The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-08-17
KNIGHT Of the
Middle Ages
Bp TROY ALLISON
90. .Copurisht. 1905. BY Trou Allison...,

y
fast:" Her eyes were opened to their
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 congealed,'
she gasped as the machine leaped 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, md 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.
"It's 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.
Il 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 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. 81
am giving you your wish. You are be
ing abducted in the style Of the middle
ages"
You're q brutew she said conclu
sively.
"Oh, not quite SO bad as that! ex
tenuatingly "Of course l could no
furnish the absolutely proper stage set
| ~. %Hof r hn1 +,
omit the white palfrey. I didn't plal
this in time to advertise for whit
palfrey, and l thought I might not b
able to handle you as tenderly, chare
ing along upon one. I'll admit tha
the up-to-dateness of this machine in
troduces a false chronological note
sorrowfully-"but won't you admi
that you are more comfortable?"
II hate you," she responded icily.
That's no obstacle to a determine
knight of the middle ages" He wa
exceedingly cheerful. I'm fact, diff
Guilty lends charm to an adventure"
You'll take me home this very mil
ute!" she commended imperiously.
"Not 50 were the Sabine wome
obsyed." He was tragically firm.
"I'll get out and walk"
"You might If 1. slowed up the m;
: s.h!Ie" He put on more speed deli
erately. But jumping out just at tn
stage of the game would be a som
what dangerous feat
She dropped into her seat resentfu
ly. II have heard of proverb, NJ
John Crawford"-the sarcasm in Ii
voice was intense-"that has probab
nsver been entertained by your b
aighted mind. Possibly you have heal
that there is a difficulty in getting
horse to drink, even after you have Il
him to water"
my dear girl, your positive al
strenuous knight Of the middle ag
a. would have staked that horse rig
there until he got SO thirsty he wou
have neished for water"
She sat in silence for the next ha
hour.
10 "I'm almost frozen," she said pet
ed lantiy. perhaps it's part of yo
-. plan that get my fingers and no
~ frootbitten."
s'It's too bad" politely, "but whe
-. ever you are ready to marry me
will head this machine for the neart
: minister"
Then we will wear this automob
to frazzle 1 hope you have a p
pstnal motion motive power and do
depend entirely upon gasoline"
Crawford gave her startled glar
from the corner of his eye, surpris
that she knew the machine would
keep on indefinitely.
- "Oh. that's all right" cheerfully.
She relapsed into her sulky silen
!, aud for the next hour Crawford VIZ
led led steadily ahead, whistling occasiona
sed to relieve the monotony.
;on He turned the machine into lon
's- road branching OF from the main ro
,s ec- They passed over swnmpy spot Il
eat the &utopobfle almost refused to tn
vss He drove farther into the neglec