Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-03-03

Back in an hour
What did she say?" Beatrice heard
Leo inquire.
"I'll be back in an honr." the driver
replied.
They arrived at the depot at ten
| minutes before seven, the carriage
having been delayed at several corners.
Jones was worrying and pulling his
watch repeatedly. They hurried to the
awaiting train and as they entered the
Pullman, Jones shouted to the porter:
What time to you start?"
Beatrice did not catch the answer,
but Jones repeated it.
| "Seven fifteen, Oh, We are all right
thought it was seven"
He conducted her to a vacant seat.
looked puzzled and said: "Here IS
her luggage, but where is she? Sit still
a minute. will find herr"
He was gone nearly ten minutes and
returning said: ~
"She's in the other car. Well have
to wait minute until she gets
through talking with somebody. Says
it will be in two minutes and she can
tell her story to you in five. So we'll
have plenty Of time"
Then Jones asked her something
about golf and they plunged into dis
cussion of a recent game. Presently
she looked up startled:
"Why the train is moving" she said.
$50 it u.s." replied Jones, cheerfully,
III C%nh 0Y1JH ".
en-, guess they're going to switch us
onto another track. Fifteen minutes
before train time. She'll be here in a
minute" Then he plunged again into
golf talk. Presently Beatrice stopped
and exclaimed:
"Why, George, they amt switching
at all; the trains going faster every
minute"
I'LL see about it," replied George,
promptly rising and walking to the
door. He was gone nearly ten min
utes, during which she watched in dis
may the lights of the city whiz past.
Presently Jones returned, calm, sm1' =
ing, unperturbed.
"Well." she demanded, whats the
natter"
Nothing" he replied, seating him.
self. There was a mistake about the
train time. I was right at first It
was seven. not 7:15."
what are we going to do?" she
gasped in dismay Where are we?
Where is the woman who sent for
'me?"
"Now, Beatrice, be perfectly calm.
and I'll tell you about it" he replied
deliberately. "You see, there amt any
woman. In fact, didn't tell you there
was-although I confess I intimated
it. It's man."
"What!" she exclaimed. "Who is
it; where is he?"
cts me. Beatrice. so do not be
:! alarmed" he replied, smiling.
He waved aside her attempted inter-
ruption.
"You see it's this way. I am now
in the character of a chivalric knight,
carrying away my ladylove by sheer
force and daring. I have just beaten
my hated rival, the duke, to stand
still in the joust for the lady's hand.
The weapons were not lances, but wits
and I've won the lady. My steed
isn't a milk-white charger, but it isn't
very SLOW"
what do you mean?" she gasped.
"Are you crazy?"
mo, my dear Beatrice" he replied.
"Never more sane in my life. have
deliberately captured you and am bear
ing you across the country as fast as
steam can push drive wheels. It's the
fast mail and don't stop until we reach
Savannah. There preacher will meet
the train and perform the ceremony.
I've engaged stateroom for the pur
pose. Then we will 60 on to Omaha,
where we will arrive in the morning.
We will then go where you viii spend
the honeymoon-Denver. Sab Fran
cisco, anywhere.
well do no such thing" she ex-
claimed, as soon as she coul6 catch
her breath. "I'll tell the conductor and
have the train stopped and go back If
I have to walk"
''Im afraid you can't" he replied,
shaking his head. 1T is fast mail,
running on a contract with the govern
ment. They won't stop before Savan-
nah-and we are way out of the city,
see." He pointed out of the window
where the twinkling lights had given
way to inky blackness. "Perhap" you
had better ask the conductor. Here he
u.s."
She did, but he shook his head.
Then she Strengthened up in dignity
"I'u get off at Savannah, telegraph m
father, and go home" she murmured.
GAS you please" replied Jones.
"Only it certainly will look odd.
There's no train back before morning
and YOU won't get there before noon.
Besides the people at home may be
SUSPICIOUS. You see I sent wore back
by the driver that we had gone t.,
Omaha to get married. Your brother
and one or two of the servants saw
us drive off together. I'm afraid the
dixie has been told before now"