site direction, mum, you
went, an did my best to catch up an
tell you, but you travelled that hard"-
"Major Sayres! That dear old boy!
ImpossibIew the crowd gasped.
| II UNA nuifa nnasihlp as Emily'a let