Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-07-24


trip alarm overcame her usual stiff
ness. and she implored an explanation.
Thorndyke gave II reluctantly. He
loved Katrina Harridan. Katrina loved
him. Her father objected That was
the end OF H.
Miss Harriet listened In amazement.
An Ormsley. her nephew. refused by a
Harridan, mere upstart IN society IL
was ridiculous. preposterous!
Thorndyke refused further discussion
of the subject. His aunt lay awake
most of the night, and as the clock
chimed the hours of the early morning
so did her Indignation grow.
Ii was almost at boiling point the
next day when Katrina was announced.
Before her hostess could speak the
girl threw herself in her arms.
"Oh, dear Miss Harriet she cried.
"of course Thorndyke has told you.
suppose ought not TO be here. when l
am forbidden TO have anything to do
with him, but IL can't be wrong to
come when he is away"
Miss Harriet found herself patting
Katrinas head
"Do not cry. my dear" she said with
difficulty, due to a remarkable structure
In her throat 1T Is a deplorable stu
ton, but your father cannot be an en-
tire He must be made to see reason.
/ will call and explain
This conclusion was far from reas-
surfing TO Katrina. Yet the young dip
lomat managed TO murmur with fair
assumption OF gratitude: THAT Is so
good of yon, dear Miss Harriet If
Thorndyke and | are ever happy, IL
will all be due to YOU"
On her way home Miss Harridan
found il imperative to call at her ia
theirs ofiice-or. rather. to call on the
Office boy. Tommy jerks was her
stanch admirer for she had a way Of
treating him as II he were already a
member of the firm.
Tommy, If Miss Harriet calls TO see
father during the next few days just
tell her that he is engaged She would
only worry him. DO you think that
you could keep her out-for me" She
smiled engagngly.
The Office boy was BATTERED by this
proof Of confidence. Sure | can. Miss
Katrina" he declared stOutly. "Just
you trust TO Tommy jerks
Miss Ormsley called at the Office sew
eral 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.
Katrinas 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 mel
Their 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 without his con
sent
"Eloper' Katrina's tone was horror
struck.
Eyes, elopev'
But what would people say" the
girl objected.
"An Ormsley is above the vulgar crit
icism of the general public" Miss Har.
riet answered majestically. And in
deed you can scarcely call ii an elope-
ment when | will see you married and
give a reception at the Larches In the
evening"
So finally Katrina and Thorndyke al
Miss Ormsley's way of thinking. That
fiery old lady insisted on making all
Of the arrangements and was filled
! with exultation whenever she thought
Of Mr.. Harridan and his discontinue.
! She was the only witness at the cere-
mony. for when She suggested a few
guests Katrina demurred.
IF cannot have my own family |
do not want any one but you" she de
clared. II would have liked to have
had those twelve bridesmaids" she
added. with self sacrificing sigh.
They will all be there I'm the even
ing" Miss Harriet comforted.
SO they We're. but il was an eleventh
hour guest that had the place Of honor
1t was on the way home from church
that Katrina begged Miss Harriet TO
break the news To her father and 10
implore him 10 forgive her on her wed
ding night. Softened by the sight of
the youthful happiness. Miss Harriet
could not refuse
In this embassy she was successful
Mr.. lIarridan presented bold front.
but he speedily capitulated before her
eloquence. Miss Harriet almost for
gave his former obduracy since it made
her victory the more signal. Thus il
happened that Mr.. Harridan kissed the
bride and drank to the health of the
groom with equal fervency
When Mr.. and Mrs. fhorndyke Orms
ley were driving to the station. the first
step on their wedding journey, the
groom gave voice to a presentiment
which all evening had clouded his hap
piness
Il noticed that young Croxton was
very attentive 10 Pamela tonight Does
that mean another elopementy'
Katrina gave a happy laugh as she
held mp a slip OF paper
did YOU not see this. stupid boy? IL
is Aunt Harriets present to me. a
check FOR $1,000. She said she wanted
me 10 be sure OF my welcome in the
family. Dear Aunt Harriet, II was a
shame TO fool her. Yet | think she en-
,ioyed II. and Il was absolutely neces
sary. Part OF this check shall 90 for