The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-05-16
A RUNAWAY GIRL.
BY ". LYMAN.


to marry. anyway. She was only Ii
and Tom lS-just pair of foolish
little ships who should have been In
school,
But they loved oh. how they loved
Their passion was like fire kindled
with gasoline. but | do hope it lasted
little longer
Toms father was the stumbling
block. Somehow. he couldn't be salts
fed that the affection existing between
these two sweet young things was
anything more serious than puppy
love, as he called 1t. ut is needless
TO remark that he was an old dog who
had not forgotten his puppy days.
The crisis came when Toms father
peremptorily forbade him to talk OF
marriage tor three years. You'll be
Il then and may be able to support a
wife and family"
Tom heart rose in wrath, but he
knew it was useless to argue the case
That very day he hitched up the extra
team ana drove to town to tell Della
the worst, And Delia's heart went up
in wrath-~iust to be with Toms.
Il tell you. sweet one, Well moi
stand for such treatment Three whole
years Just think Of it,"
Yes, and YOU might marry some
one else in that time, my own dear
boy Della was crying softly.
Darling, don't cry. If you'll come
with me TO Tinkumville right now
Wen show them we'll
oh. Tom, | couldn't run away"
why not-you would be with your
Tommy
oh because"
Toms pleadings prevailed and the
afternoon train carried the young
lover TO Tinkumvile. Arrived at thA
station there, Tom put Della IN bus
and directed the driver to let her out
at The home of Rev Job Smith Then
Tom went TO the courthouse and asked
for license AS good luck would
have IT, Tom ran across a friend who
vas willing to perjure himself for the
sake of seeing the fun.
With his license in his coat poclsst
ana his friend at his side, Ton hurried
the minister's house. The preacher
opened the door and invited them in
rom looked anxiously around as ht
entered the parlor
Isis Miss Della Wilson here?"
mo; but are you Mr. CARSON
Yes, sir"
II had a tt leph0ne call from Broth
II Jones, the Methodist minister, just
low, asking for you I'll call hirl up
Rev Jones responded promptly and |
Tom took the receiver. A faint, scared |
dice came to him over the wire.
Is that you, TOM"
Yes. this is me, dar-yes-"
oh Tom. you must come right over
lere; hurry, and don't let anybody see
'ou. Come through the alleys did;
II explain when You get here--only |
lurry."
Tom dropred the receiver on the |
ook, grabbed his friend by the arm
nd hurried away. leaving a puzzled
nd empty.handed preacher staring
rom the doorway.
In a busy Missouri county seat it is
o easy matter to walk Ave blocks on
pleasant afternoon and don't let
nybody see you But few they were
no saw Tom and his friends as they
,udded through the alleys ant
rossed the streets where wagons ana
,ams were thickest
Up the front steps of the parsonage
ley bounded just as the front door
pened A trembling little cir
raped her arms about Toms necl
nd burst into tears. Tom soothet
er. and telling her he had the lcens
nd all would he over in few min
ties and she would be his'n and HI
er'n, led her into the parlor, where
ev. Jones awaited them
From what Miss Wilson tells m
think we should be in some hast
we would have no Interruptions
he minister said. az he examined tn
cense A merry twinkle lurked II
Is eye and throughout the ceremons
e seemed on the verge Of risibl
,llapse
When il was all over Mrs. Jones ant
neighbor woman who just dropped
to see the dear young things iumr
le broomstick. left the room. Ton
nd his bride sat in the big settee ant
ella turned flushed and happy fac,
her husband.
oh. Tom! ! had the awfullest time
lst after that bus left The depot { ! ;
g wagon with three or four men II
drove right up beside the bus. }
oked out and saw a great big sign |
ie whole length Of that wagon. and
Isl sail A runaway girl Oh, ! wa.
scared ! just jumped ont OF tina
MS and took down the alley anc
ever stopped till ! came ont up her,
the corner. and asked mai
here the preachers house was. anC
; directed me here
The minister's door opened AMI
zen handful was thrust into the
,om. Tom picked II up and read;