The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-28
HER CANINE CHAUFFEUR
Bv BENNETT MUSSON

"Your father may be on that. Why
don't you run down to the station with me
and meet him." Oakley said.
Florence looked up at him quickly. "Why,
I-I'-she began, but Oakley was leaning
toward her, the moonlight shining on his
face and lighting his gray eyes, which
were fixed on hers.
Five minutes later the automobile was
running along the country road, contain
ing one uneasy and one triumphant per-
son and followed by g. white, four legged
creature whose under jaw protruded at
the angle of determination and who pa
tiently blinked away the dust aroused by
the flying monster in front.
The hands of the little red-faced clock
in the tower of the station pointed to a
quarter of the hour, and they passed on,
Oakley saying that they would have five
minutes Of SPEEDING before returning to
wait for the train.
l. The light Of the village disappeared and
the moon was hidden by the overhanging
trees of the road along which they flew.
Puffs stretched his legs and galloped his
hardest. The machine drew rapidly away
from him. but he followed, with the per-
severance of his kind.
eve had better turn back said Flor
ence, as they reached an open stretch Of
road.
Oakley consulted his watch after
I'VE can't meet your father now. Shan't
we keep on?"
II prefer to go home'' Florence replied
codly.
Oakley leaned over the steering lever
as the machine sped on it's way. Then
he turned and his eyes met Florence's.
II am the chauffeur" he said quietly.
Florence looked steadily at him. Por-
ter Oakley returned her gaze, but the tri-
fling power that had made her forget con-
ventionalities was dissipated by the hon.
est wrath which glowed In the girls eyes.
Mr.. Oakley, will you turn back?" she
said sharply.
Oakley replied mockingly.
Miss Hastings we are not going back?'
what do you mean?'
II mean that have known and wanted
you for week. It usually takes less than
a week for me to get anything want.
You will go home, but it will be Tomorrow
and it will be as Mrs. Oakley"
| Florence rose from her seat. IT you
do not stop, I shall jump out she said.
Oakley seized her arm, but she strug-
gled. His grasp on the steering lever be-
came unsteady. the machine swerved Vio-
lently, and he gradually brought 1t to a
standstill at the side of the road. Flor
ence jumped to the ground and started
toward home, but Oakley placed himself
| in her way.
"You shall not go back he said. IF
you won't go on, we can stay In this lone
ly place. and in the morning, when it is
known that you have passed the night
with me, you may be more willing to &C
cept my proposals.
| Florence stopped and faced Oakley. Her
hands were clinched, but she was trem-
bling pitiably. He smiled and came to-
ward her.
Come now. Marriage is easy in New
Jersey' he said. 1--WE can go
A white, painting form shot from the
road and came between them. Florence
threw herself on the ground, clasped her
arms around muscular neck and sobbed:
THANK God, you have come, Pulls!
Thank God, you have come!
Oakley drew back He vas not smiling.
you don't think I shall let a dog inter-
fere with my plans, do you?" he asked.
He stepped to the automobile, placed his
hand under the seat, and when ne with
drew it it held glittering object Flor
ence gave low cry, and "nlte streak
flew from the road. The next instant
IOakey was kneeling on the ground, Puffs'
teeth were firmly holding his wrist, and
the useless weapon was lying in the dust.
Florence looked at him helplessly: then
her eyes frightened. Come, Puffs, we
. shall go home she SAID, ana ne VIII
take u.s.
| Half an hour later green automoblle
drew slowly up the driveway Of the Has
tings country house. Seated in 1t were
! a young woman and a sullen looking man.
Between them, with his back to the cir!
and his eyes fixed on the man, was
stolid and dusty bulldog.
When Mr.. Hastings arrived on the II
o'clock train, he found his daughter In
a subdued mood.
What is the meaning Of this?' No
asked, waving telegram before her.
| Florence took the paper and read:
Meet me at the uptown ferry, 10 O'Clock
tonight. -"Florence:
''This is why you stayed in the city
she said slowly. Then, as she realized the
meaning Of the message, 1T must nave
been Mr.. Oakley's important business.
When Mr.. Hastings had recovered de-
gree Of equanimity after the story OF the
automobile, he looked fondly at Puffs
It'll buy one of those machines some
day. he said, gravely extending his hand
into which responsive paw was placed
land when I do I shan't have to look fai
for a. chauffeur