Dolly’s Elopement.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue IX, 2 March 1901, Page 386

Dolly’s Elopement.

Copyright Story.

By

ROMA WHITE.

(Author of “A Stolen Mask,” Etc.)

Sir Harry .Merton certainly offended the country by bringing home to Heviston Priory, as his second wife, a touring actress of great repute in the provinces, but he did not offend his only daughter, Dorothy. On the contrary. romantic Miss Dolly, who entertained a consuming passion for the stage, assured Dick X attghan she felt for her father ‘the fullest approbation and sympathy.” Dick frowned a little at this expression of her sentiments. He was a clean-limbed, square-shoul-dered land-owner himself, with no pretensions to opinions on any subject but such as were allied to hunters, turnips and vegetable manures. When Dolly talked enthusiastically about the “artist-life” and the “intoxication of success,” Dick pulled his moustache ruefully, muttered a few words to himself under that drooping appendage, and went home to sulk.until Dolly had recovered her senses. Yet, when the second Lady Merton arrived upon the scene even Dick fell under her charm. She was a tall willowy woman, with bright eyes, and uptilted nose aful chin. She talked in a high stveet. rapid voice, and possessed much versatility of manner. When Dolly kissed her in their first introduction. she exclaimed “You dear!” She also announced her intention of coming down every morning to eight o'clock breakfast, making the declaration in an earnest fashion, much as if she were insisting on going abroad to nurse lepers. And she spent the evening in finding suitable Shakespearean names for all the hens. Sir Harry gazed adoringly at her for about three mornings as she made the tea (telling everybody that she had put in a spoonful for each person and one for the pot). On the fourth morning she declared that the proceeding bored her. and Dolly resumed the duty. On the fifth day Lady Merton made her appearance in a fluffy dressing gown, with her hair delicious but untidy. On the sixth she breakfasted in bed. and openly declared her intention of doing so for the rest of her life. Dolly went up to see her before she was fully dressed, and tried to look unconscious when her step-mother dabbed pearl-powder freely upon her pretty nose. “My dear.” said Lady Merton, making emphatic gestures with the round downy puff, “I was never so happy in my life.” “I am very glad to hear it,” responded Dolly. “Your father is a perfect darling, and country life is what I was originally destined for by nature. It must be hereditary in some way,” went on Lady Merton, whose father had been a hairdresser in the city. “It must,” agreed Dolly, without much enthusiasm. And she added a moment later, “Does heredity ever go by contraries? For 1 hate country life myself. I would like to go on the stage as you did.” Lady Merton dropped her hair brush and turned briskly round with an expression of unutterable dismay. “My darling Dolly. Such a thing would send your father straight off his head! For goodness sake, get rid of the notion at once!” “He couldn't object so very much under the circumstances,” observed Dolly, with a naughty laugh. Lady MVrton became tragic on the spot. “There!” she cried, clasping her pretty slim hands together. “I told your father how it would be! lam a pernicious influence in his house already—a kind of snake in the grass that will rise up and poison his young daughter! You know nothing about the stage, Dolly, nothing at all! It is a wicked place! If you love your father. Dolly, and if you like me the least lift le bit in the world, never mention such an idea as going on the stage in my presence again!” Lady Merton had seized the powderpuff once more, and. in her agitation.

