Her First Love Affair
Amelia Barlow was a charming young girl who had reached the age when, in fact, she was neither girl nor woman. She wore braids on Monday, marcel waves on Tuesday, wore short skirts on Wednesday, and long frocks on Thursday. But she was charming withal, and spent most of her spare time in reading 'Along the River,' and other stories of love and romance. Her fond parents were tolerant and granted her every wish until one Mr. Henry made his appearance and announced that he had just passed his exams, and was anxious to take unto himself a wife. Amelia's parents were willing, but when Henry proposed to the young woman, she laughed at him and sent him away in despair. He wore glasses and was of the 'small lemonade' type of suitor. The Barlows were indignant and decided that their daughter must be taught a severe lesson. After a family conference, it was decreed that Amelia must serve a year at clerical work in Mr. Barlow's offices. The girl was duly installed, and on the third day makes the acquaintance of Tom, one of the junior clerks. It appears to be a case of love at first sight and all goes well until the elderly chief accountant discovers his employer's daughter in the embrace of the young clerk. Then it was that drastic measures were decided upon and the family decides that Amelia must be sent to a friend in the country, where she may be able to repent her folly. Tom hears of this determination on the part of Amelia's parents and plans to thwart them in their designs to send their daughter away and deprive the young couple of the happiness which they had planned for the future. Through a signal he summons Amelia to a window and deposits a note in one of the flower bushes which surround the Barlow mansion. In this he imparts the information that he will be on board the same train which will take her to her destination in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow escort their daughter to the depot, and while they are bidding farewells. Tom boards the coach ahead and is unseen by the unsuspecting parents. At the first station out of the city, Amelia and Tom alight and hasten to a minister, where they are married. Then a telegram is sent to Papa Barlow announcing the event and asking for forgiveness.
