Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1908-06-12

The colonel leaped from his car and
ran to help the travellers out of their
predicament.
BE careful, miss-there, I'll help
you up" and he lifted from the vines
and tall grasses beside the road q
slender form garbed in gray.
"Is she hurt?" came a voice from
the depth of the tangled saplings, as
her companion forced his way toward
them.
Turning, the colonel recognized in
the bedraggled cavalier-Roberts.
He almost feared to look at the
young woman who was regaining her
feet-but he did. 1t was as he sus.
pected.
II am SO sorry" he began. II sup
posed there was clear road
I'VE don't blame you at ALL re-
piled Roberts, cheerfully, "but the fact
is, it is somewhat embarrassing,
Grace's-Miss Dewey's horse has run
off and we-that Is, well, we want to
get to Rockwell City mighty bad
and quick!"
Il am sure 1t was no fault of yours"
ing her feet and showing constant
ly increasing discontinue.
, The red motor car glared at thu
trio wickedly as IL it we're glad 1t had
disconnected the plans of any enemy OF
it's master
Now, colonel, hate to tell you
this" began Roberts, nervo'sly. Il
am sure you will sympathize with me
and with Grace - Miss Dewey.
You see, colonel, we are--that is, well,
we are going to be married"
| If the red automobile had turned
somersaults, if the river had suddenly
stood on end, the colonel could scarce
| ly have been more taken aback. He
turned his face so that it would not
show pale in the glare of the pilot
| lamp.
Yes, 1 understand he finally man
aged to say.
And Miss Dewey's father does not
like it very WE'LL" with the suspicion
of laugh in the words. I'm fact, he
will probably be after us when he
finds out We have come this round.
about way to throw him off the track
and you see where we are?'
Yes, see," was the slow response,
The colonels voice was strangely
cold, and he was conscious of a dis
tinct effort in getting the words out in
the proper form. Il see. You are
afraid he will catch you before you
are married? He does not like army
! men?"
There was an odd twist in the
colonels voice as if he. too, were in
clined to smile.
Papa has his prejudices, you
know" put in Miss Dewey, demurely.
He will miss us before long the
lieutenants words fairly dripped with
excitement He peered anxiously
down the road. And Graces horse
has gone for good"
my duty is clear" began the
colonel. his voice still husky. Il know
very we'll that you young people
should be taken in charge. You, lieu
tenant, should be put under ar
rest and you, Miss Grace, ought
to be turned over to your IA
ther. You both know that this should
be done"
He had not looked at them while
he talked-now that he did, he saw
that Roberts arm was around the
rancher's daughter and that her eyes
were gazing appealingly toward him.
He always had admired those blue
eyes-he looked into them, his heart
in the glance, then with dash of his
hand wiped out the vision.
"You scapegraccs deserve this-but
| don't know that your father. miss, Is
any friend of mine. Where did you
say you wanted to go?"
ITO Rockwell City-to minister's"
eagerly exclaimed Roberts.
"Climb in here-send that horse OF
yours up the road-we'll get him in
the morning" His orders were posi-
tive and definite.
A stroke of the whip and the lieu
tenants mount went racing up the
path after the ranch girls Rex. ROB
erts and Grace clambered into the car
With a crunch the car started, and
in another minute they were speeding
toward Rockwell City. 40 miles an
hour.
Up the deserted street. across the
railroad tracks, past the hotel with
it's many lights they sped. With jolt
thev stopped at a modest dwelling on
side street. Col. Leith was first to
leap from the car.
Gently he helped the young woman
from her place, and his strong hand
was in hers as he gave her to Rob
erts' care.
This is a very informal and undig
nified proceeding, young people," he
began. II am sorry to see you dc
this way" He was talking against
time, for SO long as he talked her hand
lay in his. II am not going to give
my approval-but will give my bless
| tn