The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-11-04

l =
laxed its threatening attitude.
Faith twas Maggie Milligan and
meself that that run away" Maggie
Milligan's spouse grudgingly admitted,
but it l. pass it UP this time" he
shook warning fist, then stepped
back as the car flew on.
We'll send you a piece of wedding
cake-you and Maggie Milligan," King
called back above the chug of the ma
chine. ..
We lost ten minutes there" Mar
ian,s cheeks were pinker than their
wont, "and there's an absurd little
hamlet just beyond, ruled by a lot
of cast iron Methodist deacons-
selectmen, don't you call them? Well
never come over them with the guile
that did for Paddy-bless his heart
so run slow, Gordon, and steer clear
of pigs, chickens and babies, all of
which will be strewn in the main
road" ..a -.
They passed this village without
misadventure, then the second, third
and fourth. At the fifth, King, per.
haps grown reckless from success,
was held up by a beardless city father
in overalls and parted with his tenn
per and ten dollars-not to mention
20 minutes of valuable time.
There's a ten-mile stretch of open
road ahead" Marian said, as they
reached the outskirts of the sixth vii.
lage. 1--WE can go like the wind, and
oh, Gordon, look" The last rose
to wall of despair.
Toward them came venerable
| white horse harnessed to an equally
venerable surrey, in which were two
black robed women. One sat with her
feet braced against the dashboard,
holding the lines with the. determined
clutch of one who expects death and
Is prepared to meet it halfway. The
other stood, like an avenging angel
facing the car, hand encased in a
black cotton glove raised threatening.
ly, while her voice rose shrilly above
the chug-chug of the machine: You
dasn't come ON when l hold up my
handful have the law on YOU"
King groaned and slackened speed
Marian laughed Historically. Only the
| old gray mare seemed unconcerned
| as she turned her soft eyes, guiltless
of binders, from the occupants of one
| vehicle to another. Perhaps monotony
had palled on her, and even in the
| evening of her existence she wei
coined new sights and sensations.
"My dear madam" King began, a
note of evaporation in his tone. The
(eyes of the lady of the surrey flashed
| fire.
Don't get fresh, young man. I'm
| self-respecting single woman, and
| not your dear, and that thing ain't
| going to pass my Nancy. If il
don't skeer her to death, she'll likely
kick up and break the wagon. You
just stay where you are till l think
what's best to do"
| Marian Devenish slipped down from
the now motionless automobile, and
crossing the few feet OF intervening
road, laid a caressing hand upoI
Nancy's peaceful brow" She doesn'
seem much frightened she smiled VI
at the irate owner. Perhaps if yol
sit down l can lead her past-ah-
that is better. Thank you so much
You are all right, now
| Them things is awful-not filter
for decent folks" the lady mutteret
in extenuation of her belligerency.
"You are a wonder" said King sol
emnly. He doubled. trebled speed ant
they skinned along the sun-scorchei
road.
AS they approached the last little
town before Morley, Kings eyes were
grave. Well never make it ahead O.
the train, dear, thanks to Nancy.
Marian seemed not to hear. She wa!
leaning forward as though waiting fol
something-then a whistle pierced thu
| air. @
| It's the train now-the one Archer
comes on-this is even better, Gordon
for Clara would be at the Morley sta
tion anyway, and might persuade hin
over your head. Drive me right il
here and leave memo, I'm not afrait
you get on the train-you've go
that contract in your pocket-hun
Archer up and make him sign it be
fore you get to Morley-you'n JUS
have time-no, not here, Gordon
( some one might see-anG, dear, please
hurry--hurry."
Three-quarters of an hour later
King stepped from an inbound accom-
mediation onto the platform. The big
red automobile stood silent and de
serted in the dusk; from a secluded
| corner of the ladies' waiting room
Marian Devenish smiled at his ap
proach. -.-.
Its all right" she said as she saw
his radiant face. "I'll be little late
for dinner and Aunt Betty will fuss
but"
Never mind Aunt Betty now King
caught her hands in firm gasoline
| scented grasp. Marian, you told oul
friend Paddy this afternoon that you
| were on your way to be married
you can't go back on that"
But then-it was different-I meant
| that was" she stammered.
1.-The TRUTH" King finished with
creditable decision. Il saw Brook on
the train, and l also saw an old col
l L. oh, xxxh< e.