Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1918-01-18
By Margaret Este1e Andenon

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Copyright 1911. Western Newspaper Union. y
Il The auto came to a dead halt with
a softly dying echo Of sound like the
last expiring note Of a musical thren-
ody. sprang from the seat and went
!. over the machine. Then I removed q
cushion, unscrewed the tank top,
probed it with the measuring ruler.
l LESS than three-quarters of an inch
OF gasoline" 1 soliloquized ruefully.
There's nothing but sediment to draw
from, and that below the strain pipe.
Bother!"
1t was not pleasant, hopeful, nor
apparently mendable misadventure. I
knew that the nearest town lay six
miles behind me, the city twelve miles
ahead. The road was traversing had
not shown an average Of one farm
mouse to the mile, and that sparse
neighborhood could scarcely support
garage. was thinking hard what was
best to do, when pedestrian came up.
"Stalled?" he intimated. whats
the trouble?"
Gas gone. You don't happen to
know where could get any?"
| "U-uml Let me see," drawled my
chance visitor musingly. "Why, yes.
You see that grove Of trees, sixty rods
aheadf Well. II hides canyons farm
house. They have a machine and can
help you out"
1 thanked the man. who went lum-
bering along on his way. Sure enough,
as got past the grove a farmhouse
showed. 1t was dark and wrapped in
| gloom. and as l entered the gateway
Of its front yard f1ared my pocket
electric torch to guide me. I went up
the steps, focused the light rays to
find no bell knob and knocked on the
door. There was no response to my
rapping, even after I had repeated 1t
half dozen times.
Nobody home" muttered, disgust
eddy and disagreeably enough, and had
daring idea In my mind to visit the
barn structure at the rear and burst
my way in, II necessary, to explore for
the possible gasoline surplus kept on
hand. when fancied caught the echo
Of voice inside the house
descended the steps and, 1arfng the
light as much to attract attention as
to guide my course, descended them
and walked slowly around one side of
the house Near to small porch
paused Again a cry, call from in
side, reached my hearing. I got up
on the porch, ran my light across a
low French window, and fixed the rays
upon a chair against the inside wall.
In 1t was seated a girl pale, eager
faced, with parted lips and wild eyes
In which there furked q haunted 1-
presGon. Those lips moved Push
In the window !" she cried out.
did 20. II have broken the catch"
said apologencally. a. stepped over
the low sill" I.
THAT does not natter" spoke the
girl rapidly. "You are q stranger
What brought you herer ::
THE need Of gasoline" I told her.
'1s there any about the placer
"Yss. Are you bound for the city7'
"Yes."
-And your supply gave QUIT II you
viii help me. will help you"
-Help your repeated vaguely.
you mean"
Il ana a prisoner. and those who have
chained me here may return at any
moment, so hasten, oh! please don't
delay. Then will show you where the
gasoline Il, provided you take me to
the city"
"Why. certainly" I replied, mystfied
and dubious. "Chainedi Why, 50 you
| arel" Ht
| I was startled. was thrilled. Az I
drew nearer to the girl discovered
that Q chain encircled her waist
| Through this ran another chain, and
| this was padlocked under the chair.
| holding the girl helpless prisoner.
"The key to the paddock is on the
mantel. Oh, hurry! hurryl hurry!"
pleaded the girl breathlessly.
could not analyze the situation
coherently. Was she demented, and
thus made helpless so she could not
rove about and do mischief to life and
property? Taking a risk, I released
her. She seized bunch Of keys and
told me to follow her, ran to the barn.
unlocked a door, and pointed to tank
with funneled zinc bucket beside It.
made two trips to the automobile,
and had got the machine started when
the girl, who had gone back to the
house, came running up, dressed for
the open air and carrying several par.
cells In her arm. These she threw Into
the rear seat and jumped IN herself.
"You said you would take me to the
city" she spoke In q strained, eager
tone. M
II will keep my PROMISE" replied,
'only-I don't understand"
"You shall. when am sure we are
well on our way"
had left bank note on top Of the
tank In the barn, 90 was satisfied
on all scores except the fear that I
might be meddling In dangerous busi-
ness In giving this girl her freedom.
| made 4 swift spin, to slow down only
AZ the lights Of the city began to ap-
pear In the distance. She leaned to-
ward me.
|. You doubtless think am some de-
mented creature" she spoke into ny
ear. wrong. have been kidnapped
and held a prisoner for reason 90
l not comprehend.
I II am q lawyer" announced. with
the budding dignity quite professional.
Tell me your story"
il ~No,r she answered definitely. The
!, people who certainly were bribed to
, lmpr1soa ne are distant relatives.
wish = make them no trouble. I am
freA thAnnn - you. have ffisnds In
: he e1ty. hall b safe win them.
81 ~ II Mt Qsak aGnlh umtd ~
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