The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-01
nv DONALD ALLEN.

Literary Press.)
Miss Ruth Russell and Mr.. Charles
Bennett had arr, ed at a point. Mis-
Ruth was eleven years old and Mr.
Bennett was two years older wher
their fathers quarreied about CUES
ton of chemistry or Jurisprudence OF
something or other. and the boy and
girl used to make up faces AT eacf
other over the line fence.
The professor would not admit tina
under any circumstances could he b
wions. ne had gone over the CUES
tion, whatever 1t was. a hundred
times, and he could not find any flaw
In il on which to base q change o.
opinion. He must. therefore, con
slider Judge Bennett a blgoted ass ant
drop his acquaintance.
Judge Bennett hadn't had to turr
the question over in his mind. HI
knew he was right from the start
and he knew the professor was wrong
On most any other question he woult
have given up, but on this-neverl
There was no open hostility.
was simply understood that the prin
cipals and their families avoid eacl
other altogether, and that the Ben
nett goat and the Russell dog should
not cross the line between the TIVE
estates. When the gentlemen me
there were two cold and distant bow!
nothing more.
It's only natural philosophy that j;
girl of eleven and boy of thirteen
may make up faces at each otner q
that date, and yet at nineteen ant
twenty lone DO In low. with each other
1t worked out that xay In this case
Until they were actually engaged
neither one seemed to remember th'
bat ha fafnnra
Never since the misunderstanding hat
one father spoken to the offspring o
the other. In fact. as tho Year.
drifte: past. the bov anu girl driftet
out OF recollection. Now the youni
,olks were engaged and had nice
little running ahead OF them.
My father Will never CONSENT an
uounced Mis- Rut n
nounced Miss Ruth.
Nor mine, either"
"Oh. IL they only had not quar-
eled."
But you see they did.'
How will you es er go to my father
and ask his consent?"
Never. but I must ask him. II h
refuses me your hand we shall have
lotto"
Commit suicidei" finished Mis-
Ruth.
Young Mr.. Bennett Was deeply II
love. but he wasn't going to shunll
off the mortal coil until he had tried
various other ways and made failures
Of them. He drew long breath
hraced up and set a date to face thu
lion In his den. and when the houl
arrived he was there.
Charles Bennett, eh7" replied thu
professor. without looking up.
Yes. sir
ANY relation TO Judge Bennett"
His son, SIR"
"Eh, what! And you como to mi
and ask for Ruth"
We love each other. sir"
But your father IL dgot. sir-s
hiEot, and, m ass >->ss.,.e. ?. q, ~ g
And he says the same OF you
slr.'
"He does. eh? That shows he Il
worse than ] thought him. You ma,
retire. young man. aave airead.
selected d husband for my daughter
Then followed, an interview with
Miss Ruth. II didn't last long. i
almost began and quite closed With
the father Saying:
Ruth. 1t time you were thinking
OF marriage l have selected q hus
band for YOU" -
"But won't marry hint"
II think you WILL
u know 1 won't. I'll commit sui
eide flIst!''
The lovers had q talk about thu
changed condition Of things. and aftel
eliminating every other course the,
settled on elopcment. Elopements arr
alw avs In order rs last resort
There was no hope that the fathel
would reient. He hadn't pulled a gur
on young Bennett, and he hAdn''
gtood up and declared that he wouit
rather see his daughter In her grave
first, but hadn't he said that he had
already selected husband for her
He hadn't said just who. but. Of course
It was a man Of sixty with money
fe would be jealous, and he would b
finicky and pour MS coffee into thu
saucer before sipping It with : lonl
drawn s-o-u-p-p!
No; an elopement was the molly
thing. Mr.. Bennett would take hia
true love In horse and buggy b
the light OF the moon and drive
away to the house Of Baptist
preacher and have the ceremony per.
formed. He selected Baptis,
preacher. because he had always
heard that In case Of q hot pursuit. :
Baptist could rattle on the cerp
mony in thirty-one seconds by TIN
watch. Miss Ruth was sure there
would be no pursuit: but the wis.,
young man was taking no chances.
buggy arrived. Tho lovers arrived