Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/66

 up toward the window of the parlor, he saw seated there, looking toward him, a most charming young lady. He was not by any means inclined toward flirtation, but he could not avoid an appearance of interest in her, and he passed on into the hotel. Soon after that the same episode was repeated. By a little investigation, Mr. Gould learned that the young lady was Miss Ellen Miller, whose father, a wealthy New York merchant, was a member of the grocery house of Philip Dater & Co. She lived in a house across the street, and a delightful flirtation with the girl whose pretty face appeared at the window preceded any formal acquaintance. Circumstances, however, permitted them to meet socially, and they became excellently well acquainted. After a few weeks, the acquaintance became more and more intimate and finally ripened into love. Miss Miller's father indicated opposition to their marriage, their desire for which they made evident, and they were compelled to seek some roundabout way to accomplish their purpose. The result was, that after trying several ways to circumvent the unsympathetic parent, they decided upon a secret marriage, and this was actually accomplished. There were no runaway features about the match, except that to avoid the opposition that they were certain would come, they simply walked to a minister's, a short distance from their home, and were married without letting any one know of it. When they returned, Mr. Miller indicated no ill-will at their action, and went to work to make the best of it all. He did