was dabbing frantically at her chin with it, regarding Dolly tragically with her big shining eyes. As soon as she was dressed she went down to her husltand, and related the conversation, almost in tears. “Harry,’’ she said, “the idea must be put out of her head immediately. If once a girl like Dolly gets stagestruck her people will have awful trouble with her. I know it from experience. We must marry her.” “Well, my love, Dick Vaughan is ready and waiting, but Dolly won’t have him. I believe he proposes to her once a month.” Lady Merton gave a little groan. “If he were as poor as a church mouse and played some wretched super's part in a touring company the child would be desperately in love with this time. Go away, Harry and let me think. I want to see what can be done.” Lady Merton had seated herself in an easy ehair by the window. She waved her hand with a little gesture of dismissal towards her husband. “As it is my study which you have invaded, my dear, and as all my papers are in the desk there, perhaps you would kindly think in the morning room,” suggested Sir Harry meekly, but with a twinkle in his grey eyes. Lady Merton laughed and departed. Later in the day she obtained further evidence as to the refractoriness of Dolly’s heart, and the mistaken bent of his aspirations. Sir Harry’s young daughter had a small sanctum of her own. full of knick-knacks and photographs. Among the others was a portrait of a certain actor named Bruce Melville. Dolly had given him the best frame in her possession, and never neglected to replenish a low vase which stood in front with fresh flowers. This afternoon Dick Vaughan, who had come in for some tea, took it upon himself to expostulate with Miss Merton on the presence of the photograph. “It isn’t dignified, Dolly,” he said, frowning. Only’ barmaids arid people have portraits of actors that they don’t know in their rooms.” Dolly- fired up. “If you object to my pictures you shan’t come where y’ou can see them,” she exclaimed. “I’ll never, never, never let you inside my den again.” Miss Merton was as good as her word. The consequence was that Dick again retired into sulky privacy, and that Sir Harry’s wife was in despair. "Bruce Melville is a wretch,” she told her husband, almost crying. “He tried once to persuade me to run away with him.” “Well, my dear, and what prevented it? Prophetic visions of myself?” Not at all. Merely the fact that he had a wife out in Canada. She’s dead now. by the way. Harry, I’ve been thinking. We had better send Dolly on a long wisit somewhere and let her miss Dick for a bit. They have seen too much of each other.” Sir Harry thought this likely enough. So Miss Dolly’ was despatched to a town called Darminster, as guest to a large household of young cousins, with, unfortunately, a strong taste for private theatricals. Thus it came about that a bombshell soon fell upon Heviston Priory. Lady Merton, who continued to breakfast in bed, summoned her husband upstairs one morning by wringing frantic peals upon the bell. When he dashed into the room he found her in tears. ; “Harry'j” she cried. “Dolly has met Bruce Melyilte. It is all over.” Sir Harry- hastily seized the letter that she held out to him.' It contained 6n excited account of some projected theatricals, with the ominous information that Brnce Melville, who was friendly with one of the sons of the house, had come down to stay, and to play’ the lending part. Lady Merton dried her tears and looked her husband full in the face. “Bruce Melville is a scamp,” said she, “and Dolly has twenty thousand pounds in her own right. A catnstro-

phe is certain.” But Sir Harry scouted her fears. “Dolly is a well principled girl,” he said, with a man's usual ignorance of his feminine belongings. “If anything were to arise between them she would let ns know at once.” Lady Merton eyed him for a moment with large scorn. Then she told him to go away. “I'm going to get up,” she said, “and I’m off by the first train to DarHer ladyship was as good as her word. In the course of the afternoon her 'husband received a telegram announcing that she could not be at home for a few days. He felt injured and lonely’. The next morning brought a long letter, confessing that she had been beguiled into remaining and taking part in the theatricals herself. Sir Harry was furious. He hated the idea of his wife appearing upon the boards again, even in private. He would not write to her. and he and Dick Vaughan dined together every night, and talked about Men’s Rights. “It’s all very well chattering about discouraging Dolly’s taste for the stage.” he grumbled—not to Dick, but to himself. “Nothing will so infatuate the child with it as seeing Alicia act.” On the third morning of Lady Merton’s absence Dick Vaughan received a telegram. “Come to Darminster at once and meet me. at two o’clock, at the Universe Hotel. Say nothing to anybody. Alicia Merton.” He went. In spite of his talk about Men’s Rights, he was convinced that her ladyship was elever. When he reached the hotel at Darminster, and asked for her, he was shown up into a private room. She was sitting there in a pale green gown and a picture hat. which wobbled as she grew agitated. In her excitement she called him Dick, under the impression that she had always done so. “It is Dolly!” she said. “Y’ou must get a special license at once! _ ' would have done it for you. but 1 didn't know- who to write to. I think it's the Archbishop.” Dick laid his hat and stick on the table, and sat down. He remained cool. “Why must I get a special license?” he demanded. “Dolly won't marry me!” "She will—she must —she shall! I will lell you what has happened. She and Bruce Melville are going to run away with each other on Thursday.” Dick went pale. "What a brute!" he ejaculated. “Of course he's a brute—he always was. I’ll tell you how I found it out. I knew the minute that I saw him with Dolly that there was something between them. I made no fuss. Thar sort of thing only makes girls ten times worse. But I stayed here to watch. 1 actually made myself pleasant to the wretch. Y’ery soon ne began to talk sentimentally of old times, and positively tried to flirt with me. Even for Dolly’s sake I could not stand that. Then he began giving me his confidence, telling i that I had caught—oh. never mind! I can't repeat it —it’s too odious. Anyway he hinted that I might help him. I told him I knew he meant Dolly, and that 1 would do my best, but that nobody must suspect that I was in his confidence, or Sir Harry would never forgive me. Least of all. Dolly herself must have no idea that I knew anything. It all eame out then. He and Dolly are engaged, and ar planning an elopement for Thursday. They have arranged to be married in the Darminster registry office.” Lady Merton paused for breath, looking tragically at Dick from under the shadow of her big hat. The young man- was staring moodily ai his -boots. “I don't see what I can do.” he said. “Do! You ean do everything. I know all their arrangements—Bruce Melville leaves Darminster to-morrow, after the theatricals. He will come back on Thursday morning, and is to meet Dolly, at twelve o’clock, at the I’liimbton cross-roads. My promised part in the transaction is to place no difficulty in the way of Dolly’s appointment.” “Well?”

