Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-05-28
All For Nothing.
Iorieinal.l

John Thompson was twenty-one and
old for his age. The only thing youth
full about him was his love for Anita
Merriweather. who was but seventeen
and young for that tender age. Anita's
parents had reluctantly consented to
an engagement, fearing that their
daughter might change her mind be-
| fore reaching a marriageable age or
later on find herself tied to a man
whom she would not choose at matu-
rity. But Anita regarded herself al
ready as at marriageable age and
saw no possibility of ever changing her
mind.
Johnny" she said one day. II wish
you had more spirit.
what do you mean, sweetheartr
asked John, surprised.
II think you submit very tamely to
| all these requirements and conditions
laid down for US by papa and mann
ma"
81 don't know Of but one-the wait
ing till you are nineteen"
isn't that enough? But suppose It
| doesn't seem very long to you"
i 81 don't permit myself to think of
1t. try to keep my mini on my daily
work. This will the besrer enable me
to take care OF you when get you
what humdrum sort of fellow You
are! like man who resents hay-
| ing others stand in the. way OF his de-
sires, especially in love-"
There was q good deal more of this.
| Anita, though not much beyond child
/ hood. had woman's natural aptitude
for carrying her point, and she sue
ceeded in doing so with John. That
| point was to gain his consent to mar
riage with or without her parents per
| mission.
Very WELL" he said after discover
ing that willful woman must have
her own way. "What do you proposer'
Il suppose Wen have to run away"
II don't think wen have to run very
| fast"
Indeed we shall If papa should
get wind Of our going. he would follow
us furiouslys"
II doubt it. He has no objection to
me. He only wishes us to wait till you
are sure of your own mind"
The upshot of 1t all was that a few
days later John stopped at the door of
the Merriweathers' with his automo-
bile, Anita got In, and they rolled
away. They had taken many an after
noon ride together, and there was mel
Their occasion to ask permission nor to
put on any considerable power. Anita's
mood, however, was not in keeping
with their quiescent conditions. She
either clutched Johns arm as though
for protection or drew away from
him as though he was dragging her
into 1t. John, when he had got be-
yond the town limits, put ON a fair
speed. For the first time since the
elopement, II It could be called such.
had been mentioned Anita's thoughts
appeared to be turned from her own
desires to whatever of pain she might
be inhicting upon her parents.
Il wonder how mother will take it."
she said.
Don't know" was Johns laconic
reply.
I've always been papa's especial
pet. It's hard to do anything to hurt
him"
7 suppose he'll have to stand it."
You're very unfeeling."
"Unfeeling. sweetheart! It isn't that
We @ust face boldly the conditions we
take upon ourselves"
There was a pause after which she
began again:
Mothers health hasn't been OF the
best for the past few months. / hope
It won't break her down"
John made no comment on this
They we're jogging along steadily. She
was SO absorbed with her thoughts
that she paid no attention to the route
they were taking.
don't know she went on. .awbat
I'm going to do without papasa Mss
every night and morning"
I1l give you two" said John, Elm
stead Of one"
''EFmY 4
They were approaching a ho,,aa
John guided the automobile In to the
sidewalk and stopped.
whats thisT' exclaimed the would
be bride In terror.
Clergyman" @ %
THAT horrid Mr.. Parkerf don't
want to be married by him. Go on. |
quick"
john pushed on. Anita leaned back |
on the leather cushion and as a pro-
lection against wind and dust drew a |
veil over her face. The machine chug-
ged. the sun shone down softly. the |
birds were singing In the trees beside |
the road. John heard sob. Then |
Anita took out her pocket handker-
chief. managed to get it under her veil
ana covered her eyes with it. If John |
had been driving a horse instead Of an
automobile he would have put an arm |
about her to comfort her, but shfs ma.
chine needed both banda Anita main
tanned her position. She kept her hand |
kerchief over her eyes and occasion
ally gave. an audible sob. John main |
tained silence. Being old for his are.