The daily Alaskan., 1907-06-19
All For Nothing.
LOriEInnLl

old for his age. The only thing yOutl- full about hlm was his love for Anita NIerrIweather, who was but seventeen aud young for that tender age. AnIta's parents had reluctantly consented to an engagement. fearing that theH 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 mutu- rlty. But Anita regarded herself al. ready as at a marrlageable age and saw no possibility Of ever changing her mind.
 Johnny" she said one day, "I wish you had more spirit"
 What do you mean, sweetheart| asked John. surprised.
 "I think you submit very tamely to au these requirements and conditions laid down for us by papa and mam- ma"
 'I don't know of but Oue-the walt Ing tilI you are nineteen"
 Isn't that enough? But l suppose it doesn't seem very long to you"
 "I don't permit myself 10 think of It. l try to keep my mind on my daily work. This will the better enable me to take care of you when l get you"
 What hUmdrum sort of fellow you are, l Ike a man who resents hay Ing others stand in the way Of his de sirrs, especially In love-
 There was a good deal more of this. Anita, though not much beyond child hood, had woman's natural aptitude for c2rrylng her point, and she sue cecdel In doing so with John. That point was to gain his consent to mar rlage with or without her parents per mission.
 Very vel" he said after discover ing that a willfuI woman must have her own way. What do you prOpOsef"
 "I suppose we'll have to run away"
 ''I don't think we'll have to run very fast"
 Indeed We shall If papa should get wind of our going, he would follow us Curlously."
 "I doubt It. He has no objection to me. He only wishes us to wait tiIl 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 sutomo- bile. Anita got In, and they rolled away. They had taken many an after noon ride together. and there was uel- ther occasion to ask permission nor tu put on any considerable power. AulJa's mood, however was not ln keeping with their QuiescenU conditions. She either clutched Johns arm as though for protection or drew away from hlm as though he was dragging her Into ir. John, when be had got be- yond the town limits. put on a fair speed. For the first time since the elopement If 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 inhicung upon her parents.
 "I wonder how mother will take It." she said
 Don't know" was Johns Iacouic reply.
 I've always been papa's especial pet It's hard to do anything to hurt him"
 q suppose he'll have to stand It."
 You're very unfeeling."
 "UnfeelIng, sweetheart! It isn't that We must 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 I hope It won't break her down"
 John made no comment on this. They were Jogging along steadily. She was so absorbed with her thoughts that she paid no attention to the route they were taking.
 "I don't know" she went on. what I'm going to do without papa's kiss every night and morning"
 "I'I give you two" said John, "ln- stead of one"
 I'm"
 They were approaching a house John guided the automobile In to the sidewalk and stopped.
 What's this?" exclaimed the would he bride in terror.
 clergyman"
 That horrld AIr. Parker? I 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 tcctIou against wind and dust drew a veil over her face. The machine chug, ged, the sun shonB down softly, the birds were singing in the trees beside the road. John heard 8 sob. Then Anita took out her pocket handkar- chief, managed to get 1t under her veil and covered her eyes with 1t. If John had been driving a horse instead Of an automobile he would have put an arm about her to comfort her. but his ma chine needed both hands Anita main talned her position. She kept her hand kerchlef over her eyes and occasion ally gave an audible sob. John main taIued silence. Being old for his age he knew that anything he could say