AN ELOPEMENT TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 15, 9 April 1892, Page 378

AN ELOPEMENT TRAGEDY.

Time, midnight. Place, the shady side of the Billus dwelling. Ladder against side of house. Ardent youth half way up ladder. Palpitating maiden leaning out of upper window, conversing in agitated whispers with ardent youth. Horses and closed carriage in charge of discreet driver at convenient distance round the corner. Moon disappearing behind friendly cloud. Coast clear. Landscape wrapped in repose. Billus mansion similarly wrapped . Bessie Bill us—‘’Sh, Arthur ! Not so loud I Is everything ready ?’ Arthur Chugwater burning with lover-like zeal, but unable to keep his teeth from chattering—‘ Everything is bb b b-b— ready, dearest I B b-b b—come Bessie. Its ch-ch ch-chilly, and ’ ‘Oh Arthur, I’m afraid ’. ’ ‘ Afraid, d d darling? You can’t fall. 111 catch you.’ ‘Sh ! I don't mean I'm afraid of falling, Arthur, but suppose papa should • Isn't—b b-b—papa asleep by this time ? ’ • Yes ; I m sure he's asleep, but suppose he should wake up ’ ’ •Is he—g g-g—in the habit of waking up at unseemly hours of the night ? ’ ‘ O dear, no ’ But I— I’m so ’ (Impatiently' ‘So am I—f-f-f—dearest, and its getting colder every minute.’ (Leaning a little further out) ‘ Are you sure, Arthur, you love me as well as ever ? ’ (Impetuously) ‘ Love you, Bessie? Why —b-b-b —Great Scott ’. I ■’ •Sh Don't whisper so loud, Arthur I Have you got the license ? ’ •We don’t need a—ch ch-ch—license to get married in Wisconsin. Got vour wraps ail on, Bessie ? ’ ‘ Yes. ‘ I haven't I— b b-b—left my overcoat in the carriage, and it’s getting ’ (I’neasily ‘ Oh, Arthur ! I’ve just happened to think !’ ‘ What is it, dearest ? ’ ‘ Suppose we shouldn't find a minister after we get across the line *.' •Not tied a minister? Suffering Moses? Wisconsin is full of preachers ’. ‘ And suppose—hark ’ ‘ What is it ? ’ • I fancied I heard something ’ ‘lt s—b b b-b—one of the horses whinnying. Hurry, dearest ! The train leaves in half an-hour, and it will take us nearly twenty minutes to ’ ‘ But, Arthur. I’m afraid it isn’t right 1 ’ ‘ Bessie, see here ' ‘lt will just break papa’s heart ! I know it will You’ll always be good to me, will you, Arthur?’ ‘ Be—ch-ch—good to you ? So help me ’ ‘ Sb ! Arthur '. Don't swear ' ‘ Hurry. Bessie, for the love of—- • Venturing out on the ladder ‘ Well, Arthur, I’m coming. But remember—‘ Assisting her down the ladder • Oh. yes, I’ll remember ! Careful now Steady There I We re down ! ’ Clutching his arm wildly ‘ Oh, dear . I feel as if I must go back Where—where did you *ay the carriage was ? It will break papa - heart and mamma will faint I I know she will!’ Recklessly ‘ Let her faint ! Come, darling, b b b—it’s only a *hort walk to the carriage. Wildly) ‘ Must I go ! Must I break the heart of an indulgent father and blight the life "f a tender mother? Must I leave the cherished home where I have always been ’ • Come, darling ’. ’ ‘ Where I have always been ’ Papa Billus thrusting his head out of the upper back window and speaking in a cold, hard, business like voice ! — ‘ Don't forget your trunk, Bessie ?'