The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-02
THE EVENING STORY
Dams silver Lining.
[By. w. F. Bryant.

LBy. w. f. Bryant.
81 think 1 can make it," said Shell
don confidently. My car is not as
fast as your fathers but we ought to
be able to get a fair start, and with
a half hour handicap. We'll be in town
and married before he can catch up
with U.s."
81 hope So" said Patrice. 'I
should hate to be caught and carried
back in disgrace, Dam
You won't be-" he promised con-
Hdently. You be on the edge of the
grounds tomorrow at 8. BY the time
they find out that you are gone it will
be impossible to catch u.s."
Il don't see why father cannot be
nice and let us be married at home"
pouted Patrice. Just because there
has been bad blood in the two fami-
lies since your grandfather and mine
should not marry"
your father thinks otherwise"
laughed Dan. IAN elopment is the
only thing left since he watches you
so closely and there is no hope of ever
obtaining his consent"
I'll be ready just at 81 she re-
Piled quietly. BE sure to be on time"
Don't worry" he returned as he
bent to kiss her. Everything will
come out all right"
Patrice looked after him wistfully
as he slipped through the trees. She
disliked the idea Of deception, but 1t
was apparent that her father would
never consent to her marriage to Dan
Sheldon and an elopement was inevi-
table. She could not give up Dan.
The main road ran past the Carney
estate straight to the town, twenty
five miles away. With a clear track
town and become lost in the streets
long before her fathers powerful car
could catch up with them.
1t was difficult to slip away as 8
o'clock approached, but Patrice
managed to find an excuse, and as
Sheldon. in his dark green car, came
up the road, she stepped through the
trees beside the road.
Earlier in the morning she had hid
den a satchel with some necessities in
the little clump of elms, and now she
tossed this into the car and climbed to
the seat beside Dan. The tonneau
had been removed and the car strip
ped to tighten the weight and in
crease the speed. Almost before she
had settled herself the car shot for |
ward again.
She turned to look back and gave a |
little cry. Just as they passed an open |
space, her father had come out on the |
piazza and had seen them. She could |
now discern his figure running toward |
the garage as clump of trees inter- |
vened.
Cant we turn up some side road ?"
she suggested after she had told Dan |
of his discovery.
He shook his head.
st think we had better make
straight for town." he said. 1--WE
shall have at least ten minutes start |
and we may be able to do it."
Lets hope so,' she cried. Don't
let us be caught
Don't worry" he cried, as he
threw the lever to the highest speed.
eff we are caught, we will at least
know that there has been a race"
tn, -, af I'D nd a
girl looked back to discover the ap-
preach of the pursuers. Dan kept his
glance fastened upon the road ahead,
and gripped the steering wheel with
a speed that required the utmost care
in steering and he could not turn to
look back.
For ten minutes they sped along
and still no pursuit was reported. Dan
began to hope that all would go we'll |
rwo miles beyond the road made a
sharp turn through a thickly wooded
tract and Dan slowed up slightly for
the curve. AS they came round the
bend he uttered an exclamation and
On had been drawn across the road
and he was compelled to halt.
"Get that wagon out of the way"
ne shouted. Instead the man slowly
climbed down from the seat of the
vehicle.
IT guess 1 wouldn't be in such a
hurry to give orders if I was you," he
said as he came numbering toward
Them. I'm the constable here and
there amt no fresh city chaps as kin
rest in Woodey township 1 guess
you'll have to see the squire about
violating them speed regulations"
Cant I pay you the fine?" pleaded
Dan. I'm in great hurry to get TO
own. The penalty is $40, isn't it?"
'HThat's what it Isl was the reply,
but Il you think you're going to give
ne the money and then say 1 took
oribe you're mistaken. We do things
regular and in order in this township"
but we are eloping," pleaded Pat
ice. my father is right behind
Won't you let us go, please?"
eff you're in hurry" said the con-
table dryly, you'd better stop talk
Jump in" invited Dan. ct guess
he three of US can manage"
The constable sat on the bottom of
he car and indicated the road.
Drive right up there" he COM
handed. .'The justice is sitting and
lell try your case at once"
They turned up the middle path
hat wound through the woods and
presently they were In the tiny court
DOM that formed a part of the wood
he'd on the farmhouse
The trial was conducted with the
expedition of long practice. Dan
pleaded guilty, paid his fine and turn
d away.
ct guess Wen. run into your father
lie said dolefully. mo chance of a
Wedding now"
"Goin' to get married." inquired
he justice. What you want to go to
own for? I guess I can hitch you up
bout as tight as any city parson.
It's only IS.
There's a silver lining to every
loud" laughed Dan. Come, Pat, |