The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-02
Ole
Harridan-OrmsIe
Elopement
ny Mary MOOD
COPYRIGHT. i0O6 BY c. n. sutoline
ny Mary wood

oGhGd AAhEHleErt Ncu HlAEEu ana uuueE-
sized. but that did not prevent her
from being a power in her world. At
the young ladies' seminary she was the
acknowledged leader as well as the
most intimate friend of her twelve
classmates. each of whom had the
promise OF being bridesmaid at her
wedding. In this they were president,
since Thorndyke ormsley had for some
time made ner 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 Tor a suitable
match for their president.
Katrina, however. viewed the matter
from a different standpoint. As she
conided to her youngest sister Pamela:
There is something restful In Thorn
dykes conyentionality. | always know
just what to expect from him, and l
fancy that 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.
BE was too well regulated a young
man to propose to Katrina without
having first spoken to her father. This
was procedure that the astute morsel
Of girlhood had foreseen and arranged
for.
AS he afterward complained to Ka-
trina: Il cannot understand 1t. Your
father was brusque, nervous, quite un.
like himself. All that could get him
TO say was that you were too young
and that he entirely dlsapproyed.
When ] tried to argue, Pamela came
in, and be intimated that the inter-
view was closed"
Katrina buried her face in his Shout
der. "oh, dear, oh, dearg' she walled.
What shall we do?"
Thorndyke attempted to comfort her,
and be found the process so agreeable
that he prolonged 1t for some moments
before saying soothingly: do not be
discouraged, dear, win call on him
again. He must be made to see rea-
son." As 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.
why notT'
Because / 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, so that another wedding is
out Of the question. You don't know
what a wedding costs. We have had
Eve. So we do. There would be the
presents and dresses for those twelve
bridesmaids, the flowers, music, cater
er. trousseau-oh. 1t is awfulg' and she
clasped her hands despalringly. Papa
is always so good. He wanted to mort
gage the house. but 1 said no."
Light had begun to dawn upon orms-
ley. Let me, Katrina" he began.
Two red spots appeared in Katrina's
cheeks. And have us all ashamed to
look you In the facep Neverl Pamela
and have decided never to marry IN.
less we elope."
Thorndyke ormsley stifened. THAT
Is impossible"
Katrina began to cry in earnest. 81
always knew that you were proper.
but / never thought you were so hor.
ribly 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 l love you better than
anything else In the world" he said
tenderly. ut is not entirely on nv
own account that object. There Is
Aunt Harriet. She would be utterly
scandallzed by an elopement. Is It
right to distress her when she has done
everything for me and I am all she
hasT'
At this virtual capltuIation Katrfna's
tears ceased to flow. s'Then IL 1 get
AdnA LaEtlel COuseuI you VIII be
willing to eiopeFt she asked gullelessiy.
Il would do anything to marry you"
he answered, with unusual reckless.
ness.
Katrina threw her arms around his
neck. Then It is as good as settled"
You don't know Aunt Harriet
ormsley admonished.
Eyes. do. And. what is more.
wager that IL you do exactly as tell
you she herself win suggest an elope
ment."
So the two put their heads together
Most men would have wished them.
selves 10 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
comedy. Katrina refused to admit the
possibility OF tragedy.
Miss Harriet ormsIey lived in a big
old fashioned house called the Larches.
She had the only victoria in town, her
butler always stood behind her chair