FALLS IN LOVE WITH
ICE MAN AND ELOPES.
YOUNG GIRL CAUGHT BEFORE
KNOT CAN BE TIED.
Kitchen Romance of Ruth Risley
and Otis Pemberton Ruthlessly
Shattered by Father Send-
ing the Girl Away.
A romance that commenced in the visits of the ice man this summer to the home of G. M. Risley, a dentist at 2628 Myrtle avenue, ended yesterday when Ruth Risley, the 17-year-old daughter, eloped with Otis L. Pemberton, 23 years old. The young couple went to Kansas City, Kas., but on account of the youthful appearance of the girl, the marriage license was refused. When Dr. Risley heard the news and located his daughter, he promptly sent her to Butler, Mo., to join her mother.
"It won't do any good," the girl said firmly when she was placed aboard the train. "It won't be much more than six months until I'm 18 and then I can do as I please."
It wasn't exactly love at first sight, for the young man had tramped through the kitchen several times before the daughter of the household realized that he was good looking and that he was more cheerful than the average ice man who grumbled when he had to carry ice to the far end of the ho use. The ice man's visits were sometimes prolonged and in time the young folk began to converse in a friendly manner.
ELOPEMENT IS PLANNED.
Miss Risley discovered to her satisfaction that the young man talked in a pleasant manner, and was in no way inferior to her classmates at the Manual Training High School.
Evening calls followed and the family began to notice that the well dressed young man who was so attentive bore a striking resemblance to the ice man who came every morning. When the parental storm broke, plans for an elopement were made.
"We can get married in Kansas," was Pemberton's comforting assurance. "Just say that you are 18, and it will be all right."
It wasn't so easy when they faced the man in the recorder's office.
"Yes, I'm 18," said the girl, falteringly.
The man behind the desk grinned in a tantalizing manner and expressed his doubts. Then a lot of questions followed, and in the end Miss Risley admitted she was only near-18. There was nothing to do but return to the Missouri side, which the young couple did.
"Perhaps my mother will help us," said the young man, so they went to his home at 2717 East Fifteenth street. A strange man met them at the gate.
"I AM A DETECTIVE" -- FOILED!
"My name is L. D. Jennings, city detective," explained the stranger. "Sorry that I have to take you to the police station."
It didn't do any good to remonstrate and the would-be elopers accompanied the officer to police headquarters, where they were met by Dr. Risley, who wasn't in an altogether amiable frame of mind.
"You will join your mother at once," he said when he was told that they had not succeeded in tying the wedding knot. "No more of this foolishness."
