The daily Alaskan., 1908-10-13
A Risky Expedient.
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 line and extrlcate them when blocked One afternoon us 1t was growing dark gentleman threaded his way to q stalled carriage and mounted to the box beside the liverled coachman. As tonishment kept the latter silent for a moment; then when he was about to speak the gentleman stopped him.
 James" he said in Q low voice, you know me-"
 Certainly, Mir Townsend"
 "You also know that l am a friend of your mistress. Now, wish you tc rellnQulsh the reins to me. Get on the box and disappear in the throng, Come to my office tomorrow and you will receive five years wages.
 There was little hesltancy in accept ing such a tempting offer. He had often seen the gentleman at his mis tress' house. Doubtless he mcditatcd some harmless prank. Turning over the reins. James descended from the box and was lost in the crowd.
 Now, there had been for some time a desperate love game between Mir Townsend and Miss Annette Van De. veer. the occupant of the carriage The lady would encourage her lover for a brief season, when she would suddenly treat him with the most studied indifference. This blowing hot and cold on tho heart alternately Scis the blood coursinG wildly and makes a man do very reckless things. But Frank Townsend was as much Of q genius at the game Of love as Paul Morphy was at the game of chess. He made up his mind to a campaign which if unsuccessful would mark him for a fool, but, if he knew Mss Van Deveer. correctly. would win her.
 The lady wondered why she was so long in reaching her home. When the carriage stopped 1t was under a porte coChere. The man on the box gave a call which was answered by a maid, who came out of the house and receiy. ed whispered instructions from the cOachman. She opened the coach door The lady stepped out. looking about her in surprise, but before she could collect her senses was hurried into the house She became alarmed and turned to go back through the door by which she had come. IL was locked.
 What does thls mean" she cried both indignant and terrified.
 That you are q prisoner"
 "A prisoner"
 "Yes, but don't distress yourself. You will come to no harm. You will be treated with every respect
 Beyond this Mss Van Devccr could get no satisfaction. She at last con. scntcd to go to her room, where she was locked In.
 She had not been there long before the door was opened and a note was thrown in. It read:
 Your treatment Of mo has made me desperate. have Kidnapped you and shall hold you till you have promised to be my wife. It you wish to see me, ring, 'N F. TOWNSEND.
 It was but few minutes before ring was heard downstairs. Then a maid threw open the door and conduct ed Miss Van Deveer to the drawing room, where MT. Townsend awaited her.
 What crazy freak Is this?" she de handed haughtlly.
 If am crazy I have been made so by love for you"
 "I demand to be sent home immedi. otely. They will be frightened at my absence. It Is not proper that I should. be here in your house."
 As 10 the first l care nothing. AS to the second. you shall be treated as be- comes the lady you are,'
 Do you realize that when my being here is known, as 1t will be if do not leave immediately, I shall be severely cri,icSedT
 "All the more reason for you to com- ply with the terms of ransom and go at once"
 ut luul NuS NdlhAhb VNNltSNAs' NAS gentleman as coolly as if he were an Italian bandit ready to cut of her ear and send 1t to her relatives.
 "I supposed, Frank Townsend, that you were reckless, but l never took you for fool"
 "A fool will pull the house down over his head and the woman he loves"
 Do you mean to say that you will permit this act to be known among your friends and be cut by every one of them? AS soon as they hear all they will exonerate me"
 If I can't win you am ready to be cut by the whole world"
 There was no promise of relentlng Miss Van Deveer stood looking at her captor with curious expression. Through all her blowing hot and cold she had intended to marry him. h. deed, she was desperately in love with him. If she allowed this unheard of affair to proceed 1t meant ruin to all FVh,rn pN o1farno tfyn