Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-09-14
THE FORCE OF
EXAMPLE,
A Race After the Ru1aways That
Was Not a Failure.
BY KENYON SANDS.
[Copyright. 1909. by Associated Literary

ruptneSs that all but sent him head
long through thu wind shield.
On the wide veranla Colonel Thorn
ton was pacing agitatedly to and fro
his lips set tight and his keen old eyes
flashing fire.
"It's come at last, just as ! expect.
ed" he raved as the car came to its
| spectacular STOP "Mabei has gone
with that young upstart Nixon
gone-gone-eloped! Do you under
stand? That's why sent for you. I'D
60 with you myself II riding in the
wind didn't bring on my asthma so
I'd 20 with you and make 1t hot fol
him, swear | would AS 1t is you'll
have to take Nell. She'll know what
| to do. Ho. Nell. Nellw he called sun.
denly through the open front door
Here's Jimmy In the racer. Hurry
up. You haven't minute to lose"
Light footsteps pattered on the
stairs. On to the veranda came Nell
Thornton.
They've gone across the state line
to Worthwhile. of course" the colonel
| declared. You can get 'em If you
hurry. Let out that car, Jimmy. Don't
let 'em make II ahead Of you"
Jimmy opened up the car, and down
the drive they went at a reckless pace.
swung into the road and went whirl.
| ing toward Worthwhile, leaving in their
wake cloud Of dust that rose even
above the treetops.
Once they reached straight stretch
| Of road Brice leaned toward the girl
beside him.
"We'll overtake 'em II they haven't
too much of a start" he declared
"How long have they been gomez
Half an hour" she answered.
"Then we've got 'em." said he en-.
couragingly. "Of course we've got to
head this thing off,"
"Of course" she agreed. but some
how Jimmy was impressed with the
idea that she was not overenthusiastic
| about It,
Il almost wish we could let 'em CO."
said he. "She's desperately in love
with him. and Nixon isn't half bad
chap"
"That's impossible" said she. She's
nothing but child. l almost think II
she had beer firm with papa he would
| have consented. but to try to take the
matter In her own hands this way has
sent him into frightful rage"
They reached fork In the road. One
branch led to Worthwhile, the other to
Standish.
| Jimmy swung the car into the left
hand branch of the road and gave il
full speed again.
what are you going to do when
you catch them:" he asked.
II shall be very firm. and you must
back me up"
"All right" he agreed cheerfully.
"Of course | will; but, honestly. Nell.
hate like fury to butt in.'
You're not going to desert me nj
| the critical moment, are you?' she
questioned anxiously.
"Sure I'm not! Watch me-" he
laughed.
The soft May dusk was coming on.
They shot past houses in which the
lights were already beginning to twin
| kle.
Seems to me we ought to be get
ting squint at them pretty soon."
said he
"There's n car ahead" she cried sud
denly. "Hurry-oh. hurry"
| The road car seemed fairly to lit
itself from the ground. They sped up
to the car ahead. but It's occupants
were a middle aged couple who looked
up in mild reproof as they tore past.
| Jimmy Brice laughed. "Foiled again!"
he mocked 81 believe they're going
to make it after ALL"
"They mustn't-they mustn't" said
the girl. Cant we go any faster"
Jimmy shook his head This Is her
best speed" he declared.
Now they had reached the outskirts
Of Worthwhile. With honking horn and
undiminished speed they tore along the
elm lined streets.
They've got here ahead Of US, all
right" said Jimmy. "Our only hope is
to interrupt the ceremony before it's
too late. Where'll they 60? Have you
any idea?"
"The parsonage Of the brick church" "
the girl explained. "That is where all
such couples head for, believe"
They turned corner. Just ahead
was little church, nesting beneath
giant elms, and beside the church was
a snug little parsonage.
The car came to stop. Jimmy and
the girl both leaped out and ran up the
path to belabor the polished brass
knocker on the front door. An elderly
woman In cap and apron answered
their strident summons and smiled
upon them knowingly.
"Step right into the parlor, If you
please" she invited.
HAS q couple been here recently
little girl, blond, and man, tall and
dark?" Jimmy asked pantingly.
"Yes: they're in the study now," said
the woman.
| Without word of explanation
Jimmy pushed past her, and, with the
girl following after. he strobe into a
room. where pleasant faced clergy
man was reading the marriage service
sonorously. Jimmy took step for
ward, stopped. chuckled and turned to
Nell, beside him. The couple was moi
the one they sought.
Then even as they stood there In
embarrassed silence they heard the
couple pronounced husband and wife
"And now. my young friends" said
the clergyman tentatively, advancing
In their direction.
"Have you married any other couple
today?" Nell gasped.
The clergyman shook his head.
. "Of course you haven't your II.
, censes," he said to Jimmy. "Fortu'
nately the clerk Of this town lives next
door, and If you will kindly give me
. the necessary information I'll see
about them for you"
. Jimmy began to chuckle. He was
about to explain to the clergyman bis
mistake when suddenly he squared bis
shoulders. looked quickly at Nell and
then faced his interlocutor resolutely
And almost before the girl was aware