The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-03-07
WATCHED
LOVERS
By JOHN W. JONES


pride In my case he laughed at watch
fulness-that is, l managed to commu-
Eicate with my love, who was watched
by her mother for the express purpose
of preventing my doing so.
Helen-my Helen-there is only one
Helen for me in the world-was an
heiress and was to be given only to a
husband who could match her fortune
with one of his own. Helen was at an
age where the feminine heart is easily
moved when l was thrown in her way.
I was young myself, too young to con-
slider her fortune. l was altogether alb
sorbed in herself. 1t would not have
made any difference to me if she hadn't
cent. and don't suppose she stopped
to consider whether I was rich or poor
The only spur for both of us was that
we were not expected to love each
other.
We were conscious of the fact that
Helens mother did not leave us alone
together moment. | suppose she real
lied that her daughter. like most girls
of her age, was ready to fall in love
with the first young man with whom
mother did not propose to take any
chances. Circumstances placed me IN
der the same roof with them for a
weeks vacation. and during that time
| was to be given no time to work up
love affair.
yTyOC
mure, retiring creature in the world.
To look at her when her mother was
present-and she was always present
one wouldn't suppose butter would
melt in her mouth. The first evening
we were together the three of us play
ed cards. The second EVENING" was
out most of the day-the mother read
to us from-not a love story. Oh. no.
There was not a bit Of love in the
story, nor was it in Helen's and my
glances-that is. we were unconscious
that it was What was read to us
was report of missionary work in
India.
By the time the third evening came
around the lady. not having noticed
any evidences of interest between her
daughter and me. was content to oc-
cupying herself with some sewing and
permitted us to talk to each other. |
took up book from the table, near
which we all sat. 1t was work call
ed Letters to Young People" |
glanced over few pages and spoke
Of how helpful such book would be
to so many growing into manhood and
womanhood. entering upon the most
critical period of their lives without
the valuable experience of their elders.
In a letter upon "Obedience" l left
the imprint of my thumbnail upon the
two words sweet" and heart" and.
handing the book to Helen. asked her
if she did not think the advice given
in the letter very well expressed. She
took the book and presently returned
it to me open at letter on ''Filial Re-
sponsibility." | looked for thumbnail
marks and found them. They read,
Am l really that to your
The good mother sat quietly over her
work, we'll content with the way she
INTERVIEWING. while we were writing
our cipher love messages. They were
very short and very simple, nothing
like the protestations Of lovers in
books. but there was in them the very
honey of love for US. However, we
dared not work our scheme long lest
the watchers attention be excited. At
10 o'clock sharp Helen was ordered
up to bed and |. having no way to
amuse myself below. went to my
room.
| sat up till midnight writing on the
backs of my visiting cards had
with me. in letters large enough to be
read across room, love messages to
be used the next evening. When that
evening arrived and we assembled in
the library said | felt dull and would
amuse myself with a book. l found
the best light behind the mother.
though | faced the daughter. We had
scarcely got comfortably settled be-
fore | whipped out my cards and held
one after another so that Helen could
see it. Her bushes soon frightened
me off. however. but not before | had
communicated the fact that / would
love her for ever and ever and if lost
her would perish.
found seven days quite enough to
arrange an elopement. During this
time ! had never been alone with the
girl minute and had never spoken
a word Of love to her. True. l had
once taken a fearful risk. When we
were passing out to dinner we drop
ped behind her mother. and l seized
the opportunity to take kiss, That
kiss. though hasty. was nectar for the
gods. the first sip Of wine. the acme
Of bliss.
Well. the upshot of it all was that
Mt the end of the week we were both
missing. We went to clergyman.
were married and returned to my
wife's home. Her mother looked at us
IN wonder The first words she utter