The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-08-31
KNIGHT Of the
Middle Ages
...Copyrioht. 1905. BIZ Troy Allison.
By TROY ALLISON


Crawford guided the automobile over
the last cobblestone street that led to
the country road.
"Just pokilg," he said, staccato.
''But this is my first trip in one. Ny
country blood is feeling CONCEALED
she gasped as the machine leaped from
the last layers of cobblestones and
went whizzing along the dirt road.
lie 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
quayered.
That's exactly what we're doing"
he said calmly. ''In fact, we're elop-
ing"
"Of all thingsr' Her exclamation
now expressed the settled conviction
that he was a 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 at him somewhat hopeful
". At least his memory was not en-
tirely gone.
ST 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 were apathetic crea
lures without a 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 leased
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. 81
am giving you your wish. You are be-
ing abducted in the style of the middle
ages
you're a bruter she said conclu-
sively.
''Oh, not quite SO bad as thatr' ex-
tenuatingly. .'Of course I could not
furnish the absolutely proper stage set
tings. You will observe that [ had to
omit the white palfrey I didn't plan
this in time to advertise for white
palfrey, and / thought I 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? %
81 hate you," she responded Jelly.
That's no obstacle to a determined
knight of the middle ages" He was
exceedingly cheerful. '.In 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 tragically firm.
'I'll get out and walk"
'sYou might if l slowed up the ma
chine" He put Oh more speed DELHI
erately. But jumping out just at this
stage of the game would be a some
what dangerous feat
She dropped into her seat resentful-
~. 81 have heard Of a 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 1 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 nearest
minister"
s'Then we will wear this automobile
to a fragile. / 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
lyaoo on ipHafpitoIy
ssOh, 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 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
miles from anywhere or anybody and
the power given out"
She didn't say word, but reached