Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-12-26
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Her ESCAPADE
By MILDRED White.
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| Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union)
Mollie caught her cloak from the hall
rack, and pulled a velvet turban over
her wavy hair.
II have an errand down the street"
she told the group around the fire
place. II won't be gone more than
; ten minutes" But the clock on the
mantel chimed seven, and still dinner
waited.
At 7:3O Aunt Millicent called her
guests for the evening meal.
II don't see what has become Of
; Mollie," she said, "she is always as
! good as her word"
Perhaps" suggested Mollie's broth
er, Reverend James, cher errand may
have been to see a sick person who
needs help"
"You don't think an accident" be-
gan Aunt Marie, from the city.
IF anything had happened, I should
have heard by this time,'' Aunt Milli-
cent decided comfortably. Lets en-
| joy our dinner and be ready to re-
ceive the later guests when they
! come"
Mollie at that minute was flying
! along a moonlit road in a sOft-rOlling
| car, driven by strange man whom
i Mollie had never seen. She was enjoy
! ing herself immensely; the crisp breeze
! of autumn famed her rosy cheeks, and
! the pace she and her unknown COM
| panion were travelling was eXhilarating.
j 1t was all part Of the witchery of the
i borne Of cracking leaves in the road
| way and shadows tall and reckoning,
! from the moonlit hills.
Mollie had been, during the course
| of her useful life, well-disciplined
! young woman. Tonight the errand
| which urged her forth was to carry a
glass Of jelly to protege Of hers in
! the old folks home.
The old folks home was set back
from the road, and N1ollie expected to
leave the jelly and return at once to
Aunt A1illicent's party. She and Aunt
cess Of the little party, that MOllie's
brother, Reverend James, might feel
proud in thus entertaining his friends.
Suddenly, as Mollie stepped out from
| the entrance Of the old folks home, and
stood revealed in the brilliancy Of thu
7 October moon, noiseless automobile
rolled toward her like an appariti0n\
~ al
her into it's embrace.
A mans voice, a pleasing though
commanding voice, had said peremp-
torily:
"step in, please and Mollie had
stepped I'M
As, the car went flying up the hill,
Mollie was not dismayed at her own
unquestioning obedience; instead, a
sense Of pleasurable adventure pos
sessed her.
'Who sent you for me?'' she asked
her silent companion, land who are
yOu?"
The man, busy with the intricacies Of
the narrow road, cast glance at her, !
but did not reply until he had brought !
the machine to a stop in O safely Sc
questered corner.
II was asked to pick up Miss Hill
at the old folks home" he said. ut,
seemed she was visiting there, and a
friend telephoned her that I would
drive her farther on to her destination.
"You are-Miss Hill?"
Noble sat up very straight. I
II am not" she answered. shortly.
The man looked suddenly into Mol
lies face and she gazed back at him,
wide-eyed. j
Her long gaze proved strangely reas-,E
which regarded her wonderingly. Mol
lie smiled, and Mollie's smile was
charming. i
eve have both been mistaken" she5,E
explained 81 thought when you called,'s
that my brother had sent one of his!
friends to hurry me home. You cam:
drop me on your way back to the oldI'
folks home. BY this time Miss Hill
is probably waiting" NE
The man uttered a low exclamationl
"And I've brought you on here, OUT
of your way" he said. "You must leNa
me take you safely home, before I CALI:
for Miss HILL" But Mollie objected. !
II couldn't think of troubling you sci
far" she replied. 'sYou may let me
out Just where you found me-" !
Regretfully, the man turned the ma,
chine about. I,
"These hills are wonderful in thu !,
moonlight" he murmured. "WoulsS !
you mind" he added impulsively, fl|{
1 rode on a bit farther to get bette:sl !:
view before taking you DOWN." H.
It was then that Mollie blamed th'AN
witchery of the night for the promptly
ness of her eager consent. 4
When the car halted at last befor}l
the old folks home the man turned t.
her. \
LET me drive you home,'' he beggetE1
latter I have found my CHARGE" 4
The arrival at Aunt Millicent's wall
strangely confusing. Reverend janet
rushed out to meet the car before ii