The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1909-05-28
An ElOpement.

IN.n-e-o-c-f~'%'~'-''-''-' - - -
fcopvrieht 1905. by American Press Asso- .
ciatiOn.l
"Father." said little Clarence La
Mont isn't mother ever coming back
TO u.s."
There was no reply, and in few mo-
ments the boy. who had his arms
about his fathers neck, felt a con-
vulsive tremor.
GO. father. and bring her. You
know where she is, I'm sure"
Still the father did not speak. In
stead he Rugged his son closely to him.
Then suddenly he said:
"For your sake, Clarence, III make
an effort"
A lady driven up to her country resi-
dence in an automobile alighted and
hurried into the house. In the hail she
was accosted by a tall, intellectual
looking man. but with something weak
in his expression.
"Why. dear. what has kept youf
Dinner has been ready half an hour"
"Wen. well. must | always be on the
minuteY" And instead Of waiting for
the usual kiss she hurried upstairs to
lay aside her wraps
Something wrong again." he NUT
tered. I'VE who defy the social code
must pay the penalty. But she has
always recovered from these moments
Of remorse. Doubtless she will do so
now"
The recovery I'm this case did not
come. Instead a gloom settled over
the woman that he could not dispel.
though he made every effort. He tried
10 win her from her melancholy by
caresses. She repulsed him. He took
her to the opera. 10 theaters. every
where. anywhere that he could place
her I'm an atmosphere Of excitement.
She seemed for awhile 10 be lending
herself willingly TO the plan, but there
was no change I'm her. and at last she
declined TO pursue It further. One
thing alone she followed Of her own
choice. Every day an automobile
wheeled 10 the door. and she entered II
and sped away for a drive that was
never short and often very long.
lie was comforted that what could
not be produced 10y other amusements
was effected by this Doubtless the
hreakneck speed with an element Of
danger IN #. served to overcome re-
morse But ne feared that one Of the
many accidents constantly occurring
would happen TO her
"Sweetheart7 he said one day after
her return from a ride, do you drive
very fastf'
as fast as the machine can be
driven"
Are YOU not afraidF'
"No. Automobile accidents do not
MAIN: they give us oblivion"
He sighed and started to take her in
his arms. but she turned away.
The next day when she went TO ride
he told her that he would go with her
He wished to observe if the chauffeur
was careful or reckless. She passiyely
consented He was satisfied with
what he saw. There was no careless
ness mo- reckless speed. but she SAL
beside him unmovcd by any word be
spoke 10 her and apparently uninter-
estcd I'm her surroundings She was
like n woman Of stone.
Coming 10 broad road stretching
straight ahead for several miles. ne
ordered the chauffeur 10 increase the
speed again and again till the machine
was flying ike the wind. Still the wo-
man beside him sat like a statue. He
felt for her hand, expecting That
moved by the awful speed at which
they we're running. she would involun-
,arily clutch his. 1t lay limp in his
palm.
That was the last ride he ever took
with her. The next afternoon when
be came home he was told that she
had gone as usual. in the automobile.
When dinner was announced she had
not returned. He waited half an hour.
then dined alone. His life was becom-
ing intolerable. Despairing Of re-es-
tablishing his former relations. he
wished that something would occur TO
break the connection After dinner he
lighted a cigar. but soon threw 1t
away. Noticing an evening paper on
table beside him. he took II up. On
tho first mage there were headlines I'm
large print announcing an automobile
accident. Two persons, a man and a
woman. were killed.
Strange that he experienced wei
come relief
He did not read what followed. lie
Dad long lived in dread Of something
terrible-he knew not what-and dld
not doubt that this horror was what
he had feared, or II he doubted ne
did not dare read on, fearing a con
| a..,,.fo,, - v,-hot no believed. Con