Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-12-30
THEIR AUTO
ELOPEMENT
BY lola L. FORESTER
Cop, right. 1903. by 4. c. Mcclure.

added Mrs. Lambert mcrrily, land then
what a moist, forlorn little bride you'll
be. Stop petting her, Ralph. and talk
sense. Can't you fix it,
Carewe shook his head despairlngly.
They were on the New York and
Boston pike. Here and there nm apple
tree lay in the sunlight like n great
pink and white puffball. The grassy
footpath along the pike was splashcd
with bright gold where dandclions and
buttercups clbowed each other, and
through the bars of a pasture OH the
right couple of red and white calves
were watching them with lazy interest
Mrs Lambert drew In a deep breath Of
appreciation.
isn't 1t lovely" she said. daisy.
sit up and look ut your wedding day
l see little white spire over the top
Of those hazel bushes, Ralph"
Carewe climbed to the top Of the
stone wall for survey.
by Jove, Aunt Ruth. you're rightw
he called gayly. Come on. sweet
heart"
Daisy flushed rosily as the eager.
boyish arms lifted her to the ground,
and she cast Il half frightened glance
down the smooth. dusty road. Any
minute Mt all the judge might come.
! He was sure TO follow. and they were
only few miles from home.
Mrs. Lambert was looking at her
green and gold chatelaine watch.
You ought to be back here in half
an hour" she said, her blue eyes as full
Of excitement and happiness as Dalsy's
I'm not bit afraid to stay here and
face the Judge. You two children run
for the white splre. and heaven bless
you both"
Aunt Ruth. did any one ever tell |
you you were an angel?' exclaimed |
Ralph, giving her hand clasp that |
parted the seams Of her neat tan
gloves.
Several" laughed Mrs. Lambert. |
"but all selfishly. One is never an an
gel until one Is guardian angel. An
impersona angel Is not recognized, ]
have found. If you should happen to
run across village blacksmith and
can think Of earthly things you might
tell him there is work for him on the
pike"
She sank back among the cushions
OF the auto with a sigh of sheer con-
tent and watched them run cross lots
hand in hand. tramplng the dande-
lions and buttercups. They were such
precious children, and 1t was the first
elopement she had ever shared AS for
the Judge? She leaned back her head
and looked up at the blue sky through
half closed eyes and smiled. The Judge
really did not matter In the least.
They had been neighbors for twenty
years, the Nortons and Carewes, and
1t was at Mrs Lambert's that the
judges only daughter had met and
loved her nephew, Ralph. He was q
good boy, and there was no reason
why he should not WOO and win Daisy.
But the judge had thought differently.
and Ruth Lambert, sitting alone In the
sunshine and fragrance Of the May
time, wondered whether any old prey
Ing bitterness over his own defeat
twenty years before had Influenced the
Judge against Ralph's suit
1t had been the same story. Jack
Norton had wooed her against her ia
Tiers wishes. He was student then.
with only his name and grit to win his
way, and she had not known how
much she cared until he had gone out :
Of her life. If he had been brave and
dared all like Ralph
She sighed and reused herself from
the day dream. Down the road light 9
cloud of dust appeared. and Mrs. Lam ,
bert sat erect when she saw 1t. Before !
she could more than settle herself back u
among the cushions the o
other auto was abreast Of her, and she
heard the judge give sharp order to
the chauffeur to halt. He was frown-
ing and warm as he bent toward her
md raised his cap. d
"How do you do. Mrs. LambertT 6
Every well. thank you" Mrs. Lam
pert smiled at him graciously. p
"You have had an accidentY' Il
Just slight one, | believe. have u
'ent for help
"Ahr' The judges tone was all com. IL
,rehensive. Garter. get down and see
what's the trouble"
The chauffeur obeyed.
"Water run out. SIR" he said briefly. p'
Cot little strain also. Some one run III
ling II who wasn't experienced" y
81 shouldn't wonder" said the judge
.rimly. 60 hunt some water some II
where" %
When the man was out OF hearing he
urncd TO Mrs Lambert. and there was ~
var in his glance. :"
Perhaps you will kindly tell me III
rhere my daughter Is. Mrs Lambcrtw
Mrs Lambert pointed one dainty.
loved hand In the direction of the
White spire. br
Fright over there. Judge" she said Tic
weetly. And Ralph Is with her. They |,
ave gone to be married" tie
There was dead silence except for TN
he clear. sweet song Of bluebird hid I'm
Ell somewhere among the blossoms. an
lrs. Lambert stole look at the judge.
lie was staring down the narrow vista
{ the pike There was the same clear An
ut, purposeful profile and thick. wavy IN,
air that had belonged to Jack Norton. WI
he years had only added silver to the In
MIR and strength to the profile Hc dil