davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19
CHAPTER XVI.
Make Believe.


For upwards of three-quarters OF an
hour of that golden morning which fol
lowed the night of his return to New
York, Mr.. Law was permitted to es'
TEEN himself the happiest of mortals.
The beginning of the period was
synchronous with the slam OF taxi
cab door that shut away superfuous
world from the company of two who
loved.
The sound spelled safety as well as
success in Alan's understanding.
The car slipped smoothly away from
the curb, pursued only by little gust
OF semi-ironic cheers from the little
company of working men who had wit
messed as well as measurably partici-
pated in the putative elOpement from
the house of Urine
Vigilant for any indication that their
evasion had had a witness in that
strange home of deathless hatred.
Alan watched 1t through the little
window in the back of the cab until a
corner blotted out the vision of It;
then with a sigh of relief sank down
by the side of the woman to whom his
every thought, impulse and emotion
were dedicated.
"Rose!" he whispered, and tenta-
lively touched one of the hands that
lay clenched in her lap.
She responded with never a sign to
indicate consciousness either of his
touch or his whisper.
And reminding himself OF the strain
imposed upon her by the experience
through which they had just passed,
Alan excused her unresponsiveness on
grounds of reaction, and for the time
felt constrained to let his sweetheart
rest al / regain her normal poise:
there was bliss enough for him in the
consciousness that he had won her
safely away, that nothing now more
than a short hours drive across town
and by ferry across the Hudson stood
between them and the marriage that
should prove the consummation of all
their trials Barring accident!
Alan had too often suffered the pen
atty Of disappointment for over-indul-
gence in this failing of his for depreci-
ating the unforeseen, not to make the
mental reservation, Barring acct
dentist" with little SILVER of dread.
Had any Of Trine's household been
cognizant Of his daughters escape,
Alan argued. interference must have
been instant.
Despite the reassuring aspect, the
preoccupation Of his companion so
wore upon him that he was presently
no longer able to refrain from disturb
ing her.
"Rose!" he begged again. closing a
hand tenderly over hers. Dearest
girl, don't worry another instant! Do
calm yourself: remember we are safe
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

inclined to believe that NarrorH7t
hoped to stop tie taNicab by depriy-
ing it, in course Of time, Of its fuel.
And with this in mind he was present
ly surprised, as the cab took corner,
to see Marrophat's car stop at that
corner and Marrophat himself get
down. The brow OF a hill INTERVIEWED,
shutting off sight of the blackguard as
he knelt and lit a match. Ii was the
girl who gave the alarm, suddenly
Withdrawing her head from the win
dow to scream at Alan:
He's fired the gasoline, It's fam
ing along the street, following the line
Of the leak-and catching up with u.s."
Without pausing to put his hand to
the latch, Alan kicked the door open.
Jump" he cried. For your life
jump AS soon as that fame catches
up with the tank"
simultaneously the chauffeur, over
hearing. shut off the power.
The three gained the sidewalk bare
ly in time: the tiny trail Of flames, al
most imperceptible in the sunlight.
was not a yard from the jet that squirt
ed through the bullet hole in the tank.
In the flutter Of an eyelash the explo-
sion followed. Had the cab been load
ed with nitroglycerin its destruction
could have been no more absolute.
There was a roar and then
a heap Of smoking ruins.
Without waiting to admire the spec
tacle, Alan caught the arm of the girl
and hurried her up the street, at the
same time calling to the chauffeur to
follow. And chance brought them to
the next corner as another cab. fare
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

them was momentarily growing less
noticeable
AS Marrophats car drew abreast
Alan nodded and said quietly: Don't
be alarmed; l can attend TO this gen.
tleman single-handed.'
And this he proceeded to demon
strate with admirable ease, even
though called upon to do so far soon
er than he had thought to be-thanks
to Marrophat's hair-brained precipi
fancy. For, failing to influence the
taxi driver by shouted demands or
threats, or to gain the least attention
from Alan, Trine's first lieutenant alb
ruptly and surprisingly took his life
in his hands and in one wild bound
br1dged the distance between the two
flying cars and landed on the taxi's
running board.
Stop" he screamed madly. Stop,
| say! You don't know what you're
doing! Let me tell you"
He got that far but no farther. In
the same breath Alan had flung wide
the door and was at the fellows throat
There was a struggle of negligible
duration; Marrophat was in no way
his antagonists match; within three
seconds he threw out both hands,
clutched hOpelessly at the framework
of the cab, and fell heavily to the
street.
The taxi sped on without pause, its
driver deaf to the halls of innocent if
indignant bystanders. Alan pulled
himself together and looked back just
In time to catch a glimpse of a num-
Der of loafers lifting Marrophat to his
feet and helping him to the sidewalk
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

