The San Francisco call., 1905-03-15
KniOht f5s Gt Middle Aces
BY TROY ALLISON


ute, she commanded imperiously.
Not so were the Sabine women
oheyed." He was tragically firm.
III get out and walk"
You might if / slowed up the ma
onine.' He put on more speed del1b-
eIately But jumping out just at
this stage of the game would be a
somewhat dangerous feat"
She dropped into her seat resent
fully. Il have heard of proverb,
Mr.. John Crawford''-the sarcasm in
her voice was lntense-''that has prob
ably never been entertained by your
benighted mind. Possibly you have
heard that there is a difficulty in get
ting a horse 70 drink, even after you
nave 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-
iantly. perhaps it's part of your
L,ian that | get my fingers and nose
frostbitten."
It's too bad" politely, but when
ever you are ready to marry me we
Will head this machine for the near
est minister"
Then we will wear this automobile
to frazZle. | hope you have a per-
petual motion motive power and don't
depend entirely upon gasoline"
Crawford gave her a 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 monotony.
He turned the machine into lone
ly road branching off from the main
road. They passed over swampy
spot that the automobile almost re-
fused to take. He drove farther into
the neglected wildness and the auto
mobile suddenly stopped with snort.
Suffering saints" he exclaimed
disgustedly. hastily jumping out; 'fif-
teen miles from anywhere or anybody
and the power given out.
She didn't say word but reached
down and appropriated all the robes,
wrapping them around her snugly.
He took out cigar, lit 1t and tramp
ed UP and down meditatively.
mo use trying to fix it., he in
formed her dolefully; its "a hopeless
case"
The short winter afternoon was
drawing to a close and the gray of
early twilight settled dismally over
the gloomy pines.
I'm hungry, too" she said with
the suspicion of a sob.
IF you would only consent to be
Mrs. John Crawford tonight, we
would try to find house somewhere
where we could have a jolly supper
and a fire..
You'd make nice lovable hus-
el,n ~, i'm,
dignant scorn. What woman would
want to marry brute capable of
starving and freezing her to death %
My child. those are cultivated
characteristics, cultivated merely to
win your admiration and undying re-
gard. My real disposition is SO gen
tie as to make lamb seem stern and
unrelenting. But l couldn't afford to
follow the dictates of my tender
heart-you would say ] was lacking
in will power. | am ruling you with
an iron rod, o Ladye fair, and you
sit right there until you promise to
marry me-"
An hour later he wondered if she
were asleep, the bundle of rugs had
remained silent heap while he
tramped the road.
He took out his watch and struck
match.
Eight o'clock" he said in surprise
Its really not proper for you to stay
here all night. l don't think Craw-
ford is particularly undesirable
name to bear"
"Ill-I'Il m-marry you," came in
quavering tones from the bundle of
rugs
AT the very first opportunity?" he
asked eagerly.
"Yes-better get a disagreeable thing
over with as soon as possible" defect
edly.
He jumped quickly into the auto
mobile.
Don't touch me- she said. II hate
you, hate you, hate you, and I'm GO
ing to make you as miserable as l
possibly can
He laughed happily. 'I'll look out
for my personal safety"
He put his hand on the lever and
the machine shot forward energetic
ally. He drove forward quarter of
mile, and turning suddenly, came in
sight of a house, brilliantly lighted.
THE minister lives there" he ex-