The Press., 1920-03-18
Welded EnrOute
By SAIDEE E. BALCOM
(Copyright, 1919 by the Western News
 paper Union.)

 a barren expanse of meadow, sparsely sheltered inside of a board structure one end of which was entirely exposed to the clements.
 He had been informed by letter by his new parishiOners that he would be met by wagon or by light hand-car which twice d day brought freight, and sometimes passengers, from Merton along a seven-mile abandoned narrow gauge spur Neither wagon nor hand- car had appeared, and almost with re sentiment Rev. Joel Mannierre stood viewing the unfamiliar landscape.
 He ran out into the middle of the road and waved his arms as an auto mobile driven by pleasant-1acen young man, a very charming girl of about seventeen at his side, slowed up
 "Please excuse me- spoke the TOT lorm one, but I am stranger, ana 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.
 "I think I understand" spoke up lu- cllc. Durland. "We passed wagon broken down in a rut some ways down the road. and it must be the one dcle- gated to see that you were taken care of"
 "As it is, make yourself comfortable in the back seat and we will get you t" welcome and comfort in a iiffy " said Alan. "I am not much of church man, but LuciIle here. has dev"utneSS enough to make up for whole neg lectful community"
 It was very plain to Reverend Man niere that he was in the company or 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- wards the bright-Spirited young fellow, who kept up an animated converSa- ton until 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
  was stored. Lucills'S mother was dead and her Stepfather, crusty. eXactlnE old tyrant and servant were her sole home companions. Alan left her few hundred feet from the house for Mir. Durland had a decided aversion to bcaux. and had told Lucille she must not think of engagement or marriage n
 'Wednesday afternoon. Lucille,' were Alan's parting words.
 "YeS, if you must have your way. Oh. dear! I fear there will be scene when father learns the truth"
 cts the only way to insure our hap | pness," insisted Alan. 'Tll come at l about three, in the automobile. oU be all ready, and we'll spin to Verden and be 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 hin | and, admitting him, told him that Lrl cille would be downstairs in few minutes Alan was impatiently await | ing the appearance of his lady love when the servant burst into his pres | ence. alive with excitement. "Mr. Ware." she tluttered "Mr. Dul: | land is coming tearing down the street | like mad I don't know why, but if you | do. and your idea is to go somewhere with Lucille, you had better hurry.' '"That fellow. Ware." panted Mir | Durland. few minutes later tlashing | into the house. "That's his automO bile outside. He's trying to steal q march on me. Where is he. Lucille"
 MT. Ware was here a minute ago. reported the servant. "and Miss Lu l ciIle was up in her room."
 But Alan had disappeared, and, Lu cillc, too. Warned by the servant, the! had stolen cut the back way. The dauntleSS Alan resolved that the elope ment should not be a EzZle. Had Inc not the marriage license in his pOCk ct? Lucille was all unnerved, but sh' followed his instructions. They hat | reached the hHnd-rar shelter.
 It's the only way" declared Alan and settled the old but light vehicle across the rails. "NoW, then, dear. fo terminus and d dash on foot to Yer den before your father can Overtak uS"
 Richard Durland uttered a hollow roar of rage and discontinue as h saw his stepdaughter and Alan speed
 ing down the rails. Then he hurrie around the house and jumped into Al ans automobile.
 From the hand-car the fugitive could discern and comprehend this ma neuver Whenever the road beyond tn cut came within view of Alan, he coul see the automobile keeping pace wit them. Turning a curve he made out figure walking between the rails.
 "Oh :" spoke Lucille. ''It's Mir. Mar nicre"
 "What luck Hi. get aboard! w need yOu." chcerily hailed Alan, an the hand-car slowed down, and the dashed on again, with three passe1 gers aboard.
 The automobile reached the end q the spur first. As the hand-car arrive | Durland made dash for his steI daughter.
 "Reached you in time.' he shouted
 "No, too late" disSented Alan, a smiles. "Mr. Durland. allow ne 10 il trOduce you to our accOmmpdatifl friend, Rev. MT. Manniere. He h;l just married us. en route."
 HIS WORD OE rEEI lVIRT,