The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-25

then he understood OF course, the
old mans mind had been slowly fail
/ ing. He must be crazy. 1t would do
no good to start habeas corpus pro-
ceedings. He must rescue the girl
and take her away.
A accommodating visit that after
noon disclosed, first, an eager face and
a tuttering handkerchief at top
window next, old Bannister himself,
armed with a gun, and pacing up and
down the lawn.
Roger waited till dark before put
ting his plans into effect His obser-
vations had disclosed to him a garden
er's ladder, left by chance in such a
way that it reached up toward the
maiden in the tower" Ascending
that uncbserved, he believed that he
could stretch up his arms and pull
Amy down to safety.
At dark he started out in his auto.
The house was little way outside
the town limits. 1t was lonely neigh
borhood, and this left him more free
dom to deal tactfully with the situa-
tion. He left the auto at the back of
old Bannister's little garage, and made
his way toward the back of the house.
The ladder was still there. Unob-
served, as he believed, Roger set foot
upon the lowest rung, and soon he
was tapping at the window pane
above
Amy opened the window with lit
tie cry of joy. She was fully dressed,
and carried a bag in fer hand.
Il knew you would come. dearest"
his neck. Very carefully he lifted her
down to the top rung of the creaking,
swaying ladder, and thence, rung by
rung. down to the ground.
A moment later they were creeping
through the darkness toward the hid
den auto.
Now the girl was inside, and Roger
was desperately cranking when a sud
den shout rang out behind him 1t
was old Rannister, and he was rushing
toward them. In his hand was the
CLINT of revolver.
Roger leaped into the auto and
started away as the frenzied old man
drew near He sped down the road
toward the boundary of the state, ten
miles away, where a marriage could
a license.
But he had hardly left the house
behind him when old Bannister's auto
was heard chugging along behind him.
Now ensued a weird race through
the shadows. Roger let her out to the
limit. AS he ran his mind revolved
about friend of his, young minis
ter who would certainly perform the
ceremony, even in his pajamas. But
1t was hard to throw the old man Off
the scent. The rattletrap behind new
err failed to indicate it's presence in
their neighborhood. Family the old
mans cries came to their ears. But
now the state line was crossed, and
at length Roger. with Amy clinging to
him in terror and joy. had thrown the
pursuers off the track among the
houses and winding streets of the SUI
burban town.
Roger dashed toward his friends
house. He pulled up, left the auto at
the doorstep, and hammered vigor-
ously upon the door. 1t opened, and
the Rev. Hugh Hughes-in his pa
jamas-stood confronting them, while
In the distance a rattle. rattle ind1.
Gated the approach of the enemy.
How soon can you marry us?" de.
manded Roger.
Instantly" said the Rev. Hugh
Hughes. Come in"
And as the blows Of Mr. Bannis-
ter's fists upon the door reverberated
through the house, Amy was saying II
will"
The Rev. Hugh Hughes opened the
door. You're too late" he said to
Mr. Banister.
The old man strobe forward and
surveyed the couple with an intensely
self-satisfied smile.
BLESS you, then-bless you," he
chuckled, gripping Roger by the hand
ITS hard to lose an only daughter,
but. by heck, I've got what every ia
Their wants when he let's her CO."
What's that?" demanded Roger in
amazement.
"Fatherly privileges-stern refusal
desperate OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
answered Bannister in a breath.