Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-04-21

Back in an hour"
What did she say?" Beatrice heard
Leo inquire.
"Ill be back in an hour" 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
minute. will find herr"
He was gone nearly ten minutes and
returning said:
"She's in the other car. Well have
TO wait a minute until she gets
through talking with somebody. Says
it viii be in two minutes and she can
tell her story to you in five. So Wen
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.
so it is," replied Jones, cheerfully,
| looking at his watch cts only sew
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"
"IIl 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, smi'
ing. unperturbed.
WELL" she demanded, whats the
matter?"
Nothing" he replied seating him
self. There was a mistake about the
train time. l was right at first Il
was seven. not 7:15"
what are we going to do@ she
gasped in dlsmay Where are we?
Where is the woman who sent for
me2"
Now. Beatrice, be perfectly calm.
and I'll tell you about il, he replied
deliberately. You see, there amt any
woman. In fact, didn't tell you there
was-although | confess | intimated
It. It's a man"
what" she exclaimed. Who is
It: where is he?"
Its me. Beatrice. so do not be
alarmed" he replied. smiling.
He waved aside her attempted inter
ruption.
you see it's this way. am now
I'm the character of a ehivalric knight,
carrying away my ladylove by sheer
force and daring ! have just beaten
my hated rival. the duke, to a 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 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 a preacher will meet
the train and perform the ceremony
I've engaged a stateroom for the pur-
pose. Then we will go on to Omaha,
where we will arrive in the morning.
we viii then 60 where you will spend
the honeymoon-Denyer. San Fran
cisco, anywhere"
wen do no such thing" she ex-
claimed. as soon as she could catch
her breath. "Iu tell the conductor and
have the train stopped and go back If
| have to walk.
.I'm afraid you can't" he replied,
shaking his head 1T is a 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 twinkllng nghts had given
way 70 inky blaeSness. Perhaps you
had better ask the conductor. Here he
is"
She did, but he shook his head.
Then she Strengthened up in dignity.
"Tll get of at Savannah, telegraph my
father. and go home she murmured.
AS 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 | sent word back
Z -