The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-01-16

about seventeen at his side. slowed up.
please excuse me-" spoke the for
} lorn one, "but am a stranger, and
! was TO have been met here by some
, body am the new pastor Of the Mer-
, ton church. Can you direct me how
to reach that town.
"Why, jump right in" cried Alan
Ware, open-heartedly.
II think understand" spoke up Lu-
ellie Durland. 1--WE passed wagon
broken down in rut some ways down
the road and 1t must be the one dele
gated 10 see that you were taken care
Of
"As II Is, make yourself comfortable
In the back seat and we VIII get you to
welcome and comfort In jiffy!" said
Alan. 81 am NOT much of a church
man. but Lucille, here, has devoutness
enough TO make up for whole neg
lectful community"
1t was very plain to Reverend Man
Mere that he was in the company Of
two heartsome beings very much in
love with each other
Lucille told him a lot as to his new
charge and the clergyman warmed to-
wagds the bright-splrIted young fellow,
who kept up an animated conversa-
tion untll the reverend gentleman was
landed in the hotel at Merton.
Alan and Lucille were secretly en-
gagged She lived with her stepfather
at the edge of Merton, and behind her
home was Il shed where the hand-car
was stored. Lucllle's mother was dead
and her stepfnther, crusty, exacting
old tyrant, and a servant were her
sole home companions. Alan left her
few hundred feet from the house, for
Mr.. Durland had a decided aversion to
beauX, and had told Lucille she must
not think Of engagement or marriage
for at least two years to come.
"wednesday afternoon, Lucille"
were Alan's parting words.
Eyes, il you must have your way.
Oh, dear! | fear there will be a scene
when father learns the truth"
tits the only way to insure our hap
piness," insisted Alan. 'I'll come at
about three, in the automobile. You
be all ready, and we'll spin to Verden
and he back, man and wife, before your
father gets home"
And Wednesday at three o'clock
Alan Ware drove up in front of the
Durland place. The servant liked him
and, admitting him. told him that r,u.
ellie would be downstairs in a few
minutes. Alan was impatlently await.
ing the appearance of hfs lady love
when the servant burst into his pres
ence, alive with excitement.
"Mr. Ware" she fiuttered, "Mr. Dur.
land is coming tearing down the street |
like mad. don't know why, but If you
do, and your idea is to go somewhere
with Lucille, you had better hurry"
"That fellow. Ware" painted Mr..
DurIand, few minutes later dashing.
into the house. "rhat's his automo-
bile outside. He's trying to steal a
march on mel Where is he, Lucille?"
"Mr. Ware was here a minute ago."
the servant "and Miss Lu-
cille was up in her room"
But Alan had disappeared, and, Lu-
cille, too Warned by the servant, they
had stolen out the back way. The
dauntless Alan resolved that the elope-
ment should not be a fiz2le Had he
not the marriage license in his pock-
ct? Lucille was all unnerved. but she
his instructions. They had
reached the hand-car shelter.
Its the only way" declared Alan,
md settled the old but light vehicle
across the rails. "Now, then, dear, for
terminus and dash on foot to Ver-
den before your father can overtake
lsl"
Richard Durland uttered a hollow
roar OF rage and discontinue as he
saw his stepdaughter and Alan speed
ng down the rails. Then he hurried
around the house and Jumped into AL
ms automobile.
From the hand-car the fugitives
,oud discern and comprehend this ma
leuver. Whenever the road beyond. the
,ut came within view of Alan, he could
Zee the automobile keeping pace with
hem. Turning a curve he made out
igure walking between the rails.
"Oh" spoke Lucille. 'It's Mr. Man
iereW
"What luck! HI, get aboard! We
iced you" cheerily hailed Alan, and
he hand-car slowed down, and then
ashe1 on again, with three passen-
ers aboard.
The automobile reached the end Of
he spur first. AS the hand-car arrived
)urland made a dash for his step
aughter.
Reached you In timel" he shouted.
mo, too late" dissented Alan, all
miles. MIR. Durland, allow me to in
roduce you to our accommodating
riend, Rev. Mr.. Manniere. He has