The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-03
THE EVENING STOR II
enc Harridan-ornslex Elopement.

Katrina Harridan was the sixth of
seven daughters, red-haired, and IN
dersized-but that did not prevent her
from being a power in her world. At
the Young Ladies' seminary she was
the acknowledged leader as we'll as the
most intimate friend of her twelve
classmates, each of whom had the
promise of being a bridesmaid at her
wedding. In this they were president,
since Thorndyke Ormsley had for some
time made her the object of his atten-
tons.
Thorndyke Ormsley did not altogeth-
er meet with the approval Of the class.
They thought him lacking in the dash
and daring requisite for a suitable
match for their president
Katrina, however, viewed the matter
from different standpoint. As she
conf1ded to her younger sister Pamela,
Ihere is something restful In Thron-
dykes conventionality. I always know
just what to expect from him, and I
fancy that I can furnish more of the
element of the unexpected than is
found in most orthodox families"
She therefore smiled upon her ad-
mirer. 1t followed that she had been
graduated but a few months when he
made UP his mind that to marry her
was the only proper course of action.
He was too we'll regulated a young
man to propose to Katrina without
having first spoken to her father. This
was a procedure that the astute NOR
sci of girlhood had foreseen-and ar
ranged for.
Mr. Harridan was a large comfortable
gentleman who found 1t easier to be
ruled than to rule. His seven daugh-
ters were at once the JOY and the dicta-
tors of his life. He was in the habit OF
they are the best of the lot As for
boysHyou can get all you want in the
way of sons-in-law. / have acquired
Ave in the last five years SO I ought to
know what 1 am talking about"
ThOrndyke OrmSley knew that he
was an exceptional young man with ex-
ceptional prospects, and had therefore
no unreasonable certainty of satisfac-
tory interview with the amiable Mr.
Earridan- He met with a refusal as
unexpected as it was unexplainable- +
AS he afterward complained to ka-
trina, II cannot understand it. Your
father was brusque, nervous. quite un-
like himself All that I could get him
to say was that you were too young,
and that he entirely disapproyed.
When I tried to argue, Pamela came
IN, and he intimated that the interview
was closed"
Katrina buried her face in his Shout
der. "Oh dear, oh dear!" she walled
What shall we do?"
Thorndyke attempted to comfort her
and he found the process so agreeable
that he prolonged it for some moments
before saying soothingly: DO not be
discouraged. dear. / will call on MIN
again He must be made to see reas-
on" AS a happy thought struck him,
why don't you speak to him, your>
self? You girls have always seemed
to get your way pretty thoroughly He
will say yes to you
HE won't" Katrina's voice, though
smothered, was decisive.
f'Why not?'
Because 1 won't let him. without
giving her lover time to recover from
the shock, she hurried on: Papa has
lost a great deal of money these last
years He has really a hard time to
get along, s. that another wedding is
out of the question You don't know
what a wedding costs-we have had
five so we do. There would be the
presents and dresses for those twelve
bridesmaids, the flowers, music, cater
er, trousseau-Oh. 1t is awful" and she
clasped her hands despairingly- Papa
is always so good; he wanted to mort
gage the house. but I said no."
Light had begun to dawn upon
Ormsley. LET me, Katrina he began.
Two red spots appeared in Katrina's
cheeks. "And have us all ashamed to
look you in the face-Never! Pamela
and I have decided never to marry I'M
less we elope."
Thorndyke Ormsley stifened. THAT
is impossible
Katrina began to cry in earnest. Il
always knew that you were proper, but
proper that you cared more for what
people would say than you did for me-
she sobbed.
Her lover could not resist her tears.
You know that I love you better than
anything else in the world" he said,
tenderly. ut is not entirely on my own
account that 1 obJect-there is Aunt
Harriet. She would be utterly scandal
lied by an elopement. Is 1t right to dis
tress her when she has done everything
for me and I am all she has?''
At this virtual capitula ton, Katrina's
tears ceased to flow. Then If I get
Aunt Harriets consent you viii be will
ing to elope?" she asked guiielessly.
II would do anything to marry you"
Katrina threw her arms around his
neck. Then it is as good as settled"
You don't know Aunt Harriet"
Ormsley admonished.
Yes do. And what is more
wager that If you do exactly as I tell
you. she herself will suggest an elope-
ment.''
So the two put their heads together.
Most men would have wished them
selves in Ormsley's place. He must have
been sensible of his privileges for he
left the house more in love than ever
and vowed to play his part in the COM
refused to admit the pos
sibility of q tragedy.
Miss Harriet Ormsley lived in big
d-fashioned house called The Larch-
es." She had the only victoria in town,
her butler always stood behind her
chair at dinner, and her parlor-maid
wore French caps. In all respects her
was most correct. But |
its rhythmic order and the mind of its
mistress were alike disturbed by the
strange behaviour of young Mr.. Orrn-
sley. For three or four days he had |
eaten scarcely anything, although his |
aunt ordered his favorite dishes, and |
Jenkins served them to a nicely In
stead of going out Of an evening he
brooded over the fire or feverishly |
paced his room. His rapid footballs |
could be heard long after the rest of |
the family had retired.
Miss Harriet loved her nephew-as |
she had his father before him. When |
he had successively refused to take a |
ionic see q nhYsician. or consider q |