Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-03-24
In LO11e or War
By Richard Darker Shelton
Copyright, 1909 by Associated Literary Press)

A great, glad light came into Rem
ick's eyes. AS he did so his hand
went into his pocket and something
crisp and green found its way into
the chauffeur's palm.
Chris. you're a mighty good fell
low; and l think you're a discreet one
as WELL" said he. Nov, have you
enough sporting blood in your veins
to take a chance and do Just as l
say?"
Chris looked a bit dubious. Then
he glanced at the contents OF his right
hand, and his doubts seemed IL be OF
the order that are amenable to rea-
son.
81 want that coat and those cog.
gles," said Remick, land l want to
change places with you for an hour
or So"
Chris hesitated. 1T will cost me
my job, SIR" he said.
an get you another just as good.
Remick declared.
Still Chris hesitated. Remick drew
himself up.
''Will you do it in the peaceable
fashion l suggest" he asked, 'or do
you want me to take that coat and
those goggles by force? I'm desper-
ate, Chris, and at the present moment
I'm perfectly capable Of following
such course"
Chris grinned. That bein' the case,
sir, and in event of anything happenin'
to my job you'll sure find me another,
I'll take chance. Hurry, now" he
went on, sliding out of the car. Miss
: Felicia may come out any minute"
Into the friendly concealment of
nearby doorway the two consipators
stepped. In a moment Remick, his
identity effectually concealed by the
high collar of the yellow coat and the
goggles, climbed into the car, and
perched at the wheel in an attitude very
like the one Chris was prone to affect.
Chris, meantime, swinging Remicks
stick, wearing Remick's hat, and smo-
king, with much satisfaction, one Of
Remick's cigars, strobe jauntily away
down the street and was lost in the
hurrying crowds on the sidewalk.
Three minutes later Felicia came
out Of the little shop. The proprietor
himself opened the door for her, es-
corted her to the car and helped her
In.
And you'll find me a mate to that
candlestick. Mr.. Barlow?" Felicia was
asking.
"Ill do my best, Miss Graham" the
rotund little shopkeeper assured her.
Then, Home, Chris" she ordered,
while Remick's heart all but jumped
out of his mouth.
Away went the car, swung a corner
to the smooth, cleaning asphalt Of
the avenue and went tearing along at
great pace. The streets went past
in rapid succession; a lever was
pressed down and the car answered
with a wild burst Of speed.
Felicia gasped. '.Chris, what has
Mr.. Graham told you often about
speeding this carr" she said severely.
SLOW down at once. You are way
beyond the speed limit"
There was no sign that the chauf,
feUr had heard her. The car, roaring
and putting, shot ahead. Felicia raised
her voice to make herself heard above
the noise of the throbbing engine.
"Chris"-there was a note of alarm
in her voice-"what does this mean
Where on earth are yQa going? You've
passed ths house. Stop! Do you
hear me? Stop at once!"
She reached forward to touch his
arm. They shot across a bridge and
struck smooth, hard macadam road
in the suburbs. The houses were set
hack from the street. The great elmsi
bordering 1t on either side, offered a
> certain friendly concealment
: The car slowed down and stopped.
; On the back seat frightened girl
saw the chauffeur shed his goggles and
whisk down the upturned collar Of his
, coat. And facing her, Remick was
smiling blandly.
Now them" he said in tones he
strove to make matter of fact, 81 shall
proceed at once to dictate that an
swer to my question. You promised.
Felicia! You know you did," he said.
Felicia gasped again. But she was
not the person to accept defeat un-
gracefully. Her head was lifted proud.
ly. Her nose went the fraction of an
inch higher.
Well" said she. proceed with the
dictation."
r Then her eyes fell. A beautiful
} color tinged her cheeks.
: Perhaps not half as
} angry about It all as you imagine,
she obserYd softly.
10 $1,000.