The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-10-13

les, agreed Clay numDly.
According to program, carefully ar
ranged by Johnnie, Beatrice rode down
to the train with him and Kitty in
their taxicab. She went on board for
the final good-by and chatted with
them in their section.
The chief conspirator was as easy
as a toad in hot skillet. Now that
it had come down to the actual bust
ness of taking this young woman with
them against her will, he began to
4 weaken. His heart acted very strange
ly, but he had to go through with it.
''C-can l see you minute in the next
car, Miss Beatrice?" he asked, his
voice quavering.
Miss Whitford lifted her eyebrows,
but otherwise expressed no surprise.
Certainly, Johnnie"
He led the way down the aisle into
the next sleeper and stopped at one
of the staterOoms. Shakily he opened
the door and stood aside for her TO
pass first.
you want me to go in here?" she
asked.
"Yes'm."
Beatrice stepped in. Johnnie fol.
lowed.
Clay rose from the lounge and said,
"Glad to see you, Miss Whitford."
did you bring me here to say good
by, Johnnie?" asked Beatrice.
The Runt's tongue stuck to the roof
of his mouth. His eyes appealed dumb
ly TO Clay.
"Better explain TO Miss Whitford,"
said Clay, passing the buck.
ITS for yore good, Miss Beatrice"
stammered the villain who had brought
her. "We-we-I-I done brought you
here to travel home with u.s."
"You-wnat?"
Before her slender, outraged dignity
Johnnie wilted. kitty, she-she can
chaperoon you. It's all right, ma'am.
I-we-I didn't go for to do nothin
that wasn't proper. We thought"
You mean that you brought me
here expecting me to go along with
you-without my consent-without a
trunk-without-"
Clay took charge Of the kidnapping.
Johnnie, if / were you I'd light a
have TO treat this lady rough as you
advised"
Johnnie wanted to expostulate, to
deny that he had ever given such
counsel, TO advise an abandonment of
the whole project. But his nerve I'M
expectedIy failed him. He glanced at
Clay and fed.
He was called upon the carpet i'm
mediately on joining Kitty.
! "What are you UP to, Johnnie? I'm
not going to have you make a goose
of yourself if l can help it. And
where's Mr.. Lindsly? You said he'd
meet US here"
"Clay, he's in the next car"
"You took Miss Beatrice in there to
say good-by to him?"
"No-she-she's goin' along nth
u.s."
"Going along with us? What do you
mean, Johnnie Green"
He told her his story, not at all
cheerfully. His bold plan looked very
different now from what it had two
days before.
Kitty rose with decision. "Well, of
all the foolistness l ever heard, John
ME, this is the limit. I'm going right
to that poor girl. You've spoiled every
thing, between you. She'll hate Mr..
Lindsay for the rest of her life. How
could he be so stupid?"
Her husband followed her, crestfal-
len. He wanted to weep with chagrin.
Beatrice opened the door of the
stateroom She had taken off her
hat and Clay was hanging 1t on a
hook.
Come in," she said cordially, but
family.
Kitty did not quite understand. The
atmosphere was less electric than she
had expected. She stopped, taken
aback at certain impressions that be-
gan to register themselves on her
brain.
johnnie was tellin' me-"
about how he abducted me. Yes.
Wasn't it dear of him?'
But"
"I've decided to make the best Of it
and go along"
"I-your father, Mr.. Whitford-"
Kitty begged down.
Beatrice blushed. Little dimples
came out with her smile II think I'd
better let Clay explain"
"We were married two days ago,
Kitty"
what ~ shouted the Runt.
"We intended to ask you both to the
wedding, but when Johnnie proposed
to abduct Miss Wh:tford, l thought it
pity not TO let him. So we"
Johnnie fell on him and beat him
with both fists you daw-goned OF
scaIawagI l never will help you git
married again. he shouted gleefully.
"Oh, Johnnie-Johnnie- be
the death of mel" cried Cay. It'll
never be dull old world 80 long as
you stay bandit"
did you really advise him % beat
me, Johnnie?" asked Beatrice sweetly.
Il never would have guessed you were
such a cave man."
Johnnie famed to the roots of his
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