The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-03
THE EVENING STORY
An Amateur kidnapping.
By Jane OSBORNE

|
| By Jane OSBORNE
1t was a glorious day in May and
there was a half holiday not listed on
the curriculum of Wilton College 1t
took the form of a wholesale desertion
from the classroom on the part of the
students, and the instructors gladly ac-
cepted the situation. The fact was there
was a counter-attraction in the town
against which the most brilliant lee
turer could not hope to exert drawing
power.
The mixers We're coming-they were
due in the college inn for luncheon and
were booked to speak on the campus
at 2. Every one was interested, and
the students displayed unabashed and
lopen-minded interest in what they re-
garded as the latest brand of freak.
| They had gathered around the steps
of the college hall, where the much
iheralded Gen. Lollabelle Proctor was to
deliver her harrangue. They were
ready with all their old cheers and 1.
few new ones, invented especially for
| the occasion If Gen. 'Lollabelle had
| been less heated and a little bit more
familiar with the psychology of college
| men the trouble would never have be-
gun. In the first place, she mistook
| the well-meaning cheers for a new va
riety of taunt, and Herewith began to
| berate men in general and college men
in particular in a way that no loyal son
of Wilton college could endure.
| Besides this. the day was one of
! those first warm days that sets the
blood keen to do things out of the ordi-
nary. Gen. Lola belle was allowed to
| finish her speech, and then a low
rumble went through the ranks of
students.
Lets kidnap her." some one said,
and few enthusiasts gathered to-
gether to lay plans. 1t was soon de-
cided that the general herself was not
\ worth kidnapping, and when some one
said something about kidnapping the
\ ents recalled the figure of a really
pretty young member of the party who,
| in spite of her travel-stained short
skirt, SLOUGH hat, stout shoes, alpine
| stick and knapsack, had struck a thrill
! of admiration into the breasts of more
than one of the unlocking students.
What shall We carry her off in %
ased the ringleader.
1t was decided to use an automobile.
Luckily enough Sandy Brannon,
senior happened to be rounding a cor
ner of the campus road. He had ap-
parently not been present for the great
event, and seemed rather Indifferent to
the whole plan when he was hailed and
told what he was expected to do. The
fact was Saundy Brannon had been
"out of sorts for several months.
though no one volunteered an explana-
ton.
He was not enthusiastic about the
scheme but he offered no objections to
letting his car be used for the kid
naping. and also agreed to run it, if
he didn't have to help in handling the
victim The mixers were to return
to the inn for an early supper and were
to resume their march afterward,
reaching the next town before time for
retiring.
Fortunately for the plans of the
/ -h< bid 10 oil
namely, Miss Flora Maynard, was
walking at the rear of the line, several
feet from any of her companions This
was because, in spite of her stout boots
and Alpine stick and the rest she had
had on the campus, Miss Flora May
nard was weary and longed to end her
journey
The shadows were settling along the
narrow hedge-lined road through which
the girls were passing. Gen. Lollabelle
was carrying a lantern, but it's rays
failed to throw it's light on the path of
Miss Flora. She was naturally little
afraid of the dark and she was wish
ing that she had lantern of her own,
when she heard a rustic in the hedge.
She SHE'D to the other side only to feel
a strong hand resting on her shoulder,
and, looking around. fairly fell into the
arms of a tall young man, who deftly
but rather gently proceeded to stifle
her attempted shrek with large out
spread hand.
Make no sound and we will spare
you,' she heard one of the men say, |
as they proceeded to carry her through
the hedge. You have been chosen our
victim for reasons which we cannot !
reveal to you. We are the agents of
the 'Amalgamated Organization of
Gentlemen Anti-Suffragettes.' They |
carried her weary body through the |
hedge over a newly-planted cornfield to |
the next lane where an automobile was |
in readiness. surrounded by a group of i
rather agreeable looking ruffians. She
was gently tucked into the back seat.
Saundy did not look at the girl, but |
he heard his associates talking to her. |
Twill YOU renounce suffrage and all of |
its wicked ways?" he heard the spokes-
man asking her in mock solemnity.
The plan was rather petering out
No one knew exactly what to do with |
the Young lady. One of the college |
bows came running up the road with |
news that the dean of the college was /
getting into his automobile to come |
to the scene of the kidnapping. In a
flash the dozen or so students fled. |
leaving the girl in the tonneau and
Saundy at the wheel. His first in |
stinct was to escape, too, but then the |
thought that he would have to claim |
the car eventually and something in |
the girls voice made him stay He |
got out and cranked the car-reflect- /
ing that he couldn't drive across lots
to take the victim back to her party. |
so he would have to drive with all /
speed three miles further to a cross