The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-10


nink if.ail over lie told himself that
By the time be returned he would have
made up bis mind either 10 propose 10
Miss Westiey or to 80 to Europe ana
try to forget her.
He was alone. and be a. turned at
moderate speed into Pelham PARKWAY,
In Westchester. be saw ahead q giri on
Q horse. The bracing. bsiiny spring aif
laden with the perfumes Of budding
trees and early flowers and the notes
Of birds. added to the physical exhiia.
ration Of rapid movement, had pleas
Ing effect upon Robben. The girl on
the horse fitted perfectly into the
scheme.
For q few seconds he was lost In
contemplation and admiration Of her
superb h0rsemsnship. Then he recog-
nized something about the poise Of her
head and the sci Of her shoulders and
knew that the girl on the horse was
Miss westley. He wanted to Join her,
but the combination Of Miss westley
on horse and him In an automobile
seemed to him unfavorabie, and he
slowed down.
As be watched her he forgot all about
bis trip to Europe and determined 10
propose at the first opportunity.
Suddenly her horse sweryed violent
ly to the right and broke from a steady
canter into wild gallop Robben knew
instantly either that the bride rein had
broken or that the horse had taken the
bit In his teeth. Clearly the animal
was running away.
The girl retained her seat In the sad
die. and. while she appeared to be per
fectly cool, he knew that around turn
In the road less than mile away was
the bridge across Pelham bay. and the
chances were great that the horse In
his blind wildness might dash her
against the Iron supports Of the narrow
structure or carry her into the bay II
she were not thrown before they reach.
ed the bridge.
lie threw the clutch on to the highest
gear. and the powerful machine. thus
urged to the extent Of It's sixty horse
power. leaped forward. II was long
chance he was taking, but the girl on
the runaway was Edith Westley.
Grasping the steering wheel with his
left hand, be slid as far as possible to
the right Of the seat and guided the
machine alongside the horse. The ami |
NAL yeered or as the machine overlook
him. but Robben reduced speed and
kept as close as possible.
Steady. Miss Wesley" he said |
calmly. Free your skirts and Jump |
when say the word. Steady nowv'
They were within fifty yards Of the
bridge when Robben threw or the
clutch. jammed down the brake and,
with q skillful twist Of the steering
wheel. skidded close to the runaway. |
Bracing himself with his knee against
the dashboard, he let go the wheel and, |
reaching far out over the side Of the
machine. said. Gomez
With a quick movement he threw his |
arm about the girl as she left the sad |
die and, straining every muscle. lifted
her Into the machine. Her weight and
the sudden shock threw them against
the steering wheel with terrific force |
The great machine swerved. ran up
bank and smashed Into tree. For q
few moments they were both stunned.
but when Robben sought the girls eyes
hs saw in their depths light he had
feared would never be there for him.
That night Miss westley wrote let.
ter TO her father In Nevada:
Dear Old Dad-I am going TO marry a
'tenderfoot." but he will be q credit TO
the Circle X ! might as well tell you tho
worst-he is an automoblllst. But love
him. EDITH