Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-09-04

A Race After the RunaWays That
Was Not a Failure.
BY KENYON SANDS.

Press
/ Jimmy Brce swung the bic road car
4 into the winding drive, took the SHARP
curve by the house on two wheels ana
brought up at the steps with an ad-
ruptness that all but sent him head
long through the wind Shield.
On the wide yeranda Colonel Thorn
ton was pacing agitatedly to and fro.
his lips set tight and his keen old eyes
flashing fire.
ITS come at last, just as expect
ed" he raved as the car came to its
spectacular stop. "Mabel has gone
with that young upstart Nixon
gone gOne-elopedl Do you under
z stand? That's why sent for you. I'd
so with you myself if riding in the
wind didn't bring on my asthma So
I'D so with you ana make it hot for
him, swear | would As it is you'll
have to take Nell She'll know what
10 do. 10. Nell. Nellr' he called sun
denly through the open front door
Here's Jimmy in the racer Hurry
up! You haven't a minute to loser
Light footsteps battered 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 'efn II you
hurry. Let ont that car, Jimmy Don't
let 'em make it 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 a straight stretch
Of road Brice leaned toward the girl
beside him.
Wen overtake 'em if they haven't
TOO much of start" he declared.
"How long have they been gomez"
Half an hourJ she answered
Then we've got EN-" said he en-
couragingiy. "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 go,''
said he. shes desperately in love
with him, and Nixon isn't half bad
chap
That's impossible" said she. shes
nothing but child. l almost think if
..she had been firm with papa he would
have consented, but to try to take the
matter in her own hands this way has
sent him into Il frightful rage"
They reached a 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. l
hate like fury to butt in"
You're not going to desert me at
the critical moment, are yOuf" she
questioned anxiously.
Sure Pm mott 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 a sQuint at them pretty soon"
said he.
There's a car ahead" she cried sud
denly. "Hurry-Oh. hurry
The road ear seemed fairly to lift
itself from the ground. They sped up
to the car ahead. but its occupants
were a middle aged couple who looked
up in mild reproOf as they tore past
Jimmy Brice laughed. "Foiled again"
ne Knocked 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 aud
undiminished speed they tore along the
elm lined streets.
They've got here ahead Of US, all
IKhia' said Jimmy Our only hope is
to Inerrupt the ceremony before It's
too late. Where1l they go? Have you
any idea?"
1.-THE parsonage of the brick church.
the girl explained. "That is where all
such couples head for, l believe"
They turned corner. Just ahead
was a little church, nesting beneath
giant elms, aud beside the church was
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
4 upOns them knowingly.