Smyrna times., 1904-10-05

gained control of his voice, my son
has goner
Franklin Thickerton looked at the
judge as though he had never before
seen him. 80 has my daughterr'
ElOise Thickerton looked around
the waiting room of the depot, a
frightened expression in her large
gray eyes. She held her muff tightly
in both hands and watched the people
coming from and going to the ticket
windows. Eloise had not fully made
up her mind just where she wanted to
go.
When Harry Wilton, CARRYING his
satchel, came into the waiting room,
the first person he saw was Eloise
ThickertOn. The young man looked
at her in amaZement, then he slowly
drew out his watch; it was 8 o'clock.
OF course she must be looking for
himself. Poor girl, the idea of being
deserted was intolerable to her. Walk
ing quickly across to Eloise's side,
Harry touched her lightly upon the
arm. The girl gave a little startled
cry.
"Oh, Mr.. Wilton, I'm so nervous.
I-I-really am so glad to see you.
want you to buy me a ticket, will
yOu?"
Harry was bewildered.
Going away, did you say? Why,
understand that you-you-were to be
married this evening. Why doesn't
your-your husband buy the ticket?"
Eloise flushed scarlet. She turned her
face away and looked across the room,
then out into the train shed. where
bells were ringing, smoke putting and
whistles screaming. Mr. Wilton was
waiting for her answer. When she
again turned her face toward him,
Harry saw that her eyes were filled
with tears.
Il couldn't do it," she whispered. Il
couldn't marry that horrid little Mr.
Glade. Perhaps he is nice Perhaps
papa meant well, but he's old and. well
i hated him. So l just determined
to run away"
Young Wilton was staring at the
girl in silent amazement. why" he
stammered, why, when did your .fa-
ther change his mind? When did he
tell you that you must marry that man.
that Mr.. GladeY
Papa never told me whom l was
to marry. He said never mind when
tried to question him, but l know
that it was to be Mr.. Glade. | know
because he always looks at me SC
funny, and then he was invited tC
breakfast, and to lunch, and to dinner
today Anyway, who else could Il
possibly be? No one else would mar
ry just poor plain me!'
For moment Harry Wilton was ST
lent; then. drawing step nearer, h,
looked down into his companions face
"Mr. Glade was not to be your hus
band l was to be the man."
"YOu|'
Eyes. but when the time came
couldn't do it. l felt that l was bein
, | forced upon you. and-well, l just de
cided to leave you in peace and g
away
You" ElOise repeated. 'Why, l ney
/ er thought THAI you cared about me!
Eyes, l cared so much that 1 cOul
not bear to hurt you. supposed, Q
; course, your father told you"
mo" Eloise fingered her boa nery
j ously mo; if he had perhaps l migt
t have
"Yes." Harry drew closer to til
t girls side.
! Her cheeks were flushed and sh
dared not raise her eyes to the youn
= mans face, for she knew that he wa
= looking at her. When she again spOB
. her voice trembled.
:. "What are we-that isl mean, wins
< are you But Eloise did not finis
her speech. Her voice suddenly faile
- and she hid her face in her muff.
: Nevertheless Harry Wilton unde
e stood her meaning. A moment lat'
o and he had settled her future.
|, 81 am going to be married tonight
ElOise lifted her face. Are you
she whispered. "Who to?"
n "Youw
?. "MeY'
r "Yes." And together they walked
l. ward the ticket window.