The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-03

Katrina's head.
DO not cry, my dear she said. with
difficulty, due to a remarkable structure
alton, but your father can not be an
entire-he must be made to see reason.
I will call and explain"
This conclusion was far from reas-
diplomat managed to murmur with
fair assumption of gratitude. That
is SO good of you dear Miss Harriet
If Thorndyke and / are ever happy
1t will all be due to you
On her way home Miss Harrtdan
found 1t imperative to call at her
fathers of7ce@or, rather, to call on
the office boy. Tommy jerks was nei
staunch adnirer, for she had a way OF
treating him as If he were already
member of the firm.
Tommy, If Miss Harriet calls to see
father during the next few days. just
only worry him. Do you think that
you could keep her out-for me ?"
She smiled engagingly.
The office boy was f1attered by this
proof of confidence. Sure 1 can, Miss
Katrina he declared, stoutly. Just
you trust to Tommy jerks"
Miss Ormsley called at the Office
several times. At each visit Tommy
blandly assured her that Mr. Harridan
was out
1T is impossible" she declared in
dignantly But the office boy played
his role to perfection.
Katrina's next visit to The Larches
found its mistress in a state Of mind
quite at variance with her usual ele-
CANT calm. Your father, in coalition
with his impudent Office boy, has re-
fused to see me. He shows regard
neither for my age and position, nor
for the happiness of my nephew.
Katrina listened meekly. for she
saw that no suggestions were needed
the Ormsley blood was up. Yet even
she was surprised by the suddenness
with which Miss Harriet seized her By
the shoulders and half swung her
round as she cried: IF you had any
spirit in you, you would marry with
out his CONSENT
"Elope!" Katrina's tone was hor-
ror-struck.
Yes, elcpet"
But what would people say?" the
IAN Ormsley is above the vulgar
criticism of the general public" Miss
Harriet answered lnajestically. "And,
indeed, you can scarcely call It
elopement when 1 viii see you mar
ried and give a reception at The
Larches in the evening
So, finally, Katrina and Thorndyke
allowed themselves to be won over to
Miss Ormsley's way of thinking. That
fiery old lady insisted on making all of
the arrangeme nts and was filled with
exultation whenever she thought Of
Mr.. Harridan-and his discontinue.
She was the only witness at the
ceremony, for when she suggested a
few guests. Katrina demurred.
If cannot have my ewn family, I
do not want anyone-but YOU. she de-
clared Il would have liked to have had
those twelve bridesmaids" she added
with a self crifcing sigh.
''They Will all be there in the evening""
Miss Harriet comforted.
So they were, but it was an eleventh
hour guest who had the place of honor.
It on the way home from church
that Katrina begged Miss Harriet to
break the news to her father and to im~
plore him to forgive her on her wedding
night. Softened by the sight of youthful
happiness. Miss Harriet could not re-
fuse.
In this embassy she was successful Mr..
speedily capitulated before her eloquence.
Miss Harriet almost fOrgave his former
obduracy since it made her victory the
Harridan kissed the bride and drank TO
the health Of the groom with equal
fervency.
were driving to the station-the first step
their wedding journey-the groom
gave voice to a 9resentiment which all
evening had clouded his happiness.
L noticed that young Croxton was very
attentive to Pamela tonight Does that
mean another elOpement?"
Katrina gave a happy laugh as she
held UP a slip of paper.
Did you not see this, stupid boy? 1t
is Aunt Harriets present to me-a check
for five thousand. She said she wanted
me to be sure Of my welcome in the
family. Dear Aunt HARRIET It was a
shame to fool her. Yet I think she en-
joyed it-and it was absolutely neces-
gary. Part Of this check shall go for
that this shall be the last Harridan
elopement. "-(Copyright, 1906. by c. H.
Sutcliffe.)