The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-03-29


III shall write to my father and very
soon change the condition of things"
declared Florence.
HE is on his way home and by a
long route, and l do not even know
where to write him myself" responded
Miss Wall.
"Very well, I'll find some way to re-
lieve myself of this unheard-of perse-
cution. I love Neal, he wishes me to
marry him, and intend to do So"
."Never, while 1 am in charge Of
you !" insisted Miss Wall.
ave shall see r.
"We shall -
And Miss Wall did. It was three
days after the climax explosion, and
Florence had not spoken to Miss Wall
In the meantime. She sat In her room
at dusk, mourning over her unhappy
fate, when something whizzed through
the air and fell upon the carpet. Flor
ence went to the spot to pick up a
japanned tin box, as she thought. Then
she noticed that one end held q parch-
ment drum, through which a string
ran, knotted on the inside. The string
trailed out Of the window.
'1t's telephone, toy. one, and
oh, clever Neal" breathed Florence
ardently, and her pulses thrilled and
her eyes sparkled. In an instant she
guessed the source Of this queer visi-
tation. She held the little talking cup
in her hand and stood near the win
dow. 1t grew taut. She applied 1t
to her ear. There was a confused
buzzing sound, then, distinctly:
81 am up in tree, just beyond the
garden wall. Can you hear me? am
Neal"
II can hear you distinctly" replied
the delighted Florence. "Oh, this is
just dellcious-and romantic! I know
you are Neal. There isn't sweeter
voice in the world"
"Do you notice a sort of culver to
the telephone?"
"Why, yes-what about it?"
THAT'S where I'm sending you a
kiss"
"And here are two Of them for you.
Oh, dear Neal what are we going to
do?"
More tender nonsense, and then Neal
Ward developed his plan-elopement
He descanted on the terrible persecu-
tons of Miss Wall, his own deep ankle
ties and worries for her sake. He told
her that he would be beneath her win
dow with a ladder at exactly eight
O'Clock the next evening. An automO-
bile with trusted chauffeur would be
on hand just beyond the rear garden
wall. Eight miles away was clergy
man. Oh, he would make arrange
ment, for anything! Would she con-
sent? And Florence, resenting the
treatment Of Miss Wall and prettily
spiteful enough to outwit this hard
hearted guardian, said yes, and fol-
lowed the word with dozen kisses
over the impromptu telephone line.
'Not a MISS" spoke Neal buoyantly
as, the next evening, up the ladder,
down the ladder, across the lawn, with
Miss Wall unconsciously doing on the
front porch, they passed on rapidly and
EedChcu u CiOScu uutOIuODIlc.
"And how deliciously romantic |"
whispered Florence. smuggling up close
to him. 81 hope papa won't scold when
be gets back. Oh, dear! maybe we
had better wait"
"You understand the route, chauf-
feur?" spoke Neal.
GAIL right, SIR" answered a gruff
voice In front from the muffled-up flg-
ure at the wheel.
Florence was trembling with excite
ment and Neal radiant, as they stood
before the clergyman half an hour
later.
1--WE ought to have a witness to the
ceremony" suggested the minister.
"Will the chauffeur dor" suggested
Neal.
Surely" and Neal went out, hailed
the driver of the automobile, impaired
to him his wishes and was followed by
him into the little parlOr. He was
apparently a gruff, unsociable being,
for he never raised the peak of his
cap nor turned down the enveloping
collar Of his greatcoat.
The ceremony was completed, and
the chauffeur at nod from the cler-
gyman came forward and attached his
name as a witness to the marriage GER.
tificate.
"You have my best Wishes" spoke
the minister blandly, as he handed
Florence the document.
sand my blessing" added the chauf-
feur, with startling suddenness. "Flos-
sic, my daughter, Neal, my mi" and
the cap and coat were flung aside, and,
beaming and chuckling, Mr.. King ex-
tended his arms towards the two run
aways.
"You see, happened to come home
just as that clever telephone mischief
of yours was in play" explained Flos-
sizes father. ut was easy to bride the
chauffeur to let me take his place.
What you will do, Is to go to the city,
and reappear the contrite and fearful
elopers-well, say in three days. Mean
time, the shocked and innocent father,
I will see what can be done with Miss
WALL"
That indignant lady fiounced out Of
he house for good, when she was told