The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-01-28
KNIGHT of the
Middle Ages
Bu TROY ALLISON
Copyright. 1905. By Troy AInson...
BIZ TROY ALLISON


grip on the seat.
Crawford guided the automobile Over
the last cobblestone street that led .tC
the country road.
fJust poking. he said, staccato.
But this is my first trip in one Ny
country bIoOu is feeling concealed
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. and little cold chiIls crept up
! and down her spine
Aren't we running away?" she
qusvered.
That's exactly what we're doing. 4"
he said calmly. In fact, we're elOp.
ing"
of all things Her exclamation
now expressed the settled conviction
that be 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 supeTstitionS 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 childr-he turned toward her.
smiling broadly-''you Will have the
goodness 10 behold your fairy god
mother" patting his chest that she
might locate the said gOdmother. Il
am giving you your wish. You are be-
ing abducted in the style Of the middle
ages
You're a brute"' she said conclu-
sively.
"Oh, not quite so bad as that ex-
tenustingly. 'Of course 1 could not
furnish the absolutely proper stage set
tings. You will observe that 1 had TO
omit the white palfreys L didn't plan.
this in time TO advertise for a white
palfrey, and I 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 III
PRODUCES a false chronological nOte''-
sorrowfully-"bUt won't yOu admit
that yOu are more comfortable"
Il hate you" she responded icily.
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 imperiousIy.
mot so were the Sabine women
obeyed." He was tragically firm.
''I'l get out and walk"
You might IL 1 slowed ND the ma
chine" He put on more speed delib.
erately. But jumping out Just at this
stage Of the game would be a some
what dangerous feat"
She dropped into her seat resentful-
~. Il have heard Of a proverb. Mr..
John Crawford"-the sarcasm fin her
voice was intense-"that has probably
never been entertained by your be-
nighted mind. Possibly you have heard
that there is a 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-
lsntly. Perhaps it's part Of your
plan that get my fingers and nose
frostbittens"
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. / hope you have n per- I
petual motion motive power and don't /
depend entirely upon gasoline"
Crawford gave her a startled glance I
from the corner Of his eye, surprised /
that she knew the machine would not !
keep on indefinitely.
"0h, that's all right" cheerfully.
She relspsed into her suIky silence. !
and for the next hour Crawford went /
steadily ahead, whistling occasionally !
TO relieve the .monotony.
He turned the machine into a lonely /
road branching or from the main road.
They passed over a swsmpy spot that !
the automobile almost refused to take. /
He drove farther into the neglected (
and the automobile suddenly I
stopped with snort.
suffering saints he exclaimed dis \
yustedly, hastily jumping out, fifteen
miles from anywhere or anybody and 4
The power given out"