surprise had gained the closed door
before they recovered and sought to
stay him.
Indifferent to them all, he shook the
knob and shouted: Rose, Rose"
Her cry came back to him. a muf-
fed scream: Alan, Help! Help"
Backing away with a mad idea of
throwing himself bodily against the
door and breaking it down, he was sud
denly confronted by hideous mask Of
humanity-face Of man all misshapen,
bruised and swollen and disfgured
with smears Of dried blood and a dirty
bandage round his temples, but none
the less vaguely recognizable
The words that streamed from its
distorted lips drove recognition home.
Gee, fellers, look't who's here! II
it amt tn guy what threw me Off'n
that girder this mornin'. Stand back
and let me kill tn"
Without the hesitation OF a heart
beat Alan swung heavily for the thugs
jaw. The blow went solidly home.
The man fell like a poled OK
Pandemonium ensued Rallying to
their cOmrade. the ruffians attacked
Alan with one mind and one intent
Murder would have been done then
and there had it not been for a rotten
banister-rail, which gave way, precipi-
tating the lot to the ground floor Of
the hallway
Simultaneously the lamp on the wall
was struck from its bracket and
crashed to the floor, its glass we'll
breaking and loOsing a flood of kero-
sene to receive the burning wick The
explosion followed instantly. In a
trice the hallway was a lake of burn
ing oil, and hungry flames were lick
ing up the rotting wallpaper and eat
ing into decayed baseboards and stair
treads.
Still fighting like a mailman, con-
testing every foot OF the way, Alan
was borne down the hall and out of
the front door. A scream OF FIRE."
greeted him as he reeled out into the
open. 1t was echoed by a dozen
threats.
The doorway vomited men and
women of the tenement They choked
it for a time, blocking both egress and
ingress. BY the time they broke out
and left the way clear a solid wall Of
flame stood behind it,
Thrice Alan essayed to pass that
barrier of fire, and thrice it threw him
back. Then, struggling and kicking
to release himself and try again, he
was seized by brace of able-b bodied
policemen and rushed fifty feet from
the house before let go.
Lack Of breath checked him momen-
tarily.
He looked up, dashing from his
smarting eyes tears drawn by the
sitting clouds of smoke, and saw
vaguely at the second story window a
woman leaning out and shrieking for
help.
That 1t was hopeless to attempt the
staircase he we'll knew. Drawing
aside, he endeavored to come to his
sober senses, and cast about for some
more feasible way to effect the rescue
Of his Rose.
The tenement occupied one corner
Of a narrow street. Directly opposite,
storage warehouse stood upon the
other corner. Before this last was the
common landing stage for truck de-
liveries. protected by shed-roof.
And, suspended from a timber that
peered out over the caves, a hosting
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

now; We fooled them handily-thanks
to your faith and bravery. sweetheart!
and everything is going to be well
with us from now on. Over in Jersey
the minister is waiting now to marry
us; and down at the White Star dock
the boat is waiting that is to carry US
of to England the moment we're mar
ried. Think of that-and that | love
you. Nothing can possibly break the
strength of that combination!"
Alan" she breathed gently. TT
can't be true! I'm trying so hard to
believe-but all the while / know II
can't be true!"
He converted a skeptic with the
mute eloquence of his lips
Head upon his shoulder. the girl
chung passionately to him. Tell me
again that you love mel" she prayed.
Promise me you'll never let anything
come between US. Promise me, Alan
promise me you'll be kind to me al
Ways. dear!"
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

