The Washington herald., 1908-01-12
A DOUBLE ELOPEMENT
By ANNE HEILMAN.

said Mrs. Blake, as she hustled the young
people out 10 the cutter and wrapped a
warm rug around the trembling girl.
| Don't worry, Elvie; I'll make IL all
right with your father. Mind you come
straight back here for your dinner" she
urged, smilingly, as they drove rapidly
away
But when Elvira's father faced her al
! her own fireside a few minutes later
there was no smile on her tired face.
Yes, I helped them" size said de-
family, breaking the silence Of thirty
years
1t wasn't your business" Squire Lee
clustered but she stopped him with quiet
dignity.
Yes. it was. Samuel II was my bust
ness not to let Eiyira spoil her life as
you spoiled yours, for you afn't been
happy any moTe'n / have. I amt sayin'
that Elvie's mother want a good wom-
an, but the Lord makes two people for
each other and puts them into this world
to meet and marry and die together, and
If they 90 against His planning they
suffer"
He started eagerly to speak. but she
went on rapidly
didn't have enough money for you,
and you shilly-shallied between me and
Ida. and finally married her without
sayin word 10 any one and scat last
/ married Isaac. lie was good hus-
band. sudden impulse OF loyalty to-
ward the dead surged within her.
'Hetty," a Joyous warmth breaking
into the squire's voice. "Hetty. YOU said
you said any mOTe'n you were Do you
mean that you've cared, too. all these
years? Have you, Hetty?' with com
peliing eyes on hers,
Yes, she answered simply. I've
cared. And there hasn't been a dav In
all these years when I've seen Won grow
ing harder and harder that I aiDit said
10 myself He'd "a been different If he'd
married the woman he loved. Elvie's
Just ike you. Shed keep Charlie off
and on, and some day she'd go and
marry somebody else and be miserable &"
Il didn't mean her TO be miserable +"
the squire stammered slowly. A great
wonder held him fast Was this the
quiet, self-repUessed woman who an
these years had sat across the aisle from
him every Sunday morning in church.
this slender, vibrant creature trembling
IN the might of her demand for bappi-
ness for his motherless girl? Was this
the woman whom he had believed with
out feeling?
"Hetty" he cried, and held out his
hand,
She took it and stood looking sadly up
at him.
'Hetty, I didn't think you cared-in
that way I thought you hated me for
the way I'd treated yOu-after goin' with
you for two years. 1 never thought Won
missed me as I've missed you all these
years. I'd give them all only to live
over the two happy years when we kept
company. How different"
You've remembered the widow cried.
and her wan cheeks flushed. I'm very
lonesome here, Samuel. but 1 won't be
any more when I know you've remem-
bered-now 30 out and put I'D your horse.
Iommy's away for the holidays an I'm
all alone. The young fOlks're coming
back here for dinner and you must ioin
US. sociable like, an forgive them for
running away"
"Hetty.' pleaded the squire, the light
OF determination in his eyes, lets run
away, too! Ny horse Is bettern Char.
lie'si Wen get TO the parsonage mos. as
quick as they do Here, put on vour
wraps" he commanded
No, no, Samuel" her face flaming
Not after the way talked-it looks as
though I was hintin'-"
We've wasted altogether too much
time already, Hetty, Put this scarf over
your ears; it's too cold for a bunnit."
Oh, Samuel, we're too old to be so
foolish" she faltered.
We're not too old to love" he assured
her as he tied on the scarf.
Copyright, 1903 by G. H. Sutelifel