The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-27
THE EVENING STORY
A Double Elopement.
(By Anne Heilman.)


snow from her front porch and then
look obviously at the huge drifts ly-
ing across the road and the slaty sky
above
"They won't come" she assured
herself. Cousin Emma'n never ven
ture out such a day as this. It'll be
| the first Christmas I've ever spent
alone. She sighed unconsciously as
| she re-entered the silent house.
Mrs. Blake lived in the outskirts of
the village of Clifton. She kept a boy
TO do the chores, had a COW and
chickens and lived in a comfortable
way on tiny income. She was Aunt
Hester" to all the young people of her
acquaintance, which was considerable,
Tor she was popular. this worn wo-
man of fifty. Her sad, blue eyes and
Iaded brown hair had a compelling
charm, even under the rusty black
nat which she wore in winter ana
summer alike, and when she smiled
your heart went out to her. You
could have told her your most init
mate troubles, sure of a tender under
standing and sympathy, and that the
commence would go no further.
Inc bright, shiny little kitchen had
the incipient smells of good things for
dinner in it, and Mrs. Blake set to
adding yet another savory odor.
Might as well finish getting the
dinner now I've started it, ran on her
low monotone. She talked to herself
for company. Mercy me, sleigh
bells!" hastily opening the door
Charlie Brock and Elvie Lee, of all
people! Hurry in and I'll get you some
hot coffee. It'll heat you up. Why,
Elvie, what was your father thinking
er?"
Father don't know anything about
it, faltered Elvie miserably.
Mrs. Blake's glance went from one
to the other as she poured the steam
ing coffee. There were little humor-
Gus. indulgent creases in her face.
You are running away" she said.
Elvira hung her head and began to
cry
1T, Don't scold III her, Aunt Hester"
fault. I asked her to co.
We'll. what's she crying about ?''
questioned Mrs. Blake, severely Did
mt she consent, or did you carry her
away by force, Charlie?"
of course he didn't" protested FL
vira, II said I'd go-but wish / hadn't.
and II made Charlie stop hero instead
of going to the minister's. 1 ought to
go back home, I know father'Il be wor-
ried." and her lip began to culver
egain.
We'll he won't be worried long,"
said Charlie, turning from the window.
Hes coming down the road now"
Elvira sprang to her feet.
Don't let him come in, Aunt Hes
terr' she cried excitedly. He'll be mad
at Charlier'
Let him. hercely, from Charlie. ct
don't knows 1 care
Don't say anything hateful to him."
pleaded the girl piteously, will you,
Charlie?"
Don't worry Elvie,' replied the boy
soothingly, Il won't hurt him.
II didn't mean that cried Elvie,
trembling and clineing TO him. IT don't
want him to hurt your"
would you care, Elvie?"
Elvira sobbed Historically, her face
against his coat.
"Of course I'd care"-in muffled tones
you know I'd care
Meanwhile Mrs. Blake watched the
f1oundering horse far down the road.
He'll be here directly" she warned,
you'd better get ahead of him.
But Elvie shrank back.
IT don't want to run away" she wall
ed still clinging to her lover.
Over her head Charlie looked with
despairing eyes at the older woman.
she took the girls trembling hands in
hers. "Elvie," she demanded, do you
love Charlie Brock?"
"Of course I do answered Elvie,
looking at her in surprise.
''Well, then, I don't knows I ought
to advise it, but your mothers dead, |
and your pail never let you marry |
Charlie, because he's too poor; but |
that's no reason for separation young |
hearts You've both got love and health |
and strength and Elvira, you're twen-
ty-four and ought to know your own |
mind. And If you love Charlie and |
amt got the courage to stand up in |
front of the minister, why just stay |
here and let your father take you back |
home. But If you want to marry him.
you'll go now and have the words said
before your father can pull his horse
out Of the drift-and I'll get my wraps
and go with you"
AS she disappeared into the adtoin-
ing room, Elvira looked up into her
lovers face. It'll do it. Charlie she
whispered. aunt Hester's right. she
ION second thoughts I've deter
mined to stay and have 1t out with
the squire" said Mrs. Blake, as she
hustled the young people out to the
around the trembling girl. Don't
worry, Elvie. I'll make it all right
with your father. Mind. you come
back here for your dinner"
she urged. smilingly, as they drove
rapidly away.
But when Elvira's father faced her
at her own f1reside a few minutes
later there was no smile on her tired
face.
family, breaking the silence of thirty
TT wasn't your business. Squire
Lee clustered. but she stopped him
with quiet dignity.
eS, II WAS odHAdCi. ~ vas my /
business not to let Elvira spoil her life
as YOU spoiled yours for you amt
been happy any more'n I have. l
amt sayin' that Elvie's mother want
a good woman, but the Lord makes
two people for each other and puts
them into this world to meet and
marry and die together, and II they
go against His planning they sur
fer" -
He started eagerly to speak, but
she went on rapidly.
"I didn't have enough money FOR
YOU. and you shil1y- shallied between