The Colorado statesman., 1911-06-10

Jimmie Bennett knew something
would happen II he took out the
limousine on so beautiful an early
summer day. But there was nothing
else fer IT, James Bennett, Sr., had
the touring car and the chauffeur;
the runabout was out of the question;
and the electric had broken spring
There was shopping to do-his
mother and sister both said so. trag
ically. Out came the limousine and
with Jimmie. feeling like a taxicab
driver. at the wheel. they sped on
downtown bright and early In the
morning.
Jimmie was lolling on the cushions
opposite a famous hat shop which is
near the Union station. He amused
himself by watching the route of mo-
tors and people up and down the busy
street
He also kept a patronizing eye on
the suburban trains that shuttled back
and forth behind the iron fence. And
he nodded commendatien when the
Cosmopolitan limited breezed ma
jestically into the great station.
The Cosmopolitan. with ponderous
exhausts, was on It's way again when
a whirlwind of dainty skirts projected
itself across the stone threshold OF
the station and headed for Jimmie.
He Strengthened to attention. when
pretty, pleading face was upturned to
him.
"I must catch that train" said the
girl, hurrledly. my aunt's on 1t, with
my ticket. l stepped of to get a
book at the station. Doesn't 1t stop
again? I'll pay you double"
Jump in here. beside me-" COM
manded Jimmie.
His mother and sister were forgot
ten as the car hitched around In the
crowded thoroughfare and began to
hum up Division street. Jimmie re-
membered that the big train always
stopped at junction quite across the
city. There was no time to explain
to his passenger that he was not run
ming a taxi, even II he wanted to do
so. Such an explanation was far from
his desires. For the passenger was
the most charming girl he had seen
In many day.
She was bareheaded and the air ruff
fed her bright, crinky hair as 1t
streamed past. The book she had left
the train to buy was clasped In both
hands Excitement and rapid motion
had whipped a wildrose tint into her
cheeks. Jimmie could not decide from
his hurried glances whether her eyes
were blue or gray; but he knew they
were large and eloquently expressive.
She leaned towards him. There's
another station. isn't there? Will we
reach it in time?"
81 don't know" returned Jimmie,
whether we can make it or not"
He pressed down his foot hard. for
there was an open space In the street
there. A motorcycle policeman, chug-
ging toward them slowly, raised a
warning hand. Jimmie smiled. and
pressed down again. The officer cir
ced smartly and started In pursuit.
The limousine did nobly. 1t at
tanned a speed of which Jimmie did
not believe it capable. He kept the
horn going constantly.
Horse-drawn vehicles turned into
side streets, while other motors made
way, hastily. Pedestrians crossing the
street sought the walk with surpris-
ing agility.
1t was the horn which nearly caused
Jimmies undoing. Another motorcycle
officer looked back over his shoulder
when he heard it. He saw the lung
ing car, and behind it the wildly-wav-
ing white-gloved hand of his pursuing
colleague. He stopped, dismounted,
and threw his machine across the
pavement.
He bad chosen his stand well. To
the left were the car tracks. and
line of approaching cars. To the right
was the curb. The motorcycle. broad
side on, seemed to block the path eff
fectually.
Jimmies foot almost gave over its
pressure. Then his eyes cleaned and
his jaws snapped.
Hang ont" he commanded tersely.
The girl dropped the book in her
lap without question and gripped con-
venient projections. Jimmie sounded
the horn insistently. The policeman
refused to bulge. He still kept the
commanding arm rigidly in the air
Ten yards from the officer Jimmie
swerved to the right. The big car
rose for a moment on two wheels.
Then it hit the curb drunkenly.
spurned the walk for a few feet and
dropped back into the roadway with
a crashing of glass.
The rear hub brushed the motor
cycle tire as the car shot past The
second outraged motorcyclist Joined
the first in pursuit.
There were other incidents. more
or less exciting, of that mad dash.
Jimmie never slackened speed, for the
stopping motorcycle policemen were
skimming doggedly along behind.
But the limited, with no obstruc-
tions in the way. had gone even fast