The Topeka state journal., 1922-11-18
EDening Story
Mary's EIopement.
BY II. IRVING KING


void of the frills of romance as a
problem in Euclid. Romanticism was
to him as the fourth dimension-and
he did not bother his head about it.
Henry, in his quiet way, was very
much in love with Mary and regarded
her romanticism with the greatest
Indulgence. looking upon it just as he
would had she been taken with the
measles or the mumpss With all
Mary's love for and reliance upon
Henry, she could not Dut feel that he
would be greatly improved III he had
a little more romance in his compo-
himself and doing well; his parents
were wealthy and would leave him a
pretty plum some day. Also they were
quite content he should marry Mary
porous person and both he and his
wife considered Henry suitable
match for their daughter. All seemed
jogging along in a prosaic, hurndruIn
manner to end in a conventional we'd
ding when Mary took a sudden freak.
Henry" said she one evening when
they were calmly considering whether
to start housekeeping in a city flat or
house in the suburbs. Henry. let's
aWhy2" asked the astonished
"oh," she replied with a deep sigh.
''if we don't I am afraid we shall be
parted"
"Who is going to part us?" said
''Well," answered Mary. father and
Willie Cameron have been having
long, secret conferences together of
should force me to marry Willie Cam
eron!"
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 I
am sure there is some conspiracy
afoot. oh. Henry, let us take our
fate, our love, our destiny into our
Own hands, fly to some sequestered
nook and there plight our marriage
vows. scorning the base and hollow
She cribbed tkat bodily from the last
novel she had read.
Great Scott, Mary" said the be-
wildered Henry, what in the world
are you driving at? We are going
to be married in two months. any
way-you set the date yourself.
Where'd you get this elopement bug?"
"Oh, there! 1t is just as I have
feared!" cried Mary. You do not
love me-oh, my poor broken heart"
When they had finally kissed and
made up and the conversation had
returned again to normalcy the
young man took his leave, expecting
to hear no more about eiopements.
Just one of Mary's little spells,' he
thought. But he was mistaken Mary
returned to the charge again and
again until at last Henry said: ''Well,
perhaps you are right, my dear. Say
we do elope-it might not be such
bad idea after all. What date would
you suggest for the little adventure ?''
"Oh," .faltered Mary, '1 don't know
about fixing any particular date.
Couldn't we just elope?"
Cant be DONE" replied Henry. 81
have been studying up on this elope-
ways a definite date fixed for the
lover to come under the young lady's
window and catch her as she falls
down the rope ladder. You don't insist
on a window and rope ladder tho
do you? Young dog Rover bites. and
might interfere with my y<holding the
ladder steady for you by chewing my
underpinnings during the operation.
What do you say to touring car and
a flight into the country? I know a
dandy inn out at Melchester where
they serve the best fried chicken in
the state. Well motor out early, stop
at the town clerks office and get our
license and"
"Oh, Henry." interrupted Mary, do
we have to get a license? That is SO
commonplace"
'It is, it is" said the young man,
but 1t Is one of the many forms
of tyranny to which yonug love is
subjected-look at it in that light
was saying-we will be married by
some available Melchester parson and
have our wedding breakfast at the
inn while awaiting parental forgive
tonight on business. but will be back
week from today. Meet me at the
drug store down the block at half
past nine sharp. the morning Of my
return"
Henry's brisk. business-like man
ner had a way of denaturing the most
romantic proposition. Mary looked
doubtful. But when, he added, NOW
dark secret; let anybody suspect and
we are lost!'-then Mary frightened
up and rewarded his excursion into Fo-
manticisn with many kisses, All the
following week Mary went about with
q mysterious and melancholy mein,
varied by occasional flashes of high
spirits and gayety-and her parents,
watching her, put their heads together
in whispered conferences. The day
and the hour of Mary's elopement ar
rived; she was at the drugstore on
time and there was Henry awaiting
her. He assisted her into an expensive
touring car, at the wheel of which sat
a liveried driver, and away they went;
winding thru the city streets and at
last bowling along the pleasant coun-
try roads. At first Mary was all ami
nation and filled with delight in her
adventure; but as the city was left be-
hind she began to grow thoughtful,
and at last said: >Henry-do you sup
pose we are doing right %
why not? answered Henry. at
was your own idea, your remember"
Yes" admitted Mary, 'I know it
was; but, come to think it over, per-
haps we had better not go on. IL
don't want to eIope any more. Please
take me back"
Nonsense" said Henry. ST have
ordered the wedding breakfast and Sc
cured the parson by telephone-you
wouldn't disarrange everything now
would you?"
Yes, would" cried Mary; please