Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-07-11

CHAPTER I.
The Only and Original Jones.

The Only and Original Jones'
A sudden lively commotion, acorn
panied by shouts of alarm, attracted
the attention of sun Drowned,
weather-beaten individual in the garb
OF tourist, who had been seated upon
the pinnacle of picturesque rock IN
the famous Bots de Boulogne Of Paris.
occasionally using gigantic pair of
American field glasses for distant
views, and anon calmly surveying the
stream of stylish turnouts that drib-
bled past. BE-"
"A novelty at last-something I've
never witnessed before--a runaway
automobile, and heading this way lick
etty-split as sure as my name Is Jones.
whats that in the car-thunder!
A woman, as / live, and a devlish
handsome one at that. Seems to me
l should know that face and figure
yes, she stands there steering the bolt
ing machine with the same bravery l
saw her show when she faced the Nj
hilist plotters in Warsaw, and defied
them in the name of the Gar. l shall
never forget it. But the Princess
Irene Olgavitch is in a worse scrape
than that now. Faster whirls the car,
as though possessed of seven devils.
Once 1t strikes some obstacle and |
fear me that famous beauty will thrill
the hearts of Partisan dandies and
diplomats no more, and Nicholas will
have to look far and wide to fill the
place of so clever secret agent"
As yet fortune had given the flash
ing vehicle clear field, but it was
going at the rate of twenty miles an
hour, and at any moment might plunge
into some drag or coach that had
been dilatory in giving way, when an
awful spill and smash must follow.
The man on the rock was deeply ia
.terested, and made as though he would
leap down and run to the road with
the hope Of lending some assistance,
when his attention was arrested by
the appearance Of bicyclist on the
scene, coming like mad from the rear.
and adding to his pace with every rev.
olution of his sprocket Wheel
Eagerly Jones bent forward to
watch, but was never able to see just
how it had been accomplished-the BIZ
cycle lay upon the park drive COM
plete wreck, but the intrepid rider had
somehow thrown himself upon the
lurching motor and appeared at the
side of the lady who crouched upon
the seat, clinging with both fragile
hands to the steering wheel.
Apparently the adventurous individ-
ual quickly grasped the situation, and
realized that with the machinery in
rebellion heroic measures must be ia
ken in order to bring the runaway tu
q stand-at least Jones judged this
when he saw him laying vigorously
about with an iron bar he had secured,
evidently bent on severing certain
connections by means of which the
propelling power was communicated
to the wheels.
The thing was done; shorn Of its in
centive for speed the numbering wreck
soon came to stand directly before
Jones' rocky pulpit, and Of course was
quickly surrounded by crowd of curl
GUS persons, eager to look upon those
who had been actors in the recent lit
tie drama.
Presently a figure left the chatter
ing crowd that watched the transfer
Of the lady to another vehicle, and
headed directly for the rock upon
which Jones held forth.
Another minute and they were shak-
ing hands with exceeding gusto-as
only men do who meet on a foreign
strand amid surroundings not alto
gether congenial.
1T was we'll done, my boy; remark
ably we'll done, permit me to say de-
clared Jones, while he pumped away
at the others hand. WAS the lady
injured?"
mot in the least, and she recovered
from her fright very quickly"
"Your wheel"
"A complete wreck. gave orders
to have it carted to repair shop
do you know the lady you rescued
from disaster?" Jones asked, quietly,
watching the face of his companion
closely to see what effect her charms
might have had upon him.
"Never saw her before, to tell the
truth. She gave me her card, but I
have not yet taken the trouble to look
at it."
Suppose you d. my dear boy"
Merrick whistled softly upon read
ing the name, and then looked at his
companion inquiringly.
T have heard much of this Russian
princess, and can well believe some Of
the wonderful stories told about her.
She is beauty without question, and
I have no doubt responsible for many
a broken heart"
'Look out for your own, my boy"
warningly.
"Never fear" laughed Merrick; Il
am proof against all her charms
Jones was unable to decide on the
spot whether his companion intended
to convey the meaning that he was
already in love with another, and that
his heart held no room for two, or else
that he considered himself one Of those
inveterate bachelors who have sworn
to live life of celibacy, and laugh to
scorn all efforts of the gentler sex 10
fascinate and ensnare.
Plainly Merr1ck would do to study.
The more Jones saw of him the bet
ter he was pleased at the prospect of
enlisting such cool customer In his
plan of campaign. -&Er aa'
"Let me see, it is how many moons
since we said good-by in Buenos Ayres
in South America-about two years, l
guess % said Jones, refectively. e.