The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-05
A Risky Expedient.

line ard extricate them when blocked.
One afternoon as 1t was growing dark
gentleman threaded his way TO
stalled carriage aud mounted to the
box beside the llverled coachman. AS
tonishment kept the latter silent for
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 l am a friend
of your mistress. Now. wish you TO
relinqulsh the rens to me. Get Off
the box and disappear In the throng,
Come 10 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 medltated
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
desperate love game between Mr..
Townsend and Miss Annette Van De-
veer, the occupant of the carriage.
The lady would encourage her lover
for 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 n
man do very reckless things. But
Frank Townsend was as much of
genius at the game OF love as Paul
Morphy was at the game of chess. He
made up his mind TO campaign
which II unsuccessful would mark him
for a fool. but. II 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 1t was under n porte
cochere. The man on the box gave q
call, which was answered by Il maid.
who came out of the house and receiv-
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 10y which she
had come. II 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 10 no harm. You will be
treated with every respect"
Beyond this Miss Van Deveer could
get no satisfaction. She at last con-
sented TO 90 to her room, where she
was locked In.
She had not been there long before
the door was opened and n note was
thrown In. 1t read
Your treatment OF mo has made me
desperate. | have kidnapped you and
shall hold you til you have promised to
be my wife IL you wish TO see me- ring,
F. TOWNSEND.
II was but few minutes before a
ring was heard downstairs Then q
maid threw open the door and conduct
ed Miss Van Deveer to the drawing
room, where Mr.. Townsend awaited
her
what crazy freak is this?" she de.
manded haughtily.
"If / am crazy have been made so
by love for you"
II demand TO be sent home immedl.
ately. They will be frightened at my
absence. 1t 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 be-
comes the lady You are"
"Do you realize that when my being
here Is known, as It will be If | do not
leave Immediately, ! shall be severely
criticised"
"All the more reason for you to com
ply with the terms of ransom and go
at once"
The lady was talking excltedly, the
gentleman as coolly as II he were an
Italian bandit ready TO cut Off her ear
and send II to her relatives.
81 supposed, Frank Townsend, that
you were reckless. but | never took
you for a fool"
"a fool will pull the house down
over his head and the woman he
| loves"
DO you mean TO say that you VIII
! permit this act TO he known among
your friends and he cut by every one
of them? AS soon as they hear all
| they VIII eXonerate me-" u
"If | can't win you am ready to be
l cut Ivy the whCie world"
Thee was no promise OF relentIng.
Miss Van Deveer stood looking at her
| captor With curious expression.
Through all her blowing hot and cold
she had intended TO marry him. In
deed. she was desperately In love with
him. II she allowed this unheard of
affair TO proceed 1t meant ruin TO all
concerned. There was no alternative
except capitulatlon.
"Order the carriage" she said.
ut Is at the door. and my coachman
Is on the box. Come. | can get you
home before the dinner hour"
Mr.. Townsend and Miss Van Deveer
got into the carriage together. and the
formers coachman drove .hem to their
home. which they reached just as the
family We're sitting down to dinner
He did not receive an invitation TO
| dine Indaad = u.aq "a month haPopn fh n