The Washington herald., 1907-05-09

now and getting married?" demanded
Dudley Winthrop. You are over legal
age and the marriage cannot be nullined
on the ground that you are a minor.
even though that ridiculous will does
make you Mrs. Eatons slave for three
years more"
Elizabeth colored.
You see" she said shamefacediy
"Auntie is afraid Of some such thing and
and, John, watches"
You don't mean to say that she had
the footman act as a spy upon you?' he
gasped.
Elizabeth nodded
You don't realize how bitter auntie
is" she explained.
Just because my father married an
other girl? Surely that does not excuse
her setting the servants to SPY upon you.
We can slip out of the side door. then"
Robert is in the side street with tie
carriage" she said. while the blood dyed
her face a deeper red. I'm afraid that
there is no chance, dear
But you would if you could2"
you know that, Dudley"
III take the chance" he said. i
never heard of such thing. I'm goinng
now. don't want to take a chance Of
meeting Mrs. Eaton until I've had time
10 cool down. III send You word
Winthrop passed out with a pleasant
adleu 10 his hostess and, as be descended
the steps. the sudden alertness Of the
foOtman in the Eaton livery told him
that EIizabeth's suspicious were correct
Mrs. Eaton had never forgiven Dudley
Eatons father for his fancied slight
She had determined 10 marry him; but
while he was attentively courteous, he
had given no indication Of his preference
for her. For all of that, his marriage 10
another woman had been a defeat she
had never forgiven. and now that she
was the legal guardian Of her sisters
child until Elizabeth should become
twenty-one. she threw every obstacle in
the way of the match between the two
young people. even planning 10 frustrate
an elopemeut through the wdtchfulness
of her carriage servants.
Dudley had an appointment with an
out-of-toWn acquaintance. and when he
came TO Forty-second street he turned
iAto steps 40fe+4A "a ID btAA4 ~ fA5 AAN l4AiAA
I4e sought was in the grill room in the
new hotels basement, they told him. al
his desk, and presently Dudley found
himself facing the long marble corridor
from his seat at one OF the tables.
What's the procession he demanded
as he pointed TO the person who. after
descending the stairs, vanished down a
short corridor lust beyond
Going TO take the subway" said the
visitor. I thought you New Workers
knew everything. Don't you know that
the Knickerbocker has two entrances
to the subway-One through the cafe and
one down that hallway? It's great on
rainy day"
ITS good any old day" smiled Win
throp as a sudden inspiration came to
him I'm glad I found it out"
After that Winthrop became a regular
occupant Of the table that gave a view
of the corridor sitting there sometimes
for an hour after the black coffee had
been served, and at last his patience was
rewarded, for Elizabeth came hurrying
down the stairway
Lets run" she cried, as he hurried
forward. Il told auntie I wanted to
stop and telephone She only knows the
hotel from the restaurant, and she's hav-
ing a cup OF tea in there this blessed min
ute, safe in the knowledge that the men
are on guard outside"
She was dragging Winthrop down the
corridor and across the platform. Through
the tunnel came the rumble Of an ap-
preaching train. and they slipped through
the gate just as it came to stop.
(Which way are we going?' she de-
nanded. as she settled into the seat.
Downtown he explained. There is
a little tunnel that leads over 10 the up
town platform, but I wanted 10 get away
quickly We can get off at the next
station and cross there. DR.. Bliss lives
on Ninety-siXth street
The plan was simple enough. and
though there was a wait for an uptown
express they were soon on board. There
lis a curve at Forty-secOnd street where
the tracks swing into Broadway. and
here the train slowed down. Elizabeth,
looking through the window, gave a little
scream. Standing in the entrance from
the Knickcrbocker was her aunt with a
most laughable expression of bewilder-
ment upon her face. 1t was just fleet
ing tableau. and then the train gathered
speed and Elizabeth sank back in her seat
'Apntie has just discovered the flight,
she announced with a low ripple Of
laughter Her expression was the fun
niest thing, Dudley"
I wish I could hear what she is say
ing" he chuckled. Il fancy that she
viii lose her faith in coachmen spies
now. It's a mighty good lesson for her,
Elizabeth
ITO think Of your disinterestedness in
giving the lesson" she said, demurely
1T does great credit to your generosity
They both laughed at the suggestion un-
I'll the train shot into the Ninety-sixth
street station. when they hurried above
ground,
Half an hour and the kindly old rector
had escorted them TO the door Eliza
beth clutched the certificate Of marriage
as though she feared to lose it, and sigh
ed with relief as she heard Winthrop
give his address to the driver.
But she gasped as they drew up in
front OF the house ana saw the Eaton