Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-18

expecting every minute TO hear the ominous
"chug e -chug" and to see her fathers mo-
| tor car topping the distant ridge. Quite un'
| expectedly she gasped, and Carruthers, gal
vanized by the sound. sat up.
Are ley coming?" he queried, anxfously
! following her gaze.
| mo. but Dick-we've forgotten the IL
| cense"
"Oh. no we haven't was the triumphant
response, for got the license and the ring
| yesterday!
The g!rl turned with an amused smile that
| somehow reminded him Of her father.
Richard. you are a thoughtful young
man." che said. with mock approval. But
wasn't that a little risky? OF course, you
could count on fathers saying no. But how
did you know I'd elope with you?"
None but the brave deserve the fair! "
replied Dick undauntedly. I'VE have to
take some chances even in Opponents. Now
a little kiss and we're off againA I can just
see your father whizzing over the road back
there"
The next hour was uneventful. They
reeled off the miles steadily and easily.
stopping once for cool. refreshing glass OF
milk at friendly farm house.
Bridgetown and matrimony were only
five miles away. with hill of three miles
to cover. This hill was comparatively easy
for bicyclists until within 900 yards of the
top. Then the grade bacame steep. At this
point Dick and Ethel dismounted to lead
their wheels. Just as the crest was won, a
sound reached their ears, faint and distant.
but unmistakable. 1t was the "honk-honk''
of motor car.
The car, as they turned to look. had al
ready begun the conquest of the long hill.
The machine lurched and bounded wildly as
1t spurned pebbles from beneath the air
shod wheels. The wild goose warning
sounded constantly and commanded entire
respect. Several vehicles and a lone pedes-
tran took to the fence corners and one
team of staid round bodied pillow horses
tried to climb tree. The car never slack
ened speed: with volley of "honks'' it flew
upward. The last shred of doubt vanished
Tor Its occupants were begoggled leather
capped chauffeur and a taller figure, dust
covered. but topped with a silk hat
Carruthers answered the unspoken ques-
ton in his sweetheart's anxious lovely
eyes No use,' he said briefly, I'VE must
stand our ground now"
The car was approa ching the stretch that
would decide the race that last steep quar-
ter mile. Tiff" breathed Richard He
could get no further. But 1t wOn'tv an
swered Ethel "The horrid old thing is
working beautifully. There! Papa's seen
uSw
And then the god of chance Joined hands
with me god OF love. The .pursuers' speed
slackened as the car struck the rise The
vehicle of vengeance faltered, recovered
faltered again-sto2ped The "chugs
came thick and fast now. like the rattle
OF a machine gun. A cloud of vapor rose
The chauffeur and the banker dismounted
the former. tools In hand kneeling before
the machine like a Chinaman before his
less The Honorable David waved two
fists In the air and jumped up and down
The clipping couple mounted hastily and
rode to Mr.. Gilchrist's.
The kindly old minister was just sitting
down to an excellent dinner when they
rode up breathlessly. He heard their story
In two minutes. and. won by Ethers tears
In two more decided to marry them Pla cid
white haired Mrs. Gilchrist. still wearing
voluminous apron, and the old sexton,
VINO nved next door, acted as witnesses
Two more chairs were placed at the able
after the ceremony and four people instead
OF two sat down to dinner. If Ethel kept
a pretty ear alert for a certain familiar
chug-a- chug' and Dick sent an occasional
watchful glance over his shoulder at the
door standing Hospitality open, the Rev
erend and Mrs. Gilchrist made no comment
But their vigilence was unnecessary
When Mr.. and Mrs. Carruthers rode down
the hill they found the car pointed toward
home. Evidently it had been repaired for
the chauffeur, STRAIGHTFORWARD and rigid
sat In his place Mr.. Barclay was some
distance away under tree
Papa! Ethel dropped her wheel by the
roadside and ran toward him. He STOPPED
her with appraised hand. Just a moment
Ethel he said, trife grimly, you're
married. suppose?"
Yves"
Stand here until hear about it. What
have you to say, sr?' The frigid dignity
of the Honorable David's attitude was
sofhe"iidt HdrTeO Dy streak or grease
across his nose.
Dick told the story. while Ethel. like a
guilty but very charming school girl. drew
diagrams In the dust with her boot
There was silence a moment when Car
ruthers had finished. Mr.. Barclay looked
off across the fields. Loved one another
for two years. have your he said slowly
| might have known! 1 might have. known |!
Planned this out; figured on the hill and all.
Well! Well! They used to call me shrewd
in days gone by. but the rising generation
new methods, l suppose"
He turned to the pair who hand in hand,
awaited his verdict The chill dignity was
gone and Ethel noticed with a sudden
pang that her father was an old man and
weary. His smile made the stern face
human and lovable.
Ethel, dear. kiss your poor. outwitted,
old father he said. Richard. nv bow
give us your hand You're worthy of her,
or she wouldn't have married you. Ethers
Barclay and knows good stuff from shod-
dy"
Ethel cried little, softly and Dick re-
turning the firm pressure of the older mans
hand, felt that he knew the banker for the
first time.
Mr.. Barclay was first to speak Come,
Wen go back. It's past dinner time now
IN have Albert strap your wheels on be-
hhd. You can get in with US; there's
plenty of room in the car
But the romance of their Lochinyar ride
was over the young people. They looked at
one another with questioning eyes Each
found wish mirrored therein
Thank you rejoined Dick, but II It's
all the same to you. we'll begin our honey-
moon on our bicycles They served nobIy
during the courtshipr