Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-17
\ MOTOR.CAR ELOPEMENT.

II was not nice thing to do, but Mr.
Basirg of Basiug's old bank, Stanm-
thorpe. head of the London financial firm
Of Basing & Smart, doubtless thought he
was justified and. indeed, he had never
been prescriptions. So when his only
daughter. in extricating a handkerchief
from the ridiculous little bag which
served her as a pocket. unwittingiy drew
forth an important letter, which. upper
ceived by her. huttercd to the carpet, he
promptly placed his foot upon it
ITS not bit of use pleading for HIM
he said. You don't marry that IDLE
.pendthrift ii can help it.
Frank Mayhew is not that" she re-
piled You are always saying he can't
10 anything. but he can drive motor
ear better than anybody ] know; he
plays football, cricket and golf splendid
~, and"
Mr.. Basing interrupted with snort.
PLAYS; that's Just it. Your husband
must know how to work
The girl left the room without another
word
Mr.. Basing smiled grimiy and picked
up the letter. which he had no scruple
about reading. II was written in a bold
hand and ram a. follows
My darling Bessie have got the IL
ccnse. also your travelling trunk and
dressing case-thanks to the porter At
Q o'clock sharp I'll be at the corner Of
Dean road with the new car and the bag
gage. have fixed up everything. Wen
reach Northlcieh by 10 and be married
by half past.
yours ever Frank"
Mr. Basing thought a moment, made
up his mind with his usual decision, and
rocked at his watch. 1t was S:45. He
could get to the corner of Dean road in
ten minutes.
The car was there, big twenty horse
power. moving slowly. Mayhem saw
him instantly, hcsitated moment, then
drove up to the curb and stopped.
"Good morning" he said, az cheerfully
As if nothing untoward had happened.
Just trying my new car. She's Il
beauty, isn't she:"
Looks. all right" said Mr.. Basing,
but I'm no judge. No time for motor
rides as a rule, but | don't mind if /
have spin this morning"
Mayhem took him aboard. remarking
Cars are like some people
all right when you know them, but jolly
dangerous when you don't"
so / suppose. But my daughter tells
me that YOU are a fine driver, and if
that's the case the risk won't be great
It's a pity she's not going with us" Mr..
Basing added, artfully.
The remark gave Mayhem an idea.
Il wish she were,' he said. ''But you
can't 90 for spin dressed like that, sir.
You want warmer overcoat and your
tall hat will be a picture before we have
covered ten miles, And he moved the
lever.
This coat will do well, and so will the
hat Mr.. Basing rejoined.
STEADY steady. Mayhew!' he shout
ed. III you are going on at this rate I'd
sooner get down."
Crouched over the steering wheel,
watching the road narrowly, Mayhem
had been handling, or pretending to han
die. the levers for at least five minutes.
He took his eyes off the road for an in
slant
Il told you didn't know the car" he
said, and that it was dangerous"
"Why-what's the matter"
Don't talk, please. The car won't
stop"
4 lead of hay doomed up in the road,
seeming to ill it from side to side In
an instant the great machine was close
upon it, swerved round it ON two wheels.
missing a cyciist by four inches. and ca
recred along.
Nh Bading groaned We'll both be
Killed. he cried. What's to be done ?
Is it safer behind? Can climb over?"
NO, no. Sit still" Mayhem shouted
back. The rear of the car was packed
with baggage Miss Basing's big trunk
bearing her initials in fourin letters.
her dressing case and his own largest
kit bag. There's apparently nothing for
ii but to let her go until all the petrol's
gone" lie went on She'll stop then
right enough. Don't do anything to dis
tract my attention and I'll pull you
through
Presently Mayhem spoke again
BY the way, have you any idea where
we are?"
Close to Stanuithorpe. my natiy,
Ipluce" MI Ba>ing answered, gloomIy
! But NayhaW remembered that his com
Ipaujou WA, chief proprietor of the ol,
hank at Stannithorpc, and. thinking hi
ireyenge had gone far enough, he resolve,
! to bring the car to a stand at the hanl
| door
Past ~ few Struggling houses the,
whizzed at thirty miles an hour, and >uol
entered the market street, where NAV
Thew made another great show OF slack
ening speed this time with success. fo
the street for full of people. excited
clamoruus, Surging about a hig ,top
building, whose front bore in large sill
letters the words, "Basir4'- old bank
There's something wrong Mr. Basin.
cried. as soon rs he saw the crowd. II
iyou could only manage To pull up No,
might DO me great service.
MAYHEM nodded and after another wei
simulated struggle with the levers cen
triFed to bnng the c3r that wouldn't ~t3-
Of its own accord to a stand as clos
To the bank as the crowd would hermit