River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-02-04
"HelIo. Betty. where going?.

What did she say" Beatrice heard
Leo inquire.
fI'll 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 bis
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 vacant seat,
looked puzzled and said: Here is
her luggage, but where is she? Sit still
a minute. I will find herr"
He was gone nearly ten minutes and
returning said:
''She's in the other car. Wen have
to wait a 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 Wen
have plenty of time"
Then Jones asked her something
about golf and they plunged into a dis
cussion of a recent game. Presently
she looked uD startled:
"Why the train is moving" she SAID.
$50 it is" replied Jones, cheerfully.
looking at his watch. tits 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
'T'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.
Before he returned she was thoroughly
angry at his delay and generally fright
ened at the situation. Her mysterious
friend had not appeared.
Presently Jones returned, calm, smi'
ing, unperturbed.
We'll" she demanded, whats the
matter?"
Nothing" he replied, seating him
self There was mistake about the
train time. l was right at first. 1t
was seen. not 7:15."
'Wha, are we going to do?" she
Where is the woman who sent for
me?"
Nov, Beatrice, be perfectly calm,
and I'll tell you about it" he replied
deliberately. "You see, there amt any
woman. In fact, I didn't tell you there
was-although l confess I intimated
1t. It's a man"
What" she exclaimed. "Who is
it; where is he?"
tits 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 1adylove by sheer
force and daring. I have just beaten
my hated rival, the duke, to a stand
still in the joust for the ladys hand.
The weapons were not lances, but wits
and I've won the lady. My steed
isn't milkwhite 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 a stateroom for the pur-
pose. Then we will go on to Omaha,
where we will arrive in the morning
We will then go where you will spend
the honeymoon-Denver San Fran
cisco, anywhere"
We'll do no such thing" she ex-
claimed, as soon as she could catch
her breath, "Ill 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. cit is fast mail,
running on 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. Perhaps you
had better ask the conductor Here he
is"
She did, but he shook his head.
Impossible. madam. couldn't do it
for the president he said punching
the tickets Jones handed him and NOV
ing on.
"You scoundrel," she shrieked turn
ing on Jones, "I'll make 'em stop. I'll
scream"
do as you please, can't help it,"
replied Jones meekly. But it'll make
an awful scene and rather sensational
reading in the papers"
Then she Strengthened up in dignity
I'm get off at Savannah, telegraph my
father, and go home" she murmured.
LAS 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