The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-06

she said do ali people have trouble
Ike this?''
I when they elope." explained Bobby
calmly. You don't have time to fix II
with the minister
II don't think that 'lopfngAs much
fun" ventured Nancy. but Bobby's
hook silenced her Tosether they
trudged along in silence until the
houses were passed and the road to
Riverside lay bare and lonely before
them.
The shadows were closing in, and
there were clumps Of trees that made
patches of dark. just the sort that
bears love to hide IN.
For the benefit Of his lady Bobby
kept up brave front, but his clasp on
the tired, dirty little hand that lay
within his own frightened when the
dark places came, and the sturdy lit
tie legs were urged to greater speed
until the danger point was passed.
The dark was closing in now, anG
Nancy's plump little legs were not as
strong as Bobby's. and. though she
bravely sought to hold the pace, she
Jagged behind.
At last, in spite Of her fortitude, she
had to give in and sank with a little
sob on the grass beside the roadway.
81 just can't go any more, Bobby
she walled. "It seems like we most
walked round the earth"
"It's only little way now," urged
Bobby, "an maybe the minister will
ask us to stay for supper
The mention of food was the last
straw. Fatigue had prevented the
thought Of hunger, but now Nancy
knew that she was famished.
A school lunch is not calculated to
last until Z O'clock, and Nancy remem-
bered that there was to be jelly cake
for supper.
At the sound of the sobs that shook
her tiny frame Bobby knelt beside her
and sought to check the flow of
tears, but not until she had cried her
self to sleep on Bobby's shoulder did
silence come.
Bobby himself felt very much like
crying. but that would never do, and
he held back the tears while he stared
bravely into the dark, his arm protect
ingly about the sleeping Nancy.
It seemed to him ages passed as he
sat there in the silence and the dark
No wagons came along, though once
an automobile shot past at speed
that rendered his cry unavailing.
The passing of the car only served
to make the loneliness the more pro
nounced, and when two more great
yellow eyes shone far down the road
Bobby gently lowered the golden head
from his shoulder to the grassy bank
and sprang to his feet. Perhaps If he
waved his arms they would see and
stop.
Nearer and nearer came the lights
and he stood directly in the yellow
patch the lamps made in the white
dust Of the road. 10 his great reI1e1
the car slowed down, and from be
hind the curtain Of light that halt
blinded the tired eyes came the wei
come sound of familiar voice. Bobby
sprang forward to throw himself into
the strong arms of his big brother.
you're a fine pair of runaways,' u
cried Howard 'We have been search
ing the roads for nearly two hours"
"Is Nancy with your" demanded an
anxious voice from the car, and Bobby
knew that Nancy's sister was there
too.
She gave little cry when Howard
brought the girl to her and covered
the tear stained face with kisses.
Howard made up bed in the tonneau
for the children and ran on to where
the road permitted turn toward
home. Bobby was not sleepy now,
and he stood,leaning over the back OF
the front seat watching the car eat
up the road.
eve was eloping lovely" he said
plaintively, until Nancy got tired.
Now s'pose this spoils it all.'
81 guess it does. old man." was the
laughing comment. Suppose that you
give me your proxy" --.-.--.--
"What's proxyf' demanded Bobby
curiously. f,.fr
'1ts this way" explained Howard
as he let the car slow down. eff you
want to do something, but don't have
time or for some other reason you
can't, you appoint a proxy to act fol-
you. appreciate highly your endeavors
to unite the Hartman and Seaton fam.
lilies, but, since your scholastic duties
prevent the consummation of your
laudable intentions, propose that you
constitute me your proxy in the prem
ises. might add that in consideration
Of this demonstration of your conf
dence in my integrity I am prepared
to reciprocate with the donation OF
: one bright silver half dollar In the coin
Of the realm" .. .--g.
Bobby regarded his brother suspi
ciously. He never could tell just what
4 Howard was up to when he used the
big words, but the proffer of halt
dollar was a business proposition, and
he stretched out his hand.
The exchange was made and How
ard turned TO the girl
':Etta," he said gently, sit would be
q shame. to frustrate the plans Of these
two innocents. Don't you think, dear
that you might act for Nancy and
make this marriage by proxy an as
sured fact?'' tG
For a moment the girl hesitated
then she half turned in the seat.
eft would he q Sbama-to cDoiI tba;,