Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-06-17
Knight of the
Middle Ages
By TROY ALLISON
- Copyright. 1905. BY Troy Aliison.....

utmost limit. and she kept furtive
grip on the seat.
Crawford guided the automobile over
the last cobblestone street that led to
the country road.
Just poking," he said, staccato.
but this is my first trip In one. My
country blood Is feeling concealed"
she gasped as the machine leapcd from
the last layers OF cobblestones and
went whizzing along the dirt road.
He put ON more speed. and they
rushed on madly. Crawford gazing In
tently before him.
She remembered stories of people
who had suddenly been struck with In
sanity, and little cold chills crept up
and down her spine.
Aren't we running away" she
quavered.
That's exactly what we're doing"
he said calmly. '.In fact. we're elOp-
ing"
''Of all thingsv Her exclamation
now expressed the settled conviction
that he was victim of insanity.
Its this way. Elizabeth" he ex-
planned with the calmness. she thought.
that precedes an insane outburst. you
have refused me twelve times. and
have my own superstitions about try
Ing the thirteenth"
She looked ut him somewhat hopeful
ly. At least his memory was not en-
tirely gone.
II heard you last week at the Rich
ley's dinner party" he continued. say
ing that you liked the strength OF pur
pose Of the men of the middle ages:
that men of today We're apathetic crea-
lures without proper supply of back
bone. You went so far as to say you
would prefer being kidnapped by a man
OF that type to being begged and teased
and implored by the men of today.
Now. my child"-he turned toward her,
smiling broadly-'you will have the
goodness to behold your fairy god
mother" patting his chest that she
might locate the said godmother. II
am giving you your wish. You are be-
Ing abducted In the style OF the middle
ages"
you're brutew she said conclu-
sively.
'Oh. not quite 80 bad as that" ex-
tenuatingly. "Of course could not
furnish the absolutely proper stage set
tings. You will observe that had to
omit the white palfrcy. l didn't plan
this In time to advertise for white
palfrey. and ! thought l might not be
able TO handle you as tenderly. charg-
ing along upon one. I'll admit that
the up-to-dateness Of this machine In
PRODUCES false chronological note
sOrrowfully-"but won't you admit
that you are more comfortable?"
IL hate you." she responded Jelly.
THAT'S no obstacle to IL determined
knight OF the middle ages" He was
exceedingly cheerful. I'm fact. diff
Guilty lends charm to an adventure"
you'll take me home this very min
ute!" she commanded imperiously.
"Not so were the Sabine women
obeyed." He was tragicaliy firm.
I'll get out and walk"
you might II slowed up the ma
chine" He put on more speed DELHI
erately. But jumping out just ut this
stage OF the game would be some
what dangerous feat"
She dropped into her seat resentful-
ly. Il have heard OF proverb. Mr..
John Crawford"-the sarcasm In her
voice was intense-''that has probably
never been entertained by your be-
nighted mind Possibly you have heard
that there Is difficulty In getting "a
horse to drink. even after you have led
him to water?"
"My dear girl. your positive and
strenuous knight Of the middle ages
would have staked that horse right
there until he got SO thirsty he would
have neighed for water"
She sat In silence for the next half
hour.
I'm almost Frozen" she said petu-
lantly. Perhaps it's part of your
plan that i get my fingers and nose
frostbitten."
Its too bad" politely, but when
ever you are ready to marry me we
will head this machine for the nearest
minister"
Then we will wear this automobile
to a FRAGILE. I hope you have a per
petual motion motive power and don't
depend entirely upon gasoline"
Crawford gave her startled glance
from the corner OF his eye. surprised
that she knew the machine would not
keep on indefinitely.
''Oh, that's all right" cheerfully.
She relapsed into her sulky silence.
and for the next hour Crawford went
steadily ahead. whistling occasionally
to relieve the mon0tony.
He turned the machine into a lonely
road branching Off from the main road.
They passed over swampy spot that
the automobile almost refused to take.
He drove farther into the neglected
wildness. and the automobile suddenly
stopped with snort
Suffering saints" he exclaimed dis
gustedly. hastily jumping out. Fifteen