The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-10

lew perfunctory inquiries. A search
was started for the supposedly sub
merged automobile, but no traces were
round either of the motor or of the
man.
HE has just disappeared like a
bird on the wing" said Miss Agatha
to the interested Mrs. Greer, land
don't believe he will ever come back
But even as she spoke there
Whizzed past the window a wonderful
motor car. 1t was dark blue and shin
ing, with padded cushions and bril-
llantly polished brass.
"Andthat's William Clark in it"
snrleked Agatha, with her head out
of the window. Mrs. Greer, come
here and look
By that time William was far up the
road, was stopping, in fact, at the Bar
ker place.
Mile came flying from the porch
TO meet him. "Oh. William. Will
liam, she gasped, and tainted.
Poor little girl he crooned and
carried her to the house and helped
seriousness.
rs it really your" Mile asked, as
she opened her eyes.
Really me, sweetheart" said the
adoring William. 81 oughtn't to have
come on you suddenly like that, but
l was so crazy to get here
From the doorway came a stern
'OASO. anu now lndL you are neres
what have you to say for yourself? %
William turned and faced the irate
father. Where's my automobile ?"
was the fierce demand.
I'm the middle of the deep blue
sea- said William. I'm awfulIy
sorry, sir
''How much good will that do me %
asked the farmer. YOU'D better get
out. You have. nearly killed my
daughter and have destroyed my
he
sooner you go the better
William squared his shoulders.
perhaps you'd better hear my story"
he said.
reluctantly the farmer sat down.
When Mile saw me floating off
into the deeper water" said william,
things looked pretty dangerous.
didn't want to leave the car, but I
knew 1 must 1 made up my mind to
swim back to her and get her off the
Neck as soon as the tide went out.
So L jumped free from the car and be-
gan to swim. I don't know how it
happened, but as the car went down
1 was caught in the suction. Then
was struck on the head, and lost con-
seriousness. When walked 1 was on
the deck of sailing vessel. They
had seen the lights of the automobile
Their lanterns had flashed on my
face, and they saved me. They were
bound for the Cape, and they
wouldn't stop to let me off. The next
day sighted a yacht sailing. back
to Boston. So I asked to be taken on
board. When I reached Boston 1
called up my father; we had a five
minutes talk, and here I am"
t'In another borrowed machine, 1
suppose" said the farmer. You
can't deny that have reason to dis
trust you, when you carried off my
daughter and my machine?"
''But we just went for a picnic said
the amazed William. 81 don't see the
harm
"The town has it that you eloped,"
said the farmer bluntly.
Williams face was radiant.
'I wish we had" he cried. I'm
dead in love with Mile, sir, but
didn't dare suggest that we get mar
ried before / had won your confidence
and given you reason to believe that
1 was worthy of her.
THAT sounds WE'LL said Barker,
''but we don't know who you are or
"oh," Williams eyes twinkied.
Dads coming up by the next train,
and he'll tell you It's his car I'm
using. He and 1 had a bet that 1
couldn't earn my living if I tried.
SO 1 came up here to show him that
[ could farm as well as he did be-
fore he made his money And he's
tickled to death that want to marry
4 farmers daughter. And now If
you'll say yes"
The farmer got on his feet. Twill
lam" he said, impressively, you're
a good boy. Here's my blessing, and
now-I'm going to the train to meet
your father"
seven weeks later Agatha Meeks
made Miles wedding outfit. "And 1
wish you could see old man Barker's
1ew car she said to Mrs. Greer, as
she stopped in for her Gust omary ev-
,ning gossip. "Clark, senior, insisted
IN replacing the one which went down,
md they say he's a millionaire. and
hat William will get all of his money"
-(Copyrighted 1912 by McClures
Syndicate.)