“Wi 11, what you have to do is this. It is a bold stroke, but I am convinced that Dolly does not really love Bruce Melville. As for him, it is evi-

dent that he is merely after her money!”

And then Lad.v Merton began to pour into Dick’s ears a neat little plot, which made him laugh, frown, hesitate, and go red with anticipation all in the space of three minutes. When the interview was over, Diek took the next train to Kingston, a town half-a-dozen miles from Darminster, and made his way to the Registry Office there, without delay. On Thursday morning the following incidents took place at Darminster. First, Lady Merton came down to breakfast. Dolly, who looked white and nervons. tried to comment easily and naturally on this reformation, grew hysterical, and was sent to her room with a composing draught. Lady Merton then we.it out alone, and made her way to the station, where she sat down in the third-class waiting-room until the arrival of the express, which was to bring Bruce Melville to Darminster. When the tram eame in her ladyship met the actor, who sprang hastily on to the platform. He was a handsome, elean-shaved man, with an untrustworthy face. “Bruce,” was her greeting, “A dreadful thing has happened.” They had turned out of the station, and were standing opposite a confectioner’s shop. Lady Merton pointed to a notice that-tea was supplied at all hours. “Let us go in.” she suggested. “We can talk lietter.” They entered, and sat down at a small marble-topped table, strewn v .ih c-.:mhs, i lad'-shin took a letter from her pocket. It was signed “your affectionate husband, H. Merton,” but it had been composed by her ladyship, and written by Dick. “Rend that!” said she. Melville read it. It contained the news that every half-penny of Dolly’s money, which had come to her from her mother, had been lost by the failure of a certain business-house in Canada. It was very business-like and technical, for th' c.vospi 'aiors had concocted it with a great perfection of detail. Bruce Melville drummed on the table with his fingers. Lady Merton looked at him sympathetically. “I thought you ought to know,” said she. with a guileless appearance of righteousness. He broke out into stammering. “I say—you know—it’s an awful nuisance. I’ve nothing to keep a wife on.” “That’s just it.” “What shall I do? Carry it through? It’ll hamper me for th. rest of my life.” • Lady Merton seemed to ponder. “If I were you,” said she. very slowly. at last, “I should pretend to know nothing at all about it. but write a little note to Dolly, saying that you think you have both been hasty, and you feel it wiser not to contract a marriage that you may both regret. I will see that it gets into her hands.” Bruce Melville caught at the suggestion. Lady Merton told herself, with suppressed anger, that he was absolutely shameless. He wrote the note with a pen and ink. sunplied from the d< pths of the shop. It ran thus: — “My dear Dolly, I have been thinking things over, and have come to the conclusion that we are about to do a foolish and hasty thing. I have no right to take you from the shelter of your parents without their consent. I have therefore made up my mind not to see vou again ” He looked up. “Shall I put ‘in spite of my undying love for you?’” he suggested. “No—no!” cried Lady Merton, almost betraying her dismay. ‘ D-m t you see that you must show her it is all over. She is the sort of girl who would follow you to the ends of the world, and that sort oi thing! Tell her to forget you!” So Bruce Melville ended his letter with the words, “not to see you again, and I beg you will try and forget me. as I shall try and forget you.” “Y'ou’ve been a brick about this,” he said, as he folded the envelope. “Got me out of a nasty scrape, by George.” “I always like to hold by an old chum,” replied her ladyship, solemnly. He hurried away, then, saying he could just catch the 11.40 back to town. And Lady Merton, armed with the letter, met Dick Vaughan, by appointment, at a quarter to twelve. “Have you got the license, and every-

