The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-05-24
CHAPTER VIII.
Gone. \

CHAPTER VIII.
Gone.
| must go. felt, that very after
noon for our marriage license. Now
that Nancy had promised to marry
me on the morrow, she was as anxious
about II as was. At first we had
planned to drive in in the morning
and get the license together, and then
go quietly to the nearest minister
but was ignorant OF such matters
and afraid that II might be refused
with the ink scarce dry upon It. II
would be much safer, | thought, to
leave little margin, and when | got
1 my license. find out beforehand what
would be required OF us.
! was reluctant. however. to leave
Nancy alone, feeling all OF a city
mans doubt OF the safety OF the coun.
try. and disturbed by the thought of
that night prowler, whose hat had but
yesterday disappeared from our road
told Nancy something of my fears
and to my surprise she took them
quite seriously.
Il can go with you." she suggested
"A pretty long walk, I'm afraid"
said. "and you know you are still
little tired from the Salk we took
yesterday. Perhaps though We could
drive In"
go and try the neighbors." said
Nancy, "and II you can't get a con.
yeyance, perhaps you can get some
one to come In and stay with me.
There Is really lot OF work to be
done about the house and 7 have no
right at all to be taking excursions
around the country. I'll go IL you
can get something to drive in. in spite
OF my conscience; but IL you can't,
shall be perfectly happy. II only you
can persuade some woman to come
in and work with me for the rest of
the day"
! made the rounds of my neighbors
without very much success The
horses we're lame. the horses were
busy. there was blowing TO do. and
think their owners looked with some
suspicion on my city clothes. There
Was no telling how such a man as I
would treat horse-fesh. They were
all perfectly willing, however, to risk
their women folk. and softened the
refusal or their horses by offers OF
their wives. Finally had to content
myself with one of the latter. She
was a large, pleasant-faced woman Of
middle age, sensible and assertive,
who would inspire terror. thought,
in the heart of the hungriest tramp.
She came with me with a readiness
which. | am sure, was largely inspir-
ef by curiosity, praiseworthy
enough desire to know what her new
neighbors were like. Nancy was
charmed with her, and with a good
heart / left them together, already
engrossed in our new pals and
brushes.
Doylestown, found, was a little
over five miles away. But what werc
five miles to man on such an errand
as mine? II was unbelievably won
derful that |, Mason Ellsworth, should
ever be going on such an errand at
oil. And for mile or so I went |
lightly, "a one going in a dream and |
desperately afraid that he may awake |
to the cruel realities of every day. |
But overhead the sun was warm, lush |
FIELD ana meadow, sodden with the |
overnight rain, smoked with an earthly |
smell that brought to my city senses
primal STRINGS that thrilled through !
me like wine; birds were stirring cheer |
fully In the hedgerows and thickets, |
and from time to time, l would come !
upon a brown rabbit sentinel, ears
slanted forward at attention, as IL he |
said Pass friend" and then scurried |,
of to herald the news along the road |
After all, 1t was reality, solid. COM |
IN
had gone half way I was striding the |
road like any soldier; love and the |
world lay before me, and come what |
might l felt strongly ready.
Although Doylestown was a little |
county seat, had to inquire my way
10 the county clerks Office, and |
thought as | did so that my infor. |
mant looked al me doubtfully, as IL |
ne wondered who I was and what my |
GRAND. And the clerk himself, when |
had given our pedigrees, as best /
could. and he had made me out our |
license, leaned toward me as one hav. l
ng gossip to impart and wishing \
more.
Mr.. Ellsworth" he said "a friend Il
II yours was asking for you here only
"of mine | repeated wonderingly.
The clerk looked at me sharply. II
I suppose he was" he said. "Un.
ess you owe some one money" and
lie chuckled as II the observation had
,een the qulntessence OF sly humor
(Contlnuea.)
"
Children Cry