The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-07
TIE EVENING STORY
An Automobile Acquiescence
(By Stacey z. Bakery

ging pace never would have estab-
lished speed records. All this, there
fore, was a modification Of trouble,
and hardly called for the shrill
screams of the girl.
It all came about through Lonnie's
omnipresent curiosity. No sooner had
her chum and hostess. Mrs. Greg Hol-
trance into small shop to pay bill
than the blue-eyed. yellow-haired girl
from New York felt an uncomfortable
impulse to seize the wheel and give it
just one wee turn
In cab-cluttered Gotham Miss Lees
automobile excursions had been me-
chemically managed by her fathers
driver, with Miss Lee sedately seated
on a real seat; but Mrs. Holsen's run
about was invariably guided by that
estimable young matron herself. 1t
was easy. Miss Lonnie Lee was posi-
tive of it. Besides. this was such an
inf1nitesimal bit of a machine Any one
could run it.
Reaching forth a daintily gfoved
hand. Lonnie seized the wheel and
gave it sharp turn With joyous
throb the little machine seemed to
culver for moment; then it positive
ly sprang into the air and raced down
the road
Miss Lonnie had expected a mild.
1adylike response to her touch. Such
demonstration as this drove the wee,
undeveloped germ of reason out of her
frivolous little head, and scream after
scream, two-lung power, punctured the
country silence, and frightened the
Carcordians almost into fits.
Carcord was only the smallest of
dots on the map of the state. II was
conservative, reserved. and. until now,
quiet. Only the best summer So
5ournerS from the larger cities visited
Carcord. for the possession of all avail
able property in this select community
was limited to few discerning peo-
ple-people who knew the earmarks
Of blue blood without asking one who
his or her great-great-grandfa
was.
Mrs. Greg Holsen, at Lonnie's first
staccato stab at the atmosphere, ma
terialized in the door of the shop. Her
drowned in more hair-raising shrieks
from the runabout. Miss Lonnie was
not in a receptive mood.
The runabout kept to the road, am
bling along in a business-like way, and,
as this was down grade, gradually in
creasing in motion. 1t was early in the
season at Carcord. Later a dozen cars
would have instantly started in pur-
suit, but now Mrs. Greg Holsen, with
the guests of her house party. were the
only summer sojourners in the commu-
nifty, and automobiles were conspicu-
ously rare among the natives.
Lonnie Lee, shifting speedily from
center stage, so to speak, left an able
understudy in the pretty person Of Mrs.
Holsen. The screams of the departed
damsel were as nothing compared to
the lung expanding yells escaping the
fair lips of the young matron. Open
mouthed, the natives congregated. This
was new phase of city sensational
ism.
Just as the hysterical Mrs. Greg Hol-
sen was about to establish a record
ing to the whiSkered ones interested in
the lady'S vocal demonstration and
drew to an abrupt stop in front OF the
little shop.
ed, not too daintily, the arm of the wo-
man.. "Stop that noise, and tell me
what 1t is all aboutI'
With one last shrek for good meas
ure, Mrs. Greg obeyed, and turned
angry eyes on her brother.
Jack! How can you stand here when
that poor, dear girl may be dashed to
pieces at any moment?'
What poor. dear grip" demanded
the youth, impatiently. And for
heavens sake. Louise. quit snuffing,
and get down to facts
Jack Ellston was an athletic youth,
broad shouldered. His night-black eyes
stared impatiently at his sister.
'Well?'' he demanded.
Why, Lonnie Lee, of course" walled
the overwrought matron. who else
started away with me in my runabouc
and now it's runaway with herr
Ellston wanted to hear no more. In
an instant he was in his machine, and
with a bound the great car rolled down
the broad pike in the direction the run
away runabout had taken.
Only the evening before the youth
had ventured to ask a certain favor of
Miss Lonnie Lee. This favor had been
withheld, pending careful thought, bur
Miss Lee gave little encouragement for
scion. Lonnie Lee at times took her
self most seriously. While winsome III
these moods, she was also quite
unapproachable. Professional careers
a-plenty she had mapped out for her
self. Now she would be a nurse.
Ellston reviewed the situation as he
drove his fast car upthe none-too-steep
but long slope now reducing the dis
lance between him and the one girl.
Miss Lee was screaming no longer. She
was bent forward, her face in her arms,
and sobbing her utter hopelessness.
"Lonniep'
The girl suddenly ceased her teary
deluge and raised her head.
Jack"
Never in all the years that Ellston
had known her had he heard her give
this particular information to his given
name. 1t stirred his blood and, in an
instant. made him forceful. compelling,
changing his mission of rescue to one
of selfish purpose.
"Lonnie, I have come for my an
swer."
But, JACK. InlS Is no time lot Senl1-
ment. Help mel Save mel I can't
answer you now"
There was a certain sternness about
the youths well-molded jaw. His eyes
as he made answer, were expression
less.
ct shall not save YOU. Lonnie, until
you give me my answer: until you agree
to become r wife. Every instant we
spend here brings you nearer to deaths
door. over yonder~hill is a sharp turn
in the road, with a ledge straight ahead
hundreds Of feet deep and filled with
rocks"
You don't love me-" walled the girl
nr-ifIa r.aftara ad Il