The Holbrook news., 1922-09-15
figure to treat her noways but like the princess she is.'
 ssyeS oOraad Clov bumh1v