Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1920-11-26
A Flight
by
By RALPH HAMILTON
ccHn0cseGc0eGHlS9S
1910. western Newspaper Union,)

There was q broad ceInenI rOdu loi
twenty miles from Chenille TO New
ton, and never did Pierce Danforth en-
joy the spin over its smooth even sur
face as when Vera Wilton was by ms
side. At her home her father a
nothing better than a curt nod n
brusque greeting, but Pierce vas OF
a happy, hopeful temperament n
looked upon the unsympathetic nature
of Mark Wilton as the sour distaste
of a grabbed, suspicious old man.
Pierce always displayed an exu-
berant spirit and was known all
along the park highway as a popular
favOrite. His services were always at
command of the guards who, with
their bicycles maintained the prescriD-
ed system and order of the boulevard.
They waited for and welcomed he
CHEEKY word and smile of the genial,
generous Danforth, and more than
once he had donated generously when
sickness or accident came to any OF
them.
It's as fine a picture as one wishes
to view," observed the captain of the
guards to a companion, ito see bright
youth and beauty spin by in that crack
automobile of young Danforth."
. 81 haven't seen him with Miss Will
ton for over a week, though" submit
ted the other.
mo, they tell me that grabbed old
fellow of a Wilton has turned the cold
shoulder upon Danforth and won't let
the girl keep company with him."
The guards were right in surmising
that Mark Wilton had set his foot
against Vera receiving any further at
tention from Danforth. One day he
called him into his library and intro
duced him to the sourest visaged old
maid Danforth had ever met.
miss Morton, my half sister" e
planned the old man. "She is author
lied by me to impart some views l
entertain regarding my daughter"
In precise, cold-blooded and meas
ured tones, the lady in question in
formed Danforth that he must dis
continue all further association with
Vera.
Years since, it was arranged be-
tween my brother and a close friend
that the son of the latter and Vera
should marry when she becomes OF
age. Her prediction for you is ar
rant folly, and we shall see to it that
you have no further opportunities OF
meeting"
"May l see Miss Vera for a few min
utes before this cruel parting you in
sist upon takes placer" Intercepted
Danforth quietly.
"That only. Come, be a man, Mr.
Danforth. Do not stand in the way
of my niece marrying a gentleman
socially, and in the matter of wealth
her equal"
Pierce Danforth was not the mar tC
whimper, become discouraged OF go tC
pieces emotionally. He whispered one
concise question into the pearly pink
ears of the girl he loved.
"Will you be on the alert, and wheI
the moment comes to steal you away
from these heartless tyrants be ready
to fly with me?"
"Must it come to that, Pierce?" she
asked.
"There is no other way"
"Then I shall keep my eyes oper
and my heart will always be true te
you" she pledged.
Then began an arduous siege Of
watching and waiting for Danforth
So closely was Vera guarded, will
Miss Morton always with her, that she
was never alone away from the house
Niece and aunt went downtown every
day to do some casual shopping, thf
watchful Pierce observed, and as he
noticed that at times one or the other
he formed his plans for a valiant
break in the monotony. Wilton went
to the captain of the guards and hello
a long and secret confab with him
The latter chuckled as he listened.
"Any day you come on the scene
and Miss Wilton is with you, and the
exigency oil lamps hold a bouquet o.
roses, we are to be prepared to see
that nobody blocks you, and anybody
following is to be stopped for speed
ing, no matter how fast you go. l:
that it, Mr.. DanforthY"
Precisely" nodded Pierce, al
smiles.
"TIl post my assistants, and. trus
US, We'll be on the lookout to shoe
you through in fine style"
One afternoon while the Wilton ma
chine was at the curb of the principa
street, Vera in it and Miss Morton il
a store near by. Pierce Danforth's su
perb automobile gracefully sided VI
beside it.
"Vera, the hour has come" he spok,
quickly. "Oh, there is your fathe.
coming down the street, but neve
mind that"
Yes, it was Wilton, and his eye,
bulged as he saw Vera desert thu
home, machine, and transfer to tn,
side of DanfOrth in hi9 own Tn {