Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-23

ate the rose for me. sure. Ted. Yol
must say you will marry me this
time" he ended, with an air OF dcs-
pcratiOn, "or III
The threat was not completed. In
the earnestness Of his plea Percivale
had forgotten that he was running an
automobile for the first time IN his
life. They were now going at II tire.
mendous speed and every Instant gath
erlng momentum. Edmolla gripped
his arm as they lurched ground
carve and bounced over c6lvcrt.
"IIang on yelled Percivale rs they
approached q slight descent In his
clumsy efforts to control the machine
he inadvertently put on more speed
"What are you doirgr' screamed
Edmonla. "Stop! Why. you are run
ming away with me- she laughed
TREMENDOUSLY.
"Why notY he raodted wildly, AZ
she thought. reck,essly. The idea of
stopping was delectable one now To
Percivalc, but one which he felt tina.
he must abandon.
The roadsides OF fireweed and gold
enrod few by like n track Of flame.
Hens tapped from under his wheels
as they passed farmhouses at rate
OF speed that made the occupants rush
out Of doors to stare after them. Out
| ragged cries followed them when n
barking dog was not quick enough to
elude those blurring wheels and with
a yelp Of pain rolled over and over
into the ditch. Three horses batting
by the roadside In front OF another
house stampeded as they whlzzed by
and raced them out Of sight.
Edmonia now tried to expostulate
with her mad cavalier. But Percivale
said nothing to her almost fearful APP
peals. His whole attention was con-
centrated on keeping the thing within
the limits of the road
Beats Lochinvar!" he yelled breath
lessly as they grazed n watering tub.
Edmonia moaned. You are crazy"
she cried. Lets go home! Oh, take
me home" she commanded him.
"Home!" Percivale ground the word
passionately between his teeth. .'You
Will be lucky IL you ever see home
again. We shall never stop" But
even as he spoke he felt something re-
spond to his CROPPING fingers. The ma
chine was obeying his controlling hand
Joy and relief that rolled over him
like wave made him shout aloud
EdmonIa received this new demon
stration us the exmtation OF captor
and commanded and implored by turn.
But he did not at once diminish his
speed He knew now that Edmonia
had not realized his impotence. He
put the machine at hill and plunged
down the other side. Edmonia was
clinging to him with wild promises.
He brought the car carefully TO n
standstill and climbed painfully to the
ground. Edmonia was sobbing into
her handkerchief He hoped he was
accepting the role Of victorious knight
modestly. but the iron was hotl
Ted" he cried, you've got TO keep
your promise. you know. I'm not much
of n knight. and I don't know how TO
| rum
His unsupported confession was in.
terrupted for the second time as she
suddenly. to his establishment. smiled
up ut him through her tears.
II never was driven like that In my
life" she remarked. with pride. But
but let's go home In buggyr'
mot until we're married." said Per.
civale firmly.
Edmonia refused TO continue In the
car. however. so they walked on TO the
nearest town. where the minister's fee
was the first of series of more nun
dane charges which punctuated their
homeward journey In the buggy.
But In his new JOY, which was only
enhanced by pecuniary interludes with
the wrathful owners of slaughtered
hens, the fearful mistress of an injured
dog and damages due to the recovery
Of Grant horses. Percivale made II a
triumphal Journey.