"Oh, that is it!" exclaimed the mayor, with a look of relief coming over his face. "An elopement, eh?"
"All is fair in love, you know," laughed the young man, leading Ida into the parlor, his host preceding them.
"Who are you, and who is the young lady?" inquired the man.
It was Royal's turn to hesitate now. If he found out that the young girl clinging to his arm was the heiress of the Mays, would he not refuse to perform the ceremony until they could be communicated with?
"I am Royal Ainsley," answered the young man, affecting not to hear the last part of the question; and Ida, thinking she was called upon to speak, responded, promptly:
"And I am Ida May, sir."
The mayor wheeled about quickly.
"What! Did I hear you say the name May? Are you the young girl stopping at the Ocean House whom they call the niece of the Mays?"
The girl was trembling so she could not answer.