The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-10-21


little more cilcunspect and dignified.
1t Is not always well to allow oneself
TOO much intimacy with any-stranger.
Remember. girls of your station are eX-
pected to submit with all grace and du-
tlIulneSS to the arrangements which
nave been made for them by their
uardians-matrimon particularly.
Let there be no foolishness, Penelope"
But. father. am I not twenty-one
years of age:'
TWENTY-FIVE. to be more exact,
young fellow But remember also that
l am forty-four and you are still in col
lege. Penelope is Il mere baby. She
| ought to be in school herself in short
| frocks. Recolect that you have a repu-
tation to make in your profession; that
you cannot a.rord to throw away your
| opportunities in any such absurd fash
ion, so don't fritter away your time
over sentimental nonsense"
Young Weynan was silent moment
| trying to down the vehement words
that struggled to his lips. His face
was flushed. and his eyes belied the
calmness of the tone in which he re-
| piled:
Il have always respected your opin-
| ion. father in everything. but in this
case | fear that l. cannot abide by it.
| There is one thin" which is every
! mans privilege-lh he choice of his wife;
|
| to Penelope this very evening"
And if she reflSrS-if she is already
betrothed to Sn:lc one elSe:'
impossible. That is
The colonel smiled broadly. But his
head was turned away. When he look
ed back again his face was decidedly
stern. 1T isn't always safe to be too
sure of anything my boy, especially
anything of he feminine gender Give
her half Il chAnce-Say couple Of
years-to change her mind in. and I'm
certain You'll not regret it,
Jack bridled. "Obvously we need
not discuss the question further. sir.
of his head he Stalked out of the room.
and a second later Colonel Weyman
was edited by hearing the front gate
slam to with considerable force. He
laughed heartily for minute or two;
then his face relapsed into sudden Sc
robustness. Upon my word" he unused,
"a fellow ought to he proud to call
woman like Drusilla his wife. By
.Tove. I'll write a note and ask her to
walk with me to Lovers leap this
afternoon I've been a blind man for
twenty years. but I'm blamed if don't
believe see light
Dearest Penelope-You must marry me
Immediately and we can take the
O'Clock train for New York 1t is only
rushing things about twelve months, but
certain events have occurred which make
it essential for us to take this step at
once If you love me enough and think
you can trust me to this extent write
back by messenger and don't fail to say
Yes" Devotedly. JACK.
Dear. Dear Jack-It snail be Just as you
say l will marry you whenever and
wherever you wish. | have been worried
to death all day. Aunt Drusilla has been
limiting about some sort of matrimonial
arrangement Tor me ana saying JUST
dreadful things all around. OF course l
love you, Jack. and am willing to trust
you to the ends of all creation. Your
own PENELOPE.
At breakfast tie following morning
Miss Drusilla opened a tiabby yellow
envelope and read:
We were married last night at my cous-
ms. A message OF forgiveness and your
blessing will reach al the Guests. New
York city. }. W.
A similar dispatch found Colonel
Weyman over his coffee and chops
He chuckled as he thrust the envelope
into his pocket. and his thoughts bark
ed back to Lovers leap.
That afternoon another telegram
flashed over the wires between Plain
field and NpW York city:
You are forgiven since people must be
fools. | know two more who are soon to
| turn one. Accept our blessing.
AUNT DRUSILLA.