The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-11-03
A Risky Expedient.
[OriginaI.l

or carriages On FIFTH avenue is often
so great that mounted policemen are
stationed at intervals to keep them In
line and extricate them when blocked.
One afternoon as it was growing dark
gentleman threaded his way to a
stalled carriage and mounted to the
box beside the liveried coachman. As
constituent kept the latter silent for
moment; then when he was about
to speak the gentleman stopped him.
James" he said in a low voice,
'.you know me?"
Certainly, Mr. Townsend"
You also know that / am a friend
Of your mistress. Now, wish you to
relfnquish the reins to me. Get of
| the box and disappear in the throng.
| Come to my Office tomorrow and you
viii receive five years wages"
| There was little hesitancy in accept
ing such a tempting offer. He had
often seen the gentleman at his mis-
tress' house. Doubtless he meditated
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 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 a
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, IL 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 a porte
cochere. The man on the box gave
call, which was answered by a 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 by which she
had come. It was locked.
What does this meanY' she cried,
both indignant and terrified.
THAT you are prisoner"
"a prisoner
Eyes, but don't distress yourself. You
will come to no harm. You VIII be
treated with every respect"
Beyond this Miss Van Deveer could
get no satisfaction. She at last con-
scented 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. 1t read:
Your treatment Of me has made me
desperate. l 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.
It was but a 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
:, handed haughtily.
'If am crazy I have been made SC
by love for YOU
2 81 demand to be sent home immedi
] ately. They win be frightened at my
| absence. 1t is not proper that should
: be here in your house"
"As to the first I care nothing. AS to
the second, you shall be treated as be
: comes the lady you are"
g do you realize that when my being
Q here is known, as it will be If / do not
q leave Immediately, shall be severely
criticised?'
"All the more reason for you to com
ply with the terms Of ransom and &c
at once"
The lady was talking excitedly, tbs
: gentleman as coolly as if he were ar
: Italian bandit ready to cut of her cal
!, and send it to her relatives.
ST supposed, Frank Townsend, tina
you were reckless. but / never tool
!. you for fool
"A fool will pull the house dow1
over his head and the woman h'
!. loves"
= do you mean to say that you viii
permit this act to be known anon.
. your friends and be cut by every on
of them? As soon as they hear al
they will exonerate me-"
"If can't win you am ready to b.
L cut by the whole world"
There was no promise of relenting
= Miss Van Deveer stood looking at he
y captor with a curious expression
Through all her blowing hot and col,
4 she had intended to marry him. In
deed, she was desperately In love wit
him. If she allowed this unheard o
affair to proceed it meant ruin to al
concerned. There was no alternati7
except capitulation.
:. "Order the carriage" she said
ut is at the door, and my coachmaI
is on the box. Come. / can get 20
: home before the dinner hour"
Mr.. Townsend and Miss Van Devee