The Red Cloud chief., 1921-02-03
AFligh.
by Auto
By RALPH HAMILTON

20. 1920. Western H~ewspaper Union. ,

ION, ana never did Pierce DanfOrth en-
JOY the spin over its smooth ever sur
face as when Vera Wilton was by his
side. At her home her father had
nothing better than a curt nod and
brusque greeting. but Pierce was Of
q happy. hopeful temperament and
looked upon the unSynIpathetlc nature
Of Mark Wilton rs the sour distaste
of n 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 prescrlb-
"l system and order Of the boulevard.
They waited for and welcomed the
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.
ITS as fine q picture rs one wishes
to view," observed the captain of the
guards to n companion. ITO see bright
youth and beauty sp'n by In that crack
automobile ~ young Danforth."
II haven't seer him with Miss VIII.
ton for over a week, though submit
ted the other.
"No, 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
tentlon 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, OK
planned the old man. "She Is author
lied by me 10 impart some views |
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 1t that
you have no further opportunities of
meeting"
"May I see Miss Vera for q few min
utes before. this cruel parting you In
sist upon takes placer Intercepted
Danforth quietly.
"That only. Come, be q 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 man to
whimper, become discouraged or 20 to
pieces ~emotionGily. He whispered one
concise question into the pearly pink
ears of the girl he loved.
"WIll YOU be on the alert, and when
the moment comes TO steal you away
from these heartless tyrants be ready
to fly with mel"
Must 1t come to that, Pierce?' she
asked.
There is no other way"
Then | shall keep my eyes open
and my heart win always be true to
you,' she pledged.
Then began an arduOus siege of
watching aud waiting for Danfortlf.
So closely was Vera guarded. with
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, the
watchful Pierce observed, and as he
noticed that AZ times one or the other
remained in the machine at the curb
he formed his plans for a valiant
break. lin the monotony. Wilton went
to the captain of the guards and held
a long and secret confub with him.
The latter chuckled as he listened.
ANY day you come on the scene
and Miss Wilton is with you, and the
eXlgency oil lamps hold a bouquet OF
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. Is
that 1t, Mr.. Danforth?'
Precisely" nodded Pierce, all
smiles.
"I1l post my assistants, and. trust
us, Wen be on the lookout to shoot
you through In fine STYLE"
One afternoon while the Wilton ma
chine was at the curb Of the principal
street, Vera in 1t and Miss Morton In
a store nea by. Pierce Danforth's SUI
perb automobile gracefully sidled up
beside II.
"yera, the hour has come" he spoke
quickly. "Oh, there is your father
coming down the street, but never
mind that"
Yes, 1t was Wilton, and his eyes
bulged as he saw Vera desert the
home, machine, and transfer to the
side Of Danforth In his own. In a
flash the latter auto whisked by him
Wilton made a fearful outcry. for he
suspected what was happening.
Down the road sped Pierce and
Vera. In hot pursuit came the OLD