The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-11
THE EVENING STORY
Limousine and Limited.
(By NJ. ]. Phillips.)

Limousine on so beautiful an early
summer day. But there was nothing
else for it. James Bennett senior,
had the touring car and the chauffeur;
the runabout was out of the question;
and the electric had a broken spring.
There was shopping to do-his
mother and sister both said so, trag-
, ically. Out came the limousines and
with Jimmie. feeling like a taxicab
driver, at the wheel, they sped Off
downtown bright and early in the
morning
| Jimmie was lolling on the cushions
opposite the famous hat shop which is
near the union station He amused
tors and people up and down the busy
street
He also kept patronizing eye on
the suburban trains that shuttleo
back and forth behind tine iron fence.
And he nodded comm endation when
the Cosmopolitan limited breezed ma
Jestica1ly into the great station.
The Cosmopolitan, with ponderous
exhaustS, was on its way again when
whirlwind of dainty skirts projected
the station and headed for Jimmie.
He Strengthened to attention when
pretty, pleading face was upturned to
him.
81 must catch that train" said the
girl, hurriedly My aurt's on it,
book at, the station. Doesn't it 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-
m rendered that the big train always
stopped at a junction quite across the
city. There was no time TO explain to
11i- f1144 h0 mr. n
ming taxi, even if 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 it
streamed past. The book she had
left the train to buy was clasped in
both hands. Excitement and rapid
motion had whipped wild rose tint
into her cheeks. Jimmie could not
decide from his hurried chances
whether her eyes were blue or gray;
but he knew they were large and elo-
quently expressive.
She turned towards him: There's
another station, isn't there? Will we
reach it in timer"
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
warning hand Jimmie smiled, and
pressed down again. The officer cir
cled smartly and started in pursuit.
The limousine did nobly. 1t attained
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 surprising
agility.
It was the horn which nearly caused
Jimniie's undoing. Another motorcycle
officer looked back over his shoulder
when he heard it. He saw the lunging |
car. and behind it the wildly-waving |
white gloved hand of his pursuing COL |
league. He stopped, dismounted, and |
threw his machine across the pave !
ment.
He had chosen his stand WELL To the |
left were the car tracks, and a line of |
approaching cars To the right was the |
curb. The motorcycle, broadside on, |
seemed to block the path effectually.
Jin1mie's foot almost gave over its |
pressure. Then his eyes cleaned and |
his jaws snapped.
Hang on!' 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 COM
handing arm rigidly in the air.
Ten yards from the officer Jimmie |
swerved to the right. The big car rose
for moment on two wheels. Then it |
hit the curb drunkenly, spurned the |
walk for few feet and dropped back |
into the roadway with a crashing of
glass.
The rear hub brushed the motorcycle
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 Swimming
doggedly along behind.
But the limited, with no obstruc-
tons in the way, had gore even fast
er. AS they swooped down toward
away.
The girl gave a despairing little
moan. ooh, we've missed it," she
cried.
Not. yet" encouraged Jimmy.
For in flash of inspiration he
felt that there was one more chance
Ahead a few blocks the railroad
tracks encroached on the street oc-
cupying the left side of it for some
distance There was no fence or 9TH
er obstruction between the pavement
and the rails. They ran along paral-
lei. And the rear vestibule of the
train was open.
Jimmie's foot went dowE. urgently.
The limousine drew ahead of the
train and gained the point where the I
railroad and street Joined. With a
thankful heart he noticed that the ;
limited had not yet attained more
han fair momentum. Carefully he
sased off.
AS the pilot of the engine crept up
beside him ne shouted to the girl:
Ia a ct 81 |
you step from the car to the train ?
I'll keep close
"Yesi' she answered in his ear.
Car after car of the limited slid |
past. At last came the observation
EAR, the rear vestibule still open He /
edged over until the running board
and the car step were a scant two feet =,
mart The Sneed nf train motor