The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

/ iron key 1t fairly sbrieked In the still
ness.
At last she swung the door partly
open and slipped through. = window
above her head was pushed hurriedIy
open. That suspicion of Sister Deborah
hsd caught her at last
Come back into the house this min
ute. she shouted
But, no, Sister Alice had gone TOO far
for that She few up the road toward
the place Of meeting. she knew that
she would be pursued. and fear added
speed TO an approach which might 9th
erwise have been rather hesitating. In
a few minutes she ran precipitateiy into
the arms Of George Armstrong 'Hur-
ryi" she sasped. He lifted her into the
| carriage. sprang IN beside her. and they
were OF She managed to explain, after
a few minutes. what had happened, aud
that they would certainly be pursued.
George Armstrong had an oppertuni-
: " 10 regret that he had hurried bis
horses over the mountain that night In
/ his fmpatience. StIU, they were gced
/ team. and he felt that the nine miles
! before him could be covered as fast 10
would be necessary. He took some tIms
( going up the mountain. wishing 10 spare
them as much as possible. and when ha
reached the top he could plainly heas
the beat Of horses hoofs down IN the
} village. He was being followed on horse
{ back He die not mean 10 lose the girl
/ by his side He did not know what legal
rights the sisters might have 10 her ser
/ vices OF her person. but If he could only
get TO that old ministers house he would
defy them. The doctor would be pre-
pared for him, and he need only reach
/ there few minutes in advance
Every attention was given 10 hisswork
He could not risk a fall now. Glad
| ne was that he knew the road so well.
/ The horses were eased over the steepesE
/ parts and urged into a mad run where
| the road would allow They fairly fed
along The country swept by them Ike
a swift panorama. Once or twice the
! branches OF a low hanging tree struck
/ them a singing blow in the face. Now
/ and again a spark would fly as the
horses struck a loose stone. and the
/ light buggy would almost leave the
/ ground as they went over breaker
/ George Armstrong was doing his best to
! win this race Of his life but be knew
too well that it would be a hard one
/ He felt sure that the horsemen vera
d 'awing up on him. for. mounted. they
/ had a terrible advantage, but every mo-
ment ne was telling himself. was bring
+ ing him nearer 10 the minister's. Whp
/ hadn't he brought the minister with him.
/ he asked himself. as his horse Stun
] bIed- But he pulled the animal to it,
; feet. and on they went again.
! And so they drove over those long
miles. George straining every nerve for
speed. and the little woman BY his side
almost fainting from fright and excite
ment- But even then she had time 10
! realize that she was proud of the man
/ beside her At last JEey we're ouIY
mile from PIttsfeId. but the pursuing
/ horsemen were scarcely fifty rods be-
hind. The horses were laboriag from
] their severe pace, but it must be kept
] up at any cost. and the whip was used
! with singing effect
The tired animals made last effart
/ Into the town they burst. and on toward
/ the minister's rushed this mad bridal
/ procession. They reached the house.
and the horses were brought sud
! denly to a standstiII almost dead
with their wild drive. George pick
/ ed up his companion. sprang 20 the
ground. and rushed Up the steps. For
! tunateIy the door was unlocked into
The study Of the old minister he rushed.
hatless and breaJhless. and shouted.
Quick"
The old man sprsIg TO his feet.
-Dou you take this woman TO be your
welded wife," Sounds Of borses-}
Yes
DO you take this man to be your
welded husband" The pursuers we're
/ dismountingJ
Then I pronounce you" swift feet
were rushing along the hallway man
and wife" shouted the old minister. as
two Shakers burst into the room
They were too late, and they. realized
it, bur one could scarcely expect them
to take the defeat eoIdIy- Purple with
rage and his exercise, the old brother
wh0 vas in advance shook his fist at
the group before him
Curses on YOU all" ne shouted.
Curses on you all you thieving world
Iings." and the TWO turned and stamped
cut of the house
It was all over Standing there,
cIasping one hand Of George Armstrong
tightly with 10th OF hers. while he al
most supported her the bride showed
that her Introduction iGto the outer
world had been very sudden Her lip
trem5led. her eyes were moist, but hap
piness was dawning in them. She re-
allied that she was a wife.
The benevolent old minister. taking
her hand said in his kindest voice.
II congratulate you my dear" and
kissed her Then he left the room ard
softly closed the door The two young
/ people were alone for the first time
Drawing her closely to him. George
/ Armstrong pushed back the little Shaker
cap which his bride was wearing. and
ruf1ed up her soft cuTls, gazing fondly
! into her pretty face
Well Alice dear" he said. having
married you in haste. I viii proceed 10
WOO you al leisure and he stopped and