The Holly chieftain., 1911-09-01

reverence.
Il don't want to marry this man. I
don't even know him. and-and-
he's q maniac" she cried hysterically.
John turned to look at her. We'll,
/ would be crazy to marry you. Thrn-
der. they'd have me up for baby steal
ing. Who are you. anyway?"
I'm Kittie Sm.tt." sobbingiy. Tut
don't know who you are."
"Well. I'm John Smith. My tribe
is numerous. but 1t doesn't include
grown-up babies" sarcas. ideally.
The parson stood rubbing his hands
together helplessly. well. 1 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 fdgeted restlessly. Miss
Smith. can't you shut down the flood
gate long enough for explanations!
As understand 1t. you planned to
elope with John Colscl And I. John
Smith. had si..lilar arrangement
with Hetty Olsen. Now. where 5a-ers
you 10 meet IOhn Coison?
He left call for me IT the pub
lie telephone ONCE. and when I talk.
ed with him"
But you didn't talk to him. That
bungling operator gave you to me.
and must have given him my party.
Hetty Olson Fine mix-up! thought
that fellow following us was Het's
wrathful sire, but 1t must have been
your John. Now. we'll find them in
one of three places, at the police sta
tion. for speeding: at the hospital. be-
cause he got in the way of the police
mans bullet: or back at the telephone
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 few lessons. You
wouldn't catch her doing the weeping
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 ,tter 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.
rs 1t broken?' she asked sympa.
thetically,
Il don't know, but that doesn't mat.
ter, what does really matter is they
have got away from u.s." ruefully.
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. "rll tell
you. l was trying to catch a Il #.
That fellow ahead was running OF
with my best girl Wouldn't you chase
him?"
Faith. think I would. then!
Well?" beginnin5 to smile.
ITS this way. The old folks OBJ
ject. and-you know how It's. Through
mistake he got my girl and have
his" The laugh. ,s tone. aided BY a
little persuader slipped into he
brawny hand resting on the car, prov
ed potent.
We'll, g'wan wild ye. but do1t 70
dare let me catch ye racin' again"
TIL not let you catch me II / can
help it." answered John facetiousiy.
Il think we better return to the
telephone ofice." said Hetty. turning
the car. but as they approached the
building, the. saw that the Office was
closed for the night
What now7" asked John in a trou.
bled tone.
I'm sure don't know" replied
Hetty with laugh ut 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! c, she'll never let
me mention elope ags,a." said John.
Hello. what's this?" as car came
rushing toward them.
THAT you. John Colson?" came the
greeting.
ut certainly is, replied he.
There ensued rapid fire OF ques
tions and answers. an equally rapid |
exchange Of partners. a little weeping
on Kittie's part over Johns arm.
speedy ride to the waiting clergyman.
and in a yery abort time two hannv |
couples came out tgain into the night,