Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-12-29

She forestalled every assertion made.
herself bubbling q blusbing in sheer
delight Nor did she lack in charity.
Tapping me with her fan lightly. she
exclaimed: You rogue! know
that you two want to be alone: that
is what you want. Now ! am going
away-just down the room. You will
ride home with us after a time. am
sure?"
Adorable Aunt Betty Jennings!
Elizabeth and looked at her com.
Portable back for some moments be-
fore turned, laughing. to look Eliza
beth in the eyes.
You had no right" began she,
her face growing pink.
Every right" said |. and managed
to find a place for our two hands un.
der cover of the wide founces OF her
figured lawn as we stood. both blush
ing II have every right. | have
truly just seen your father. have
just come from him."
She looked at me intently. glowing.
happily
II could not wait any longer" went
on. Within a week ! am going TO
have an Office of my own. Let us wait
no longer have waited long enough.
Now"
| babbled on. and she listened. II
was strange place enough for be-
trothal, but there al least said the
words which bound me; and In the
look Elizabeth gave me ! saw her an,
swer Her eyes we're wide and
straight and solemn. She did DOT
smile
AS we stood. with small opportunity
and perhaps less inclination for much
conversation my eyes CHANGED to turn
toward the main entrance door OF the
east room saw. pushing through. a
certain page. a young boy OF good
family, who was employed by Mr. Cal
houn as messenger He knew me
perfectly well. as he did almost every
one else In Washington, and with pre-
cocious intelligence his gaze rs;ked
me out in all that throng
lis 1t for me?" | asked. as he ex'
ended his missive.
Yes" he nodded. MIR. Ca houn
told me to find you and to give you
this at once"
turned to Elizabeth. IF you will
pardon me?" ] said She made way
Tor me to pass to a curtained window
and there. turning my back and using
such secrecy as ! could. ! broke the
seal
The message was brief. To be equal
ly brief | may say simply that II
asked me to be ready to start for
Canada that night on business con.
uected with the department OF state!
OF reason or explanations 1t gave
none
{ turned to Elizabeth and held out
the message from my chief: She
looked at It. Her eyes widened.
|'Nicholas!" she exclaimed
elizabeth" said |. turning to her
swiftly. II will agree to nothing which
will send me away from you again.
Listen. then" ! raised hand as she
would have spoken. Go home with
yOuI huht pObty 40 OWN 40 you Soh'
Tell your father that tonight at six
shall be there. Be ready"
What do you mean?" she painted,
saw her throat futter.
81 mean that we must be married
tonight before I go Before eight
O'Clock ! must be on the train"
when will you be back?" she whis-
pered
"How can I tell? When ! go. my
wife shall wait there at Elmhurst, In
stead of my sweetheart"
She turned away from me, contem-
plative She. too. was young. Ardor
appealed to her. Life stood before
her. beckoning. as to me. What couid
the girl do or say?
I placed her hand on my arm. We
started toward the door. intending 10
pick up Aunt Jennings on our way
AS we advanced, a group before US
broke apart ! stood aside to make