The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-10-01
THEIR AUTO
ELoPEMENT
BY lola [. FORESTER
Copy right. 1903, by 7. c. Mcciure..

I'VE can't do blessed thing" cried
Daisy hopelessly. Something broke
when that last bump came. and we
may be here in the road for hours be-
fore help comes, and l expect to see
papa whiz around the corner any min
ute. It's dreadful"
Don't cry, sweetheart" said Ralph.
you'll make your nose red, Daisy"
added Mrs. Lambert merrily, land then
what moist, forlorn little bride you'll
be. Stop petting her, Ralph, and talk
sense. Can't you fix it?' Is.
Carewe shook his head despairingly.
They were on the New York and
Boston pike. Here and there an apple
tree lay in the sunlight like a great
pink and white puffball.' The grassy
footpath along the pike was splashed
with bright gold where dandelions and
buttercups .elbowed each other, and
through the bars of a pasture on the
right couple Of red and white calves
were watching them with lazy interest.
Mrs. Lambert drew in deep breath of
appreciation.
isn't it lovely?" she said. "Daisy,
sit up and look at your wedding day.
I see little white spire over the top
Of those hazel bushes, Ralph"
Carewe climbed to the top Of the
stone wall for a survey.
"By Jove, Aunt Ruth. you're right"
he called gayly. "Come on, sweet
heart"
Daisy flushed rosily as the eager,
boyish arms lifted her to the ground,
and she cast half frightened glance
down the smooth. dusty road. Any
minute at 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 Daisy's.
"I'm not bit afraid to stay here and
face the judge. You two children run
for the white spire, and heaven bless
you BOTH"
"Aunt Ruth, did any one ever tell
you you were an angelo" 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 a guardian angel. An
impersonal angel is not recognized. I
have found. If you should happen to
run across a village blacksmith and
can think Of earthly things you might
pike"
She sank back among the cushions
Of the auto with sigh Of sheer con-
tent and watched them run cross lots
hand in hand, trampling the dande-
lions and buttercups. They were such
precious children, and it 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
it was at Mrs. Lambert's that the
judges only daughter had met and
loved her nephew, Ralph. He was a
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
theirs wishes. He was a 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
cloud of dust appeared, and Mrs. Lam
bert sat erect when she saw it. Before
comfortably among the cushions the
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
and raised his cap.
"How do you do, Mrs. Lambert?
Every we'll, thank YOU" Mrs. Lam
bert smiled at him graciously.
"You have had an aceident?'
"Just slight enc, believe. I have
sent for help"
"Ahw The Judges tone was all com
prehensive. Garter, get down and see
what's the trouble"
The chauffeur obeyed.
water run out, SIR" he said briefly.
SCOT little strain also. Some one run
ming it who wasn't experienced"
IL shouldn't wonder" said the judge
gr1mly. GO hunt some water some
where"
Whea the man was out of hearing he
turned to AIRS. Lambert, ard there was
war in his glance.
perhaps you will kindly tell me
where my daughter is. Mrs. LambertY
Mrs. Lambert pointed enc dainty,
sssved hssA N tbs direction # the
white spise.
fright sySr rAere. Judge" shs said
sweetly. "And Ralph is with her. They