The St. Mary banner., 1922-12-30
Mary's Surprise
Party
BY H. IRVING KING


hand, was q matter Of-tact young mar
10 whom life was as devoid OF III,
trills OF romance as Il problem in Eu
cid. ROmanticism was to him as til,
fourth dimensiorI-und he did mol
bother his head about 1t.
Henry, in his quiet way, was very
Luch in love with Mary and regarded
her romanticism with the greatest in
dulsence, looking upon 1t just as he
would had she been taken with the
Marys love for and reliance upon
Henry, she could not but feel that he
would be greatly improved if he had
il little more romance in his compost.
self and Ioing Well; his parents were
wealthy and would leave him a pretty
plum some day. Also they We're quite
content he should murry Mary Lisle.
Marys father was most prosperous
person, and both he and his wife con-
>idered Henry suitable match for
their daughter. All seemed jogging
along in pro<lic. humdrum manner
Mary took a sudden freak.
Henry" said size one evening when
they We're calmly considering whether
to start housekeeping in a city fiat or
house in the suburbs, Henry, let )
elope -
"Why?" asked the astonished Henry
on She replied with deep sigh,
If we don't l am afraid we shall be
parted.
"Who is going to part us?' said
Henry
We'll" answered Mary, father and
Willie Cameron have been having long,
secret conferences together of late.
Oh, Henry, suppose father should force
me to marrF Willie Cameron"
Nonsense" cried Henry; your IA
ther is trustee Of the Cameron estate.
Bill probably is trying to get his al
lowance increased. Has Cameron or
your father said anything to you that
would justify your suspicions?"
''No-o-O,' admitted Mary, but l am
sure there Is some conspiracy afOot.
Oh, Henry, let us take our fate, our
love, our destiny into our own hands
iy TO some Sequestered nook, and
there plight our marriage vows, scorn-
ng the base and hollow world and
Ill its conyentiOnalities." She cribbed
hat bodily from the last novel she
Iad read.
Great Scott, Mary" said the bewil-
Tered Henry, what in the world are
'ou driving at? We are going to be
married. in two months, anyway-you
'et the date yourself. Where'd you
ret this elopement bugT'
"Oh, there! 1t Is just as / have
cared" cried Mary. "You do not love
my poor broken heart"
When they had finally kissed and
made UP and the conversation had re-
urned again to normalcy the young
nan took his leave, expecting to hear
70 more about elopements. Just one
i Mary's little SPELLS" he thought.
'ut he was mistaken. Mary returned
the charge again and again, until
t last Henry said: well, perhaps
on are right. my dear. Say we do
iope-it might not be such bad idea,
fter all. What date would you sug.
est for the little adventure|
"Oh," faltered Mary, Il don't know
bout fixing any particular date.
we just eloper
Cant be done" replied Henry. 81
ave been studying up on this elope-
lent business and find there is always
definite date fixed for the lover to
ONE under the young lady's window
nd catch her as she falls down the
ope ladder. You don't insist on a
lgh window and rope ladder, though
do you? Your dog Rover bites, and
light interfere with my holding the
dder steady for you by chewing my
during the operation.
hat do you say to touring car and
Hight into the country? / know a
andy inn out at Melchester where
icy serve the best fried chicken in
'e state. Wen motor out early, stop
the town clerks Office and get our
cense and"
"Oh, Henry" interrupted Mary, "do
have to get license? That is so
1T Is, it is" said the young man.
mt 1t Is one of the many forms of
ranny TO which young love is sub
cted-look at 1t in that light and it
III suit you better. AS I was say
g-we will be married by some avail
he Melchester parsOn and have your
Addlng breakfast at the inn while
Waiting parental forgiveness. l have s
:<-i. L.. .;>,- 4. 2