The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-23

year. but we are going to be married
tonight IL we have to smash the auto.
mobile record. do believe that fell
lows lost himself. or else the cops
got him." He began to slow down.
Ktttie inarticulately murmured
something about smashing the auto
mobile instead of the record. to which
John paid no attention.
Az he lifted her down at the par.
sonage he whispered to her: II never
thought you'd show the white feath-
er." With a 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 a
rush and took refuge behind his
reverence.
Il don't want to marry this man, I
don't even know him. and-and- he's
a mantac," she cried Historically.
John turned to look at her. well,
I 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
I don't know who you are"
"Well, I'm John Smith. My tribe
is numerous. but it doesn't include
grown.up babies" sarcastically.
The parson stood rubbing his hands
together helplessly. well, do de.
clare! My dear, were you expecting
to be married." he asked of Kittie.
Yes. sir. was, to John Colson.
don't know this rough man at ALL"
beginning to weep again.
John fidgeted restlessly. Miss
Smith, can't you shut down the flood
gate long enough for explanations?
AS l understand it, you planned to
elope with John Colson. And l, John
Smith, had 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,
Hetty Olsen. Fine mix-up! 1 thought
that fellow following us was Het's
wrathful sire, but it 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.
liceman's bullet: or back at the tel.
ephone Office waiting for U.S."
At mention of the first two places
Kittie gave another little Shrek.
"Oh, stop pulling the whistle. I'll
have Het give you a 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 him
aside, taking his place before the car
had time to swerve.
"Is it broken?" she asked sympa.
thetically.
Il don't know, but that doesn't
matter; what does really matter is,
they have got away from u.s." rue.
fully.
They'll be hunting us when John
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 infectiously. "1'll tell
you, I was trying to catch thief.
That fellow ahead was running of
with my best girl. Wouldn't you
chase him."
Faith think would, then! Well?"
beginning to smile.
l. "It's this way. The old folks OBJ.
ject, and-you know how tits. Through
mistake he got my girl and have
his" The laughing tone, aided by
little persuader slipped into the
brawny hand resting on the car.
proved potent.
"Well, g'wan wild ye, but don't We
dare let me catch We racin' again"
| "1'll not let you catch me If l can
help It," answered John facetiously.
II think we better return to the
telephone Office" said Hetty. turning
the car. but as they approached the
/
closed for the night.
what now?" asked John in a
troubled tone.
'I'm sure l don't know" replied
Hetty with a laugh. 1T wouldn't mat
ter so much to US. only I'm certain
father would never let me mix his
toddy again. It's once-perhaps. twice
Never! with him."
"And Kittie! oh, she'll never let