The Ordway new era. (Ordway, Colo.) 1902-1927, 1913-02-21
A Strange
Elope1nent
By Chester May Weldon

few feet Of the windows Of Judge
Kendaps home. just as the clock 10
the city hall could be heard striking
the hour Of ten the window was noise
lessly opened and a slim, girlish figure
dropped to the ground.
The man Instantly stood by her
side. Gust In time, dearest janet
he said softly. and catching her by
the arm added: "COme quickly"
They sped swiftly through the
shadowy grounds and out upon a de-
serted country road. which they
followed for short distance and then
cutting across a meadow soon came to
the frozen river. Dan swung two
pairs OF skates from his shoulder and
10 flash had fastened one pair upon
the girls sturdy little shoes and the
other on his own boots.
Now we are of, he said gaily, as
he caught Janet Kenda's hand In his
and they struck for midstream. Then,
for the drst time, the girl spoke,
Goodbye, dearest dad and dear
Oakland" she said, with a soft laugh
which very nearly ended in CULVER
ing sob.
With easy, swinging strokes the
dim, shadowy pair started on swift
flight of five miles down the river to
the town of s. 10 the neighbor.
ing state.
Janet Kendall was the only daughter
Of Judge Kendall, a prominent lawyer
and politician OF O.. Young
Dan Easton, also lawyer and politi-
clan. although Of exactly opposite
political views to the ones held by
the Judge, had fallen In love with,
Janet and had asked her fathers con
sent to their marriage. This Judge
Kendall had steadfastly refused, not
from any dislike to or>any fault Of the
young man personally, but on account
of his genuine hatred OF EastOn's
political views. The young lawyer
had once said to Kendall that he did
not like to be forced to commit
theft, but he feared he would be driv-
en- to IL. The judge, thinking this to
be an idle threat To cause him to
yield, paid little attention to IL. The
younger man waited patiently, but4s-
the father made no change 10 his
decision the elOpement was planned
and was now being carried out success
fully as far as we have seen.
On this eventful night Judge Ken
dal and his wife were spending the
evening away from home, thus clear.
ing the coast for the runaways. On
their return Mrs. Kendall went to her
daughters room, as was her custom,
to bid her goodnight. Finding the
room vacant, she Instantly reported
the fact to her husband.
"Confound that young rascal Eas-
ton; l know that he has persuaded
Janet to elope with him." exclaimed
the judge, 10 purple fury. The
tracks OF the runaways we're soon
discovered In the snow and the pair
were traced to the rivers edge.
Surprising they had gone to s.
the father instantly started for that
place.
In the meantime Janet and Easton
had reached their destination and
after a short time found q minister
and we're married in great haste and
with little ceremony. just after the
knot had been tied and they were
preparing to Leave hasty footsteps
were heard upon the porch and the
door was thrown open. Judge Kendall.
looking like thundercloud and all
out OF breath, stood before them.
"Just in time" he painted; then
turning to Easton he exclaimed: "You
young scamp, how dare you come to
my home and deliberately steal my
daughter" and without waiting for
an answer rushed furiously on: Janet,
shall put you under lock and key for
this. The very idea Of your sneak
ing"
Judge Kendall" calmly broke 10
Easton, "allow me to present my wife,
Mrs. Daniel Easton."
WIN snOrI OF rage Cne Datlle0
father sank into chair and gazed
stupidity at them for moment aud
then exclaimed:
"You don't mean to tell me-"
II most certainly do" replied Eas-
ton.
"Well, Of all the high.handed"-
began Judge Kendall; but Janet, seat.
ing herself upon her fathers knee,
said coaxingly:
"Come, father, you will forgive us;
you know you would like Dan II you
would only forget your horrld old
politics. now wouldn't you?"
II guess that's about SO. Janet" re.
piled the judge. with grim smile, as
I hi. Slnwly roSa and aYtandad his b,,d