The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-13

AHSis anu III diOls raging, DuI Qe-
termined to hide her vexation. Dixie
gathered up the roses.
That's sensible" Hastings declar-
ed, as he reached her side Let me
help you put them in the car" But
Dixie, though Inundated, had no in
tention of surrendering
Oh. | can carry them, Mr. Hastings,
and please don't trouble to follow me,
I'm used to the hills. and love to wan
der alone. In fact, much prefer GO
ing alone"
You don't intend to walk to the
ment.
"Certainly.'
Hastings stepped in front of her.
and six foot of humanity barred the
way.
Sorry, Miss Taylor, but | cant per-
nit it; you lost your way once this
evening, I'm afraid to risk you sec
ond time, | feel responsible for you"
With defiant toss of the head,
Dixie tried TO pass, but Hastings was
too quick for her Without a mo-
ments hesitation, he lifted her from
the ground and placed her gently in
the car.
Don't attempt TO get out" he said.
IF you do, you will compel me to
repeat the offence. If you call for
aid there is no one near enough to
hear
He gathered the scattered rose
blooms and placed them at her feet,
then sprang TO the seat at her side
and put his hand to the wheel. Back
over the foot-hill drive they went.
For long time they rode in silence.
Dixie, angry and insulted, drew as far
from him as possible, and repealed all
advances.
" l received your note this after
noon,' he ventured.
No reply.
You didn't mean what that note
implied, did you, Dixie? | can't be-
lieve you were serious when you
wrote it
Nothing but silence-silence and
gloom.
Cant I persuade you to change
your plans, Dixie, dear?" He drew the
| dear out soft and low.
Indeed, why should I change
them?" she snapped.
Because they interfere with a lit
tie scheme of my own. | had planned
a wedding for YOU he dared and
that will be out of the question under
those circumstances"
Am | to consider this as a third
proposal Mr.. Hastings?" There was
a trace of ridicule in the tone.
Il intended it as an assertion of
facts he replied.
Dixie was furious.
They We're nearing a point where
the road divided. If they kept to the
right, they followed the foothills and
wound back through the rose gar
dens; if they turned to the left, the
road to the beach stretched out be-
fore them, broad and level as a floor.
Hastings took the beach road.
Mr. Hastings, it is getting quite
Dixie announced.
I'VE are not going home" Hastings
announced.
Il know it, but | want you to turn
this car and start there Immediately.
Do you hear?"
Her request fell on deaf ears. Hast
ings pushed the lever up a notch, and
the car bounded forward with a terrif-
ic roar.
h. ! H. %.1,
mendous pace. 1t bounded and trem-
bled like Frightened steed. Suppose
it should turn turtle. She had heard
of cars doing that. She drew little
nearer to Hastings in her growing an
Xiety.
Jack, tell me where you are going
Please, Jack
over the cliffs" was the reply
Mr.. Hastings, L. Dixie never
finished the sentence. The lever
reached the top notch, and the pace
the flying car attained took her breath
away.
After what seemed to Dixie an eter-
nifty they left the downs highway and
glided over a stretch of sandy beach.
She gazed at Hastings. The stern.
determined face displayed no sign Of
relenting. He pressed on until he
reached a rocky part of the coast.
In another moment they might dash
over the cliffs. Would he dare? Yes
he was actually turning the car to-
wards the sea
In an instant she had pulled herself
close to his side. one arm went around
his neck. the other chung to his sleeve,
and with face pressed as close as pos
sible to Hastings ear she screamed.
Jack, dear, I-love-you. Do you
hear?"
The car came to sudden halt, and
before she realized what had hap
pened two strong arms encircled her,
and she was pressed close to a rapid
ly beating heart.
why didn't you tell me that long
ago." he asked
Il just wanted to know how much
you really did care for me-
There was a long silence before
either of them spoke a word, then:
Jack, dear" and the girls voice
was very low and tender.
"Yes?'
Tell me truly: would Won have let