Democratic messenger., 1909-03-20
Running
Away From
nj BY
BOD. ETHEL FOWLER.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

With Its expiring chug Janet steered
the runabout into convenient lane,
puttered over It bit. then dropped all
useless effort to revitalize 1t. How
many miles she was from her destlna-
| ton or her home she had no idea. 1t
thousand, she was anchored to stay
as far as the machine was concerned.
She had set out with more haste
than discretion and had left undone
things that should have been done In
preparation for so long run; also she
had neglected to take along other
things that should have been taken In
case OF the emergency which was sure
to present itself.
Emergency without recourse Is never
pleasant. Janet felt It almost tragic.
II portended the failure of her under
taking, intended to impress and sub
due her family and-some others. Was
1t TO end In this silly little fasco?
| Never.
She set her teeth with determination
and went down the road to recon-
noiter. Nothing In sight either way.
She climbed large rock pile at the
roadside and gazed long and intently
In the direction Of her destination. as
II to materialize In the near distance
the factory village whence she had
meant TO speed away on the prosaic
but reliable railway.
She finally persuaded herself that
she perceived spires and chimneys
upon the blank horizon and with more
determination returned to the car,
gathered up her suit case, lunch box,
raincoat and umbrella and set out to
finish the journey with her small, fash
ionably shod feet.
Painting under her load, she eventu-
ally reached the rock pile. rested her
demonstrating. aching little person a
half hour and meekly, with great dis
gust, plodded back to the runabout as
to city Of refuge.
When she packed so large part Of
her personal belongings she had not
considered the possibility OF trans
porting II by main strength, like hod-
carrier.
She could abandon the treacherous
car. but not her plumage. One cannot
make crcditable entrance into a
strange country without suitable
adornmcnt and she felt that her fu-
ture largely depended upon the I'm
preston her unknown relatives receiv-
ed Of her at meeting.
Therefore she resigned herself to
await the passing Of good Samari-
tan. hoping devoutly he would be pos
sessed of large touring car and tow
her into port.
This was entirely matter Of
chance. though. with the probabilities
against 1t. as she had purposely chosen
an unfrequented way to avoid the
auto party she had deserted.
She kicked her heels and reflected
upon her position with anger and self
pity. Bob would go. Of course. In his
big new machine. and equally, Of
course. he would go for her-he could
not avoid that-in spite Of her EN-.
phatic refusal to accompany him.
Her refusal counted for little. or his
reluctance either. with both families
continually fiinging them mt each other
In the most barefaced manner,
Her father had come home beaming
the night before and Informed her that
Bob would he on hand. as he had
taken pains to explain that she (Janet
was expecting him. as usual. the re-
ftisal being Il mere bit Of feminine
coquetry. and her mother had laugh
ingly added that she had met the
young fellow that afternoon looking
very respondent and had cheered him
up by remarklng that Janet never
meant half she said and would be dts
appointed II he failed 10 come for her.
And, to crown all. Bob's mother had
run In and assured her-as II she de-
manded such assurance-that Bob
would be around early. as she had re-
minded him that Janet expected him
20 take her, as usual.
"'As usual"" Jane quoted vindic-
lively. "The poor fellow couldn't get
rid of me II he tried. as l am sure he
has sometimes.' She was not at all
sure Of this. They'd push us to the
very altar without word from either
of us as to willingness. and II I OBJ
jected and Bob hung back they'd 'ex-
plain and assure and force me upon
him. Just had TO run away to re-
iieve him. Though ! haven't got far
yeti will. Some one will come
along"
Some one did few moments later
farmer. going the wrong way. with
a hayrack and large curiosity con-
cerning the machine. which he graf
flied by peering and prying until ia
net was tempted to bid him mind
his own business" He proceeded to do
that same. remarking that he was
"mighty glad to see one o. the dad
blamed things broke down; they'd
skeered his hosses often enough" He
departed. comforting with merriment
at her predicament. and II was not ex-
actly blessing Janet sent after him.
Came next barefooted boy. who
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