The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-26

! sldtlOHeu at intervals TO keep tnem
in line and extricate them when
blocked. One afternoon as It was
| growing dark a gentleman threaded
his way to stalled carriage and
mounted to the box beside the liver
led coachman. Astonshment kept
the latter silent for a moment; then
when he was about to speak the
gentleman stopped him.
James" he said in low voice,
you know me?"
Certainly, Mr.. Townsend"
you also know that am friend
of your mistress. Now, wish you to
relinquish the reins to me. Get off
the box and disappear in the throng,
! Come to my Office tomorrow and YOU
will receive five years wages"
There was little hesitancy in accept
ing such tempting offer
Now there had been for some time
a desperate love game between Mr..
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 the heart alternately
sets the blood coursing wildly and
makes a man do very reckless things
But Frank Townsend was as much
of genius at the game of love as
Paul Murphy was at the game of
chess. He made up his mind TO a
campaign which IL unsuccessful would
mark him for a fool, but, If he knew
Miss Van Deveer correctly, would win
her.
The lady wondered why she was so
long in reaching her home. When
the carriage stopped it was under
porte cochere. The man on the box
gave call. which was answered by
maid, who came out of the house and
received 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. 1t was
locked.
What does this mean?" she cried
both indignant and terrified.
THAT you are a prisoner"
"A prisoner?'
"Yes, but don't distress yourself.
You will come to no harm. You will
be treated with every respect"
Beyond this Miss Van Deveeer
could get no satisfaction. She at last
consented to go to her room, where
she was locked in.
She had not been there long before
the door was opened and note was
thrown In. 1t read:
Your treatment of me has made me
desperate. have kidnapped you and
shall hold you till you have promised
to be my wife. If you wish to see me,
ring, and | will send for you.
f. TOWNSEND.
1t was but few minutes before
ring was heard downstairs. Then a
maid threw open the door and CON
Quoted Miss Van Deveer to the draw
ing room, where Mr.. Townsend
awaited her
What crozy freak is this?" she de-
manded haughtily.
"If ! am crazy | have been made
so by love for you"
81 demand to be sent home immcdi-
ately. They will be frightened at my
absence. It is not proper that /
should be here in your house"
"As to the first | care nothing. AS
to the second, you shall be treated as
becomes the lady you are"
do you realize that when my be-
ing here is known, as 1t will be IL
do not leave Immediately, shall be
severely criticised?"
"All the more reason for you TO
comply with the terms of ransom and
go at once"
The lady was talking excitedly, the
gentleman as coolly as If he were an
Italian bandit ready to cut off her ear
and send IL TO her relatives.
Il supposed, Frank Townsend, that
you were reckless, but / 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 | 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 a curious expression.
Through all her blowing hot and cold
she had intended to marry him In
deed, she was desperately in love with
him. If she allowed this unheard OF
affair 10 proceed 1t meant ruin to all
concerned There was no alternative
except capitulation.
Order the carriage" she said.
ut is at the door. and my coach
man Is on the box. Come. can get
you home before the dinner hour"
Mr. TnWnuand anA MI. w. ~