The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-07-08
A Slight Mistake.

1--WE must elope, BERTHE, it is the only
way to bring them to terms; though
what in the world your aunt and uncle
mean by not consenting to our union is
more than can see; they agreed willing
ly enough to our betrothal last spring,
and now when we wish to consummate
it, they both look grim and say we must
wait, without giving any reason. orcven
condesending to say how long our pro-
baton is to be, but we will outwit them
yet, won't we dearest"
And the speaker, Il tall handsome young
man, with dark brown eyes and black
wavy hair, looked tenderly down on the
slight figure of the young girl who sat on
the rustic summer-housc seat at his side
II own, Harry that their conduct
puzzles me. but had we not better wait a
little while longer said BERTHE thought
fully.
mo dear, l made all arrangements for
our marriage before came home, and
am not going to put it off because they
happened to object. Won't you ride out
with ME tomorrow and be Mrs Clifton ?"
BERTHE did not answer for some mo-
ments.
At last she raised her head, aud with
sweet blush, said:
Eyes, Harry, 1 will"
He pressed kiss upon her red lips
"And now for arrangements" lie said.
Tomorrow evening, at seven O'Clock,
will be at the lower garden gate with a
horse and carriage, for l don't suppose
your aunt would let you go with me if |
should call openly, as she has refused to
do so three times within the last week"
mo, don't think she would Harry. |
will be punctual Now let us go in. for
am afraid she will miss me- She hasn't
acted like herself lately"
The two walked slowly towards the
house; but just as they reached the steps,
BERTHE said:
Harry. had rather you would not
meet me at Minnie Miller's. can con-
trive to go there tomorrow, and would
like to have her and her brother go with
us, if you are willing"
81 have no objection. returned Harry,
and think like the plan better than
the other. And now, goodbye until to-
morrow evening, for l shall go over to
Carton in the morning. so shallnot have
time to call Don't fail ME dearest"
And, clasping her in his arms he show
cred passionate kisses upon her brow and
lips, then turned and walked away.
There had been two listeners to the con-
versation in the summer house, of whom
the lovers little dreamed.
They were none other than Harry's
uncle and Bertie's aunt
The summer-house was built in the
hedge that divided the two gardens, and
there were seats on each side, completely
hidden from view by dropping vines.
Mrs. Horton. Bertie's aunt, had been
walking in the garden, and had seated
herself upon one of these seats to finish
reading book; while, one the other side
of the hedge, Harry uncle had laid down
to take nap.
The voices of the Young folk had arous-
cd them both. and they had b, n uninten-
tional listeners to the plan of olopement,
each, however, thinking that 70 one else,
except the parties themselves, knew any
thing about it.
Harry and BERTHE were orphans, and
had been adopted by their relatives when
quite young.
They had been acquainted nearly two
years, BERTHE having finished her educa-
ton in the same town where Harry was
studying law, but their respective guar
dams had not been informed of the fact
until about six months previous to the
opening of our story, when Mr.. Clifton
bought the house adjoining Mrs. Hor-
tons.
1t was then that the young people
sought and gained their consent.
BERTHE was by far the most beautiful
girl for miles around, and, after Harry
went back to his studies, his uncle, a
bachelor of five and forty, became SO
enamoured of her charms, that notwith-
standing he knew that his nephew was
her accepted lover. he actually proposed,
and was refused.
He was SO chagrined by this refusal,
that he resolved, if he could not possess
the little fairy himself, that his nephew
should not have her.
So" he muttered, rising hastily, and
walking rapidly towards his house, they
have taken their destiny in their own
hands have they? Well, well, that is just
the thing as long as know anything
about it; it will give me better oppor
tunity than | ever dreamed of having
All, my little beauty you will be mine al
last; will see that your lover does not
meet you, and at seven O'Clock it will BIZ
too dark for you to tell the difference be
tween Harry Clifton Of twenty-five ant
Herbert Clifton of forty-fve. Ha. ha. ha
But let us turn our attention to BERTHE: