The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-05
HOW SHE
WAS WON
By ETHEL. HOLMES

daughter, whose real name was Paul
1ne, don't you think that to pleas
papa you could accept Ernest Towney
How about pleasing myselfl'
"Oh, that viii come later. II 20,
marry Bob Stewart, instead Of inefeas
ing your social distinction, you'll fee
the pinch Of poverty; II you marry
Towne you'll be swell leader lat
er on"
aren't you rich enough to keep my
position for me, papa7"
III Oh, well, you see that what
have will be added to what you get by
marriage"
"Ill think about 1t, papa"
She concluded to refer the case to a
contest between the two suitors. So
she sent word to both of them that she
would the next morning be driving her
car within the limits Of Marion coun-
ty--a region full Of excellent roads,
crossing one another like the wires of
= twisted gridiron-and would marry
whichever Of the two men who pro-
posed first.
Both suitors received the informa-
fion about 10 o'clock at night, the con-
test to take place the next morning.
Neither had any information as to
what point the lady would enter the
chosen district. The county line was
many miles In length, and she might
enter at any point. Even If q candi-
date entered near her he would not
know which direction she would take,
and he might set of In the opposite
one. Both men made their prepara-
tons before turning In for the night.
Towne went to his garage, where he
kept several cars, and ordered his
chauffeur to prepare the one best suit
ed to his needs for the contest. He
was not a driver himself and expected
to use his chauffeur for that purpose.
Stewart on receiving his notification
sat down to job of thinking on the
matter. He could see no hope Of his
securing an advantage over his rival
by ordinary methods of transporta-
ton. 1t. would be purely a matter Of
luck, the man having the best luck
winning At midnight he had solved
che problem.
Before daylight Miss Harrison start
cd, with single attendant, for the
trial ground, and by the first peep Of
day she was In its center, ready to take
any course her fancy dictated At
the starting hour Towne passed the
line and began to follow a route he
had laid down on the map which he
thought would give him the best
chance of meeting. His car was
capable Of making sixty miles an hour
and when on long stretches his chauf-
feur was instructed to get that speed |
out Of her.
Miss Harmon, being In the center of |
the county. worked from that outward,
whereas 1t was supposed that she
would enter at the outside and work |
Inward. Towne began by making a
speedy zig3ag rum following the trend
Of the line, hoping to come upon the
prize soon after she entered OF
course he completed the circuit with
out meeting her. Nevertheless he con-
tinued on the same plan, which was to
make shorter and shorter circuits till
he arrived at the center.
Miss Harmon's plan was something
Ike this, though she did not make q
regular spiral from the center to the
line. She saw nothing of either of
her suitors. Mr.. Towne passed her
on bis inward. her outward, move on
he opposite side Of the ground of con-
est When they came round again
be was within, she was without
.hough they passed within a quarter
If mile Of each other.
All this time nothing was seen of
Stewart. Miss Harmon had been on
he road three hours and was begin
ling to tire. AZ first she assumed that
The had missed both her suitors. In
Iced, when she came to think Of Il
.almly 1t was quite likely that she
night ride all day over so large a field
meeting either Of them. As to
rowne, he had not yet reached the CEN
er point
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon Miss
Harmon was driving along a stretch of
Dad in which there was no turn when
n auto pumped itself from a side :
'ath into the middle of the road right ;
efore her. She had barely time to
top within a few feet Of II when Bob
tewart jumped out of the obstructing
ar, sprang on to the footboard Of Miss
lannon's car and, seizing her hand,
sked her to marry him.
Suspense was ended. The man she
wed had won.
you scamp~ she exclaimed through
miles. Il don't believe you have won
airly."
II have taken no iIlegitimate advan-
lge," was the reply.
How did you do it,"
But Bob wouldn't tell-at least not
len. Indeed, be never told till after
lie wedding. He had been doing some
hing In air travel and had kept both
Is rival and his girl in sight all day
'om the clouds. When they got as far
part as possible and in a favorable
Dsition for him to reach his auto he
ad descended and-won.
Papa" said Miss Harmon to her IA
Ter the evening Of the contest, "I'm
'rry 1 can't please you by marrying
rnest Towne"
why not, Dottyr'
Bob Stewart is the smarter man."