tackle dragged the ground with it's
ropes.
1t was the work of minute to con-
vince a thick-headed policeman that
the attempt was feasible and should
be permitted. 1t was the work of less
than another minute to rig a loop in
the line and fasten round his body
beneath the arms. Volunteers did not
lack; a couple of husky longshoremen
sprang to the ropes at his first call.
the ground, he scared, he caught the
caves of the shed-roof, and shouting to
cease hauling, drew himself up on this
last, backed little ways down 1t and
calculating his direction nicely, with
a running jump launched himself out
over the street.
The momentum Of his leap carried
him we'll out over the heads OF the
throng assembled in the street and
truly toward that window where Rose
was waiting. Then its force slack
ened. For an awful instant he be-
lieved that he had failed But with the
last expiring ounce Of impetus, he was
brought within grasping distance of
the window sill.
Hauling himself up, he gathered her
into his arms
A great tongue Of tawny fame licked
angrily out Of the windows as he
swung her back to safety.
TO BE CONTINUED
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

less, hove into view. Promising its
driver anything he might ask, in or
out OF reason. Alan gave him the ad-
dress, and helped the girl in.
II Marrophat pursued Alan could see
no sign Of him. The second car made
better time than the first. Unhindered,
and as far as could be determined,
without being followed, it covered the
brief remaining distance In a CRATE
| fully short lapse of time.
The suburb dropped behind a maze
Of streets where dwellings stood Shout
der to shoulder and dooryards were
scant. The car swept up to a corner
house Of modest and homely aspect.
Two minutes more, and Alan was ex-
changing salutations with and making
his bride-to-be known to Digbys good
friend. the Reverend Mr.. Wright.
Embarrassment worked confusion
with the young mans perceptive facul-
ties. AS this moment approached
when two should be made one who had
gone through fire and food, literally
as well as figuratively, for each 9TH
ers sake. incredulty drew a veil be-
fore his vision. He viewed the world
as in a glass, darkly.
He was aware or a decently fur
nished minister's study; of two wit
nesses in the guise of unassuming
womenfolk of the minister's house
hold; of the Rev. Mr.. Wright himself
as a benevolent voice rolling some
rously forth from a black-clad pres
ence; of the woman of his heart stand
ing opposite him; of questions asked
and responses made; of ring that
was magically conjured from some
store apparently maintained against
precisely similar emergencies: of a
hand that took the hand that was to be
his wifes and placed it in his; of his
clumsy and witless bungling with the
task of fitting that ring to the finger
of his sweetheart's hand
And then he was aware of a door
that banged violently in the hallway:
of the sound of a mans voice making
some indistinguishable demand; that
Roses hand was suddenly whipped
away, before he could fit on the ring:
that the study door was flung open and
that this animal of a Marrophat had
precipitated himself into the room.
He opened his mouth to protest
and Marrophat silenced him with a
cry.
You fool! Drop that ring! Stop
this farce! Don't you know whom
you're marrying? That woman is Ju-
dith Urine, you idiot-not Rose!"
Blankly Alan turned to the girl.
Her flaming face, her sullen ewes
her very pose, from which the man.
ner Of Rose had dropped like a cast
garment, confessed the truth of Mar
rophat's assertion. And as il this were
not enough, Judith confessed it doubly
with a sudden outbreak of such rage
as never could have been brewed in
Roses gentle nature.
You devil!" she cried-and threw
herself in front of Marrophat with a
spring as 1.-the as that Of a leopardess
Take warning now from me: keen
out Of my way forever after this-or
take the consequences! God knows"
she painted, why don't kill you as
you stand"
He was in her way. between her and
the open door. She gave him no
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19
CHAPTER XVII.
The Ring.

