The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-06-02

lows lost himself, or else the cops
got him. He began to slow down.
Kittie inartlculately murmured
something about smashing the auto
mobile instead OF the record. TO which
John paid no attention.
AS he lifted her down at the par.
sonage he whispered to her: II never
thought you'd show the white feath
err" With laugh. he half pushed
her up the steps to where the parson
was waiting for them.
Kittie, essaying to unite her veil
with trembling fingers, glanced toward
John. who stood. hat in hand, speak.
ing TO the clergyman. She made
rush ana took refuge behind his
reverence.
Il don't want TO marry this man.
don't even know him. and-and-he's
a maniac" she cried Historically.
John turned to look at her. We'll.
would be crazy to marry you. Thun.
der, they'd have me up for baby steal
Ing Who are you. anyway"
I'm Kittie Smith," sobbIngly, but
l don't know who you are"
well, I'm John Smith. My tribe
is numerous, but It doesn't include
grown,up babies" sarcastlcaly.
The parson stood rubbing his hands
together helplessly. We'll. ! do de-
clare! My dear were you expecting
to be married." he asked of KittIe,
Yes, sir, was, to John Colson. I
! 4, l., Of oil
beginning to weep again.
John fidgeted restlessIy. Miss
Smith. can't you shut down the food
gate long enough for explanations?
AS understand 1t, you planned to
elope with John Colson. And |. John
Smith, had q similar arrangement
with Hetty Olsen. Now, where were
you to meet John Colson?"
HE left call for me at the pub.
lie telephone office. and when talked
with him"
But you didn't talk to him. That
bungling operator gave you to me,
and must have given him my party.
iIetty Olsen. Fine mix-up! | thought
that fellow following us was Het's
wrathful sire, but 1t must have been
your John. Now. We'll find them in
one OF three places, at the police sta.
ton, for speeding; at the hospital be.
cause he got in the way Of the pc.
llceman's bullet; or back at the tel.
ephone office waiting for u.s."
At mention Of the first two places
Kit.ie gave another little shrek.
"Oh. stop pulling the whistle. I'll
nave Het give you few lessons. You
wouldn't catch her doing the weep
ing act or squealing over anything
She's clear grit. Het is" he concluded
with evident pride.
The same officer who hailed John
Smith either took better aim or had
lucky accident in the case Of John
Colson. When his second command
to halt seemed likely to be disregard
ed, as was his first. his bullet Just
grazed Johns elbow. benumbing his
arm so that his hand dropped from
the steering wheel. Hetty pushed hin
aside, taking his place before the ca,
had time to sworve
rs It broken?" she asked sympa
thetically.
81 don't know, but that doesn'
matter; what does really matter is
they have got away from us" rue
; fully.
They'll be hunting us when Johr
, finds out that he has the wrong girl.
, said Hetty laughing confidently.
, AS they came to stop the police
man came up swinging his club I'm
pressively. And what do you mean
racin' like that?" he demanded.
John laughed infectlously. IN tel
: you, | was trying to catch n thief
, That fellow ahead was running of
with my best girl. Wouldn't yol
p chase him?"
!, Faith think would. then! Well?'
, beginning to smile.
4 ITS this way. The old folks OBJ
|. iect, and-you know how It's. Through
a mistake he got my girl and ! hav'
q his"
4 Well, g'wan wild ye, but don't y
dare let me catch ye racln' again"
81 think we better return to tn
, TELEPHONE Office" said Hetty. turnlnl
. the car, but as they approached thu
building they saw that the office wa
a closed for the night
a What now?" asked John In
troubled tone.
I'm sure | don't know" replied
Hetty with laugh. ut wouldn't mat
II ter SO much to US, only I'm certain
!. father would never let me mix hi
toddy again. It's oncc-perhaps. twic
Never! with him"
4 And Kittie! Oh. she'll never lie
me mention elope again." said John
- Hello. what's this?" as car cam
|. rushing toward them.
= THAT you, John Colson?" came tn
!. greeting.
= ut certainly u.s." replied he.
- There ensued rapid fire OF quei
lions and answers, an equally rapi
y exchange OF partners. little weeI
: ing on Kitties part over her John
q arm. q speedy ride to the waitin
T. clergyman, and in very short tim
h.nn,, ,oupIaa came out agat