The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-07
THE EVENING STORY
The Force OF Exan,pIe.
(By KENYON SandsO

hHte4S, ana brought UP at the steps
with an abruptnesS that all but sent
him headIong through the wind
shield.
! On the wide veranda. Col Thorn
ton Ton was Vas pacing agitatedIy to and fro.
eyes flashing fire.
Its come at last. just as ex-
pected, he raved as the car came
to its spectacular stop. "Mabel has
gone with that young upstart. Nixon
derstand That's why sent for you.
"a go with you myself, If riding in
the wind didn't bring on my asthma
SO. I'd go with you and make it hot
| you'll have to take Nell. She'll
know what to do Ho. Nell! NELL"
he called suddenly through the open
front door. Here's Jimmy in the
racer. Hurry up! You haven't a min
ute to Iose!''
Light footsteps battered on the
stairs. Onto the veranda came Nell
to Worthwhile. of course" the colonel
! declared. You can get 'em if you
hurry. Let out that car Jimmy.
Don't let 'em make IL ahead of you"
Jimmy opened up the car and down
| the drive they went at a reckless
| pace, swung into the road and went
whirling towards Worthwhile. leaving
in their wake a cloud of dust that
rose even above the tree tops
Once they reached a straight
| stretch of road. Brice leaned toward
the girl beside him.
Wen overtake EN-. if they haven't
| too much of a start" he declared.
How long have they been gomez
Half an hour" she answered.
Then Wee got EN- said he en-
head this thing off"
"Of course" she agreed. but some
how Jimmy was impressed with the
idea that she was not overenthusiastic
about it.
co. said he. shes desperately in
love with him and Nixon isn't half
bad chap"
That's impossible" said she.
"She's nothing but a child. I 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 a
They reached a fork in the road.
One branch led to Worthwhile; the
other to Standish.
Jimmy swung the car into the left
full speed again.
What are you going to do when you
catch them?" he asked.
81 shall be very firm, and you must
back me up"
''Au right" he agreed cheerfully. "Of
course 1 will; but honestly. Nell, 1 hate
like fury to butt in.
You're not going to desert me at the
critical moment, are you?" she ques- |
toned anxiouSly.
Sure I'm not! Watch me-" he
The soft May dusk was coming on.
They shot past houses in which the
lights were already beginning to
twinkle.
Seems to me we ought to be getting |
a squint at them pretty soon," said he
There's a car ahead she cried sud
denly "Hurry-oh hurry
The road car 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 Fooled again?
he Knocked. Il believe they're going to
make it after all"
''They nustn'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 go? Have you
any idea ?"
''The parsonage of the brick church.
the girl explained THAT is where all
such couples head for, 7 believe"
They tarned corner. Just ahead
was a little church, nesting beneath
giant elmS and beside the church was
a snug little parsonage.
The car came to a 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
step right into the par1or. if you
please she invited.
HAS a 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 a word of explanation jim
my pushed past her. and with the girl
following after, he strobe into room
where a pleasant-faced clergyman was
reading the marriage service sonorous-
ly. Jimmy took step forward. stop
ped. chuckled, and turned to Nell be
side him The couple was not the one
they sought.
barrassed silence they heard the couple
pronounced man 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
his mistake, when suddenly he squar-
ed his shoulders, looked quickly at !
Nell and then faced his interlocutor !
resolutely. And almost before the girl ]
had given the requested in
formation and the clergyman had