thing?” said she, excitedly. “Yes. AH serene.” “Then here is the letter. Do not forget to do exactly what I told you." Dick nodded, and went off. He sought the cross-lane of the Plumbton Road. At ten minutes past twelve he reached the trysting-place. It began to rain heavily before he got there, and presently he caught sight of a large and melancholy umbrella waiting patiently by the sign-post. Underneath the umbrella was a small disconsolate figure in a limp white -frock and thin “Hallo, Dolly,” said he, suddenly popping his head under the black silk shelter. Dolly gave a little start and scream. Then she went crimson. “Whatever in the world are you doin" here?” she cried, in a frightened voice, staring at him. “1 came over in purpose to see you. I met Lady Merton in the town, and she gave me this note for you, as she was going to shop. She says that she came across your friend Bruce Melville in Darminster this morning, and he begged her to convey a letter to you. And she told me to ask you what he meant by such impertinence, and to say she should insist on seeing it—she was laughing, you know.” Dolly caught at the envelope and tore it open. Then her flush faded, and she went deadly pale. Crumpling up the letter, she burst into tears. This was too much for Dick. The next moment he had her in his arms, and she did not try to disengage herself. “Tell me what it is. Dolly?” he implored. “Tell me, of your own free will, what it is?” And Dolly was so miserable that she told him. straight away. “And he would have let me wait here in the rain for hours; and. oh! I have written to father, and p-p-posted the letter!” “You've written to your father?” “Yes, to tell him I had e-e-eloped! And he’ll never forgive me, never, never! I hate Bruce Melville—l hate him!” “So do I.” said Dick Vaughan, more than candidly. Dolly ceased sobbing from sheer despair. She looked up at Dick with affrighted eyes. “What in the world shall I do?” she asked. “There is nothing for it,” responded Dick, promptly and tenderly, “but to elope, as you say in your letter. But instead of eloping with Melville, you must elope with me.” “With you?” “Yes. Dolly, darling, say you will. I’ve wanted you for such a long time.” Again she was in his embrace. When she emerged, she spoke miserably. “It’s impossible, Dick. But, oh! I can never, never go home!” “It isn’t a bit impossible! Come to Kingston. Dolly, and we’ll be married within the hour!” “Where?” “In the Registry Office.” “We can’t, Dick. Br— Br —Mr Mel ville said you had to get a license, even there.” “Melville’s an idiot. What does he know about it?” “He’s certainly an idiot,” agreed Dolly, with tearful asperity. “He's nearly b-b-broken my heart! What will father say?” But by this time they were trundling under the umbrella towards the town. Dick would not risk taking Dolly to the station. He escorted her to a small hotel on the outskirts, hired a closed carriage, and Well, two hours later Lady Merton received a telegram. She said “Thank Heaven.” and then went home to tell Sir Harry all about it. The worst of it was that the respectable baronet never could see any necessity for the plot that converted Dolly into Mrs Dick Vaughan. He declared that if Dolly had been brought home, and severely scolded as soon as her engagement had been found out, her proper principles would have prevailed. and she would eventually have married Dick, in a white satin gown, with village choirs, and bridesmaids. But Lady Merton knew better.