The Ring.
Theirs was the last vehicle to swing
between the gates before these last
were closed.
And this was quite as we'll; for Alan,
rising for one last backward glance
through the rear window, started in
voluntarily and choked upon an ex.
clamation when he deserted a power.
full touring car tearing madly toward
the ferry-house, it's one passenger half
rising from the front seat, beside the
driver. and exhibiting a countenance
purple with congested chagrin as he
saw his car barred out Of the carriage
entrance.
Quickly sensitive to his emotion, the
girl caught nervously at Alan's hand.
What is 1t, DEAR"
Marrophat," he snapped.
She uttered hushed cry Of dismay
Don't be alarmed, however" he
fastened to comfort her. Hes lost
the race: the gates are shut-even the
passenger gates-and there must be
company spotter somewhere near by,
for the gateman is virtuously refusing
to be bribed by roll of money as
thick as my wrist"
At that instant the taxicab rolled
aboard the ferry-boat; the deck gates
were closed; hoarse whistle rent the
roaring silence of the city; winches
ratified and chains clanked; and the
boat wore ponderously out of its slip.
so much for Mr.. Marrophat," Alan
crowed, sitting down. Fooled again /!
He can't stop US now!"
Perhaps :"
why that perhaps? Why that
toner" he demanded sharply, struck
by the foreboding her accents con-
fessed.
This isn't the only ferry. There's
the Pennsylvania and the Lackawanna
and by hard driving he might even
manage to catch the boat that con-
meets with this from the Christopher
street ferry Of the Eriei"
Impossible! l don't believe it! /
WON'T"
Let's not" she agreed. But, Alan
"Yes?"
Promise me-if he should manage
to catch up with us-you won't let him
talk to you. mean, don't let him"
mo fear of that" he asservated
holly. IF he tries to exchange one
word with mel only wish he would"
She seemed satisfied with that: but
the incident had served appreciably to
chill their spirits. They accomplished
the remainder Of that voyage in a
silence that was no less depressed be-
cause they sat hand in hand through
out.
Nor was their taxicab three minutes
out of the ferry house on the Jersey
the chauffeur, stimu-
later by Alan's extravagant promises.
was doing his best to fracture the
speed laws and escape arrest-when
the girls fears were amply justified:
a shout from behind drew Alan's head
out of the window on one side and the
girls on the other and proved to both
that Marrophat had indeed found some
way to make the crossing without
great delay.
His touring car was within fifty
yards when they first were aware OF
1t; and Marrophat, standing on the
running board, was shouting inarticu-
lately and fourishing an imperative
hand; while the distance between
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-19

Of an unsavory-looking tenement, be
fore the cab took a corner on two
wheels
Not seriously injured, fancy" he
told the girl in response to her eager
look. Worse luck!" he added
gloomily.
But it seemed that he was to have
greater cause than this to complain of
his luck, before that ride was ended
Three blocks further on a tire blew
out with a report like a cannon-crack
er, and the taxi lurched perilously
hesitated, slowed down, and limped
dejectedly to the curb.
Alan and the chauffeur piled out in
the same instant, the one standing
guard-with an eye out as we'll for
another cab-while the other assessed
| damages.
Nothing for it but a new tire, sir"
this last reported alphabetically. 1T
must have been a broken bottle or
something like that-it sure did rip
the usefulness clean out of that shoe"
GO to it," Alan advised him terse-
ly; land if you make a quick job of it,
I'll stand the cost of the new tire"
But if another cab comes along
while you're at it you'll lose US as
quick as a wink Here's my card, in
case we have to desert you in a hurry
you understand this is a matter of life
and death, and III have no time to
settle up with you. But you can call
at Mr.. Digby's Office and he'll fix
things up to your satisfaction"
The man took the card and after a
glance at the name touched his hat
with more noticeable respect.
"All right, Mr.. Law" he agreed:
anything you say" And forthwith
got to work.
The rapidity with which he COM
pleted the change of tires proved him
an excellent chauffeur, an adept at his
craft: but the delay was one disas-
trous for all that. 1t worked together
with what Alan pardonably described
as the DEVILS own luck to bring the
touring car in sight at the precise mo-
ment when the chauffeur was cranking
up and Alan on the point of re-enter-
ing the cab. And though they were
off again before Alan could close the
door, the attempt was hopeless from
the start.
And yet-whether or not because
Alan's distaste for interference had
been too convincingly demonstrated
the touring car for the time being
contented itself with trailing about
fifty feet in the rear, while the taxi
fled the tenement purlieus) of the Ho-
boken waterfront and found its way
into the broader streets of an unpre-
tentious suburban quarter.
Not until they were we'll into the
suburbs, with few dwellings near and
no pedestrians to interfere. did Mario
phat's purpose become apparent. Then,
however-and 1t happened while Alan
was looking back-the touring car
drew in swiftly and easily and Mario
phat, rising in his seat, leveled a re-
volver over the windshield and fired.
The crack of his weapon was prac.
tically coincident with a metallic thud
beneath the rear seat of the taxicab.
Not for some moments did Alan ap-
preciate the viciousness OF the scheme.
Surmising that the gasoline tank had
been punctured by the bullet, he was
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05

SERVICE
To Be Held Here over Body Of
Miss Marian Reep and Bur-
ial in Pennsylvania.

A short prayer service over the
body of Miriam Reep, aged IA years,
daughter of f. C. Reep, a we'll known
employe of the Hope Gas Company
will be held at o'clock this evening
at the home 466 Lee street. The
Rev. William l.. Heuser, of st. Marks
Lutheran church will conduct the SER
vices.
The deceased girl is survived by
her parents Mr.. and Mrs. E. c. Reep
and one brother William Reep. Miss
Reep died at O'Clock Tuesday after
noon after a ten days illness of ty-
phoid fever.
The body will be taken to Ship
penville, Pa, by the way of Pittsburg
tonight, the funeral party leaving the
local station at 10 o'clock. The fun
eral services will be held Thursday
afternoon at the home of her grand.
mother at Shippenyille.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05

from Shinnston.
Omar w. Swiger of Wallace, is a
guest at the Gore hotel.
c. A. Rhodes, of Weston, is here at
tending to business matters.
F. o. MARBLE. OF Rowlesburg, is
here on business mission
Miss Emma Maxwell returned
home Wednesday morning after
spending week visiting Judge AMI
Mrs. Raymond Maxwell at their cot
tsge at Mt. Lake Park, Md.
Ernest Randolph arrived home
Wednesday morning from Baltimore
where he spent several days attending
to business matters
Miss Ruth Maxwell returned Wed.
nesday from Mt. Lake Park, Nd.
where she had been for several
weeks.
E. D. LEWIS returned from Mt
Lake Park, Md, Wednesday where he
spent several days visiting friends.
Frank Feinberg will leave this
evening for two weeks vacation trip
He will visit New York, Philadelphia
and Atlantic City while gone.
Mrs. j. L. McKelvey is enjoying an
extended trip in the East including
Philadelphia, Ocean Grove and AT,
lantic City.
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05

VOTING
CONTINUED from page one,


me will not tell single person. y
for that is secret, and If it is told
one person 1t will cease to be secret,
and 1t will remain secret until the
judges count the votes and award the
other prizes at the close of the cam
paign. A good thing for the hustling
competitor to assume is that it was
won by another and pitch in and win
the second ring which is offered for
this period. 1t is valued the same as
the first ring and will be given to
the competitor turning In the most
money on new. subscriptions. This
magnificent prize can be won in ad-
dition to any of the other prizes, the
votes issued on the new subscriptions
that will win the ring will also count
toward winning the Studebaker
$1,000 automobile or any of the other
prizes.
Now that 10000 bonus votes will
be issued for every club of $50 in
new subscriptions it is worth the
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05
PERSONALS

Mrs. H. NJ. Whitman has returned
to Wheeling after a visit of two weeks
with her daughter, Mrs. E. Otis Tay-
lor.
Lloyd Rinehart, of Weston, is here
on business mission.
A. H. Phillips, Of Wheeling. is a
city business visitor.
George W. Johnson, of Parkersburg,
is guest at the Waldo.
G. W. Stephens, of Wheeling, is
here looking after business matters.
Robert J. Ray. of Weston, is a
business visitar in the city.
John n. Tregellas is here from Graf
ton.
W. !. Booth is city business visitor
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05
NOTICE A OF TRUSTEES SALE
PERSONAL PROPERTY.

BY virtue of the authority vested in
me by Deed Of Trust, bearing date
August 5th. 1918, executed by NJ. a.
Samples to the undersigned W. l..
Strother as Trustee. TO secure to Writ
Hickman and S. T.. Strother the payment
OF certain promissory note therein
described. and recorded in the office of
the Clerk of the County Court OF Harrl-
son County. West Virginia. in Trust
Deed Book No. 40, at page 1853: the un.
dersigned Trustee will OFFER for sale and
Will sell at public auction to the highest
bidder, at the front door of the First
National Bank Building in Salem. Harri-
day of August, 1917. at 100 o'clock p
NJ. the following described personal prop
erty, to-wit: Two bay mares of the ages
OF ten and eleven years, respectively.
weight about 1850 lbs. each; one sorrel
horse lstallion). weight about 1000 lbs:
one sorrel mare four years old with colt,
one six years old. one seven years old
and one nine years old, weight about
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-05
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
Dance in Holman Ham

Owing to the fact that Elk Park has
been leased for Thursday and will not
be open to the public the Cadenza or
chestra dance scheduled for that night
has been transferred to Hoffman Hall.
The regular dance will continue at the
park again commencing Saturday.
The music at the Thursday night
dance will be in charge OF the famous
pianist, James Jelly, and a large
crowd is assured.