Middletown transcript., 1911-03-04
MA SINGULAR ELOPEMENTc
BY CONSTANCE MORTON
BY CONSTANCE MORTON

G
| many favors / would be free I,
go.
You've paid them back In
measure you We lived with then
sang and played and read 4
them-they cant be permitted
to absorb all the sweetness o
your youth, Della! You are en-
titled to your happiness and i
they only would look at it ID the
right way you could make then
just as happy if We we're married
They wouldn't let me elope
quavered Della.
Idon't intend to take them in,
to our confidence, said Willis
grimly. Listen to me.
Della listened to such purpose
that the next evening found her
lowering around the entrance
gates to the Deane estate, her
slim form enveloped in . long
cloak and black bag gripped
nervously in one hand.
From her hiding place among
the rhododendrons she could see
the tall angular form of Miss
Amabel passing to and fro be-
fore the lighted windows while
she heard Uncle Philo's blss
viol drumming IN the library.
Then motor car whisked
suddenly out Of the darkness
and came to a standstill before
the gate. Della rushed out and
was taken into Willis arms for
brief instant before he placed
her in the tonneau. He uttered
word to the chauffeur and they
sped away.
How many miles is it to Beake-
vile? asked Della.
Twenty fve-we'll get there
about ten. I went over this
morning and made arrangements
with Mr.. Frayle; he will have
the proper witnesses. After the
ceremony I'll call Miss Amabel
on the telephone and announce
our marriage and if she won't
give Us her blessing we'll have o
set up housekeeping without it.
I'd rather have their blessing,
said Della.
So would 7, admitted Willis.
The machine rolled smoothly
along the roads, the headlights
making two triangular patches
OF white that threw the surround.
ings into blackest shadow. For
an hour they rode in silence,
occasionally meeting another
blazing-eyed monster. Up hill
and down inclines they recogniz-
ed few landmarks; they had the
quiet hour to themselves and
this meant much since Willis
courtship had been carried on
under difficulties.
At last they drew up before a
dark portico, the chauffeur jump
ed down and opened the door
and assisted them to alight. A
door swung open to receive them,
they were hustled along a dark |
and narrow hallway to emerge
into the blazing deans drawing
room where Rev. Mr.. Frayle
stood smilingly expectant under
q huge marriage bell Of roses and |
smilax. Miss Amabel in black
velvet and Uncle Philo, also in
gala attire, stood, grim sentinels,
in the middle of the stately room.
Della cried out and hid her
face on Willis arm.
] don't understand, said the
young man stiffly, his face pale
with displeasure.
II Della must be married, she
shall be married at home and in
proper manner, said Miss Amabel
severely. guessed you would
try to elope and so / prevailed
upon MIR. Frayle to come here
and perform the ceremony-and
Philo bribed your chauffeur to
drive you around for an hour and
finally to bring you around to the
little side entrance-and that's
all! If you want Mr.. Frayle's
services, here he is! Now,
Della, my dear-if woman can't
wait until she's thirty five before
she marries / don't believe it
makes much difference when she
marries before that! If you and
Willis hadn't taken our hearts to
be as severe as our faces are, you
might have realized we could be
persuaded to your way of think
ing! Now, Willis, dol look as if
my name should have been
Mehitable? Miss Amabel act.
ually smiled.
Oh, you heard, Miss Amabel,
am SO sorry, apologized Willis;
then as be helped Della to re.
move her hat and cloak he threw