The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-22
MEETING HIS APPOINTMENT
BY FRANK Fl. SWIFT.

BY FRANK Fl. SWIFT.
 (Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,
 Barstow sent the tip of his whip curl ing out over the horses backs, not touching them, for he was very careful of the beautiful span, but allowing ms sharp cutting through the air to act as an incentive. However, although their necks strengthened a little, the speed did not increase. It could not on this road, with an ordinary driving rig. They were already going at a three-minute pace.
 He gave a quick glance over his shoul- der. An automobile was just turning a curve of the road, three-fourths or mile behind His eyes studied its occu- pants keenly.
 ''Yes, that's the sheriff all right" he thought, grimly. "No one could mistake those shoulders and that cowboy nat; and he's a head above his companion. l wonder who the companion is-some fel- low he's sworn in as deputy, likely. And the automobile is Carson's. No other could clip over the ground the way that does. I suppose Cunningham has depu- tized it also We'll" turning back and missing the tip of his whip once more across the horses backs, tits going to be a race. But I'm glad Carson himself isn't back there. Reckless as the sheriff is after game, I don't think he'll take over three miles out of a strange ma echine, and it's only 20 to Leighton, with a straight road and a good start and my span fresh. Yes, it'll be race"
 But ten minutes later he could see that the automobile was slowly, but surely, gaining on him, and at the end of half an hour, with eight of the 20 miles pass ed, the automobile had covered one- third of the distance between them. The horses were now breathing heavily and their speed decreasing; the machine was coming on more rapidly. Barstow glanced over his shoulder, studying the ground critically, then allowed his gaze to fall back to his pursuer. The sherim |, was motioning frantically for him to stop. Barstow grinned satirically.
 Not ss just yet, Cunningham" he thought ''The race is getting too inter- esting.3 Besides, there's too great stake involved. Any other time I'd be glad to accommodate you. Just now I'm going to Leighton, and with good luck l shall have barely 20 minutes to gather up minister and have him at the station when the train comes in. Once across the line and I'll whistle at Cunningham no, I won't. I'll ask him to be best man.. If he follows me that far. Thank the stars there'lly be no need for a h- cense, and confound the postman for not delivering my letter yesterday when 1t came"
 There was a long stretch of clear road Nhhead, with the horses going steadily. He made a turn with the reins about his wrist and drew a letter from his pocket It had been given him by the mail carrier only 40 minutes before, just as he was starting out with his span, and he had read it at a glance and then dashed away on his wild race to Leigh ton. He now swept the lines with an- other glance, his face glowing.
 Dear Harold" the letter read, i've shall be there one day earlier than ar- ranged. Then senator will not speak at Hammel. and that saves us stopping over; but he has arranged to speak to the business men at Ponceford, a hundred miles farther on, so the time with you will be the same, only a day earlier. From the train schedule I think 1t will be about 15 minutes Have the minister and everything ready. It seems reck- less, hit or miss kind of marriage, don't 1t, Harold? But, then. uncle is so anx- ious to see it; and he's got to be at Ponceford and must take steamer for Europe only a few hours later, to be gone a year. So it's Hobson's choice. But never mind, Harold. Wen make 1t upon our wedding trip, and miss every train if We like-or, why not make the trip with your span and stop everywhere in particular I think that would be fine. Claire"
 Barstow slipped the letter back into his pocket, curling the whip once more out in a search of impossible speed. Ten