Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-28
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
Dnwiddies' Wedding Journey.-By Florence E. Brooks
E C.


had been an enthusiastic member of
the Gentlemen's Automobile club;
therefore his friends were not at all
surprised with the announcement that
he intended taking his wedding trip in
one of these machines. He and his
bride were to spend three weeks in
this way, going where fancy dictated.
The quiet morning wedding was held
ut the country home of the bride, and.
with the exception of the two families
and officiating clergymen, no one was
present except Ronald Smith, the
groom's chum and almost brother, who
was equally addicted to the auto,
though not so expert in its manage
ment.
The wedding service was over. and
the moment had arrived for the de-
parture of the bridal couple Every
one was out on the driveway to bid
them godspeed. The baggage having
been sent on ahead, the bride was
helped to her seat, and her newly
made husband was about to take his
place beside her when upon putting
his hand into his pocket a blank look
overspread his face.
Well" he exclaimed. Il came I'M
comfortably near forgetting my pocl.
etbook.'
= With this he ran into the house, en-
tering the room where he remembered
having placed it while he dressed. 1t
was not there. and while he continued
the search his bride became FESTIVE
and began examining the various parts
of the auto, when suddenly it started
| to move.
Ronald Smith sprang up beside her
and franticaily attempted to stop the
machine. Working with it a moment
he was Mortified to see it shoot off al
full speed.
The little bride screamed and wildly
clutched the back of her seat.
Strange l can't stop this thing,
calculated Smith There seems to be
something about it new to me-"
His repeated efforts were of no avail
and they We're now out of sight of the
house and going as fast as ever.
"Oh, Mr.. Smith. can't you stop it,
| walled the poor bride.
THE most l can do is to keep it IL
| the middle of the road Mrs. Dinwid
die
what will Algernon Think
THAT you've gone with anothe
| though not q handSomer man." he sale
with Il laugh.
Il don't think that was a bit nic'
of you" she pouted.
81 beg your pardon. Mrs. Dinwid
die"
At the new title she blushed PRETTY
then said:
But if you can't stop this horribl
machine we shall be killed"
"Oh, no. But sit perfectly still ant
hold on tightly. There is one comfort
1t can't go on forever. like the brook
you know" said Smith consolingly.
They We're tearing along like mac
| The fence rails at the roadside appear
ed almost continuous and the trees
confused mass. Smiths hat ha
| blown off. He did not dare to look
the right or to the left, but concer
trated all his energies to the task G
keeping to the road.
The farmers in the fields which the
passed gazed after them with ope
mouthed amazement.
, Just then Smith discovered comm
, wagon.
Turn out! Turn out, for God
sake.' he roared.
= Thus admonished. the driver of th
wagon quickly did as requested.
was a close shave. and the tremblin
, bride drew long breath of relic
when they had safely passed. The
she remembered a long, steep hi
: ahead. go,
1--WE can never go down that hill ;
this rate of speed" she exclaimed e,
citedly. Turn off. Mr.. Smith: turn o
quickly, Down that road to the left
pointing.
where does 1t go?"
"Oh, I'm sure I don't know, but an
where is better than that hill"
Smith. who now felt. as If his ha