The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-18
A Midnight
Elopement

feet. He had read three evening pa
pers, played a couple of games of soil
taire, looked out of the windows of his
apartment o Madison avenue, and
cleaned his pipes. At last, in despera-
ton, he rang for his valet.
Talbot" he said, when his servant
entered, I'm bored again. Shall I go
bed?"
mo, sir. I'd take a bit of a stroll,
SIR" his servant answered.
Excellent idea, Talbot" cried Lord
Jocelyn enthusiastically. Bring me
my boots" 4
AS he put them on the last traces
Of ennui vanished from his counte-
nance Walking was to Lord Jocelyn
the best refuge against that state of
mind when the world commencea to
look stale and improbable, for a
stroll about the city seemed equivalent
to a plunge into unknown depths,
fraught with possibilities. Since he
had been in New York the enthusiasm
he felt for America had steadily in
creased.
you may talk about romantic Lon
don," he said to his friend Jack Stan
field, but I tell you it doesn't begin
to compare with this city. With us
the improbable is a possibility; with
you It Is a fixed condition"
He passed into the street and start
ed walking at a brisk rate In the d.
rection of Madison square.
Nov here, for example," he said,
halting and looking up at the electric
lights which cleaned through the
thick foliage Of the trees-"here is the
very deuce of romance; a primeval
forest within the city's heart. Who
knows but that any moment some
thing may happen-yes, even an ad-
venture?"
Just then he bumped into a pedes-
TRAN. and turning, perceived that
this was Jack Stanfield himself.
TITS begun" said Jocelyn solemnly.
What's begun?" asked Stanield ir-
r!tably.
"What?' repeated Jocelyn. why,
my adventure. Come along, Jack;
fate had evidently decreed that we are
to STARE 1t in company"
"I'm In no mood for adventures"
said his friend shortly. I'm going
home"
and I am going home, toto your
home" answered Jocelyn gayly, TAX
ing him by the arm.
Look here" said Stanfield, olsen
gaging himself suddenly when they
had proceeded some distance in ST.
lence, Il don't feel we'll. I'm going to
bed. I'm sick"
Lord Jocelyn's heart was a soft one
and felt genuinely concerned.
"Then Ill come in and doctor you,"
he said. TITS the grippe you've got.
Evsrybody's got II. Now we'll stop at
Z drug store and get some mustard
plasters, and as soon as you're in bed
I'll put one on your chest and an
other"
20, the devil!" said Stanfield explo-
sively. "See here, Jocelyn, I'll tell you
the truth. The fact is, / don't want to
see anybody. I'm leaving town to-
night, and what's more, / don't know
when I shall be back"
I'm leaving town also-with you,"
said Jocelyn. cts no use talking,
Jack. Much as / hate to intrude upon
your. thoughts, fate sent me out to-
night to have an adventure, and you
are obviously destined to bring it to
me-"
stanfield stood stock still upon the
sidewalk and regarded his friend un-
certainly. Then he thawed out.
81 do seem inhospitable, old man,
don't II" he said. But the fact is
I'm in a deuce of a fix. I'm going to
be married tomorrow"
"Ah, no wonder you're leaving town.
Honeymoon-or running away?"
Come up to my rooms and I'll tell
you," Stanaeld answered. I'm in
trouble, Dick, and l want 4 friend
want him badly"
Jocelyn accompanied him and the
friends walked on in silence. Present
ly they stopped at al old-fashioned
house on a quiet street leading out to
Fifth avenue. It had been built before
the day of the elevator; but, once the
climb up the dark stairway was con-
cluded, Jocelyn entered a spacious
oak-panelled room that would have
shamed many an abode in the new,
sumptuous apartment houses that
have sprung up Of later years in fash
tonable residential quarters. The
door was just now strewn with person
al belongings in the shape Of books
and articles Of attire, while others
bulged out Of two gaping suitcases.
"sit down, Dick" said Stanfe]d, In
dicating a chair. There's whisky;
help yourself. There are cigar
cites. Now hear me, old man.. and fol
the Lords sake, help mel"
Jocelyn sat down obediently. He lis
tened avidly, for he sensed the fact
that his adventure had begun.
I'm engaged to be married." hit
friend commenced. "Her name
though that isn't important-is Eileen
l.. Hn"r. +..t-.l' '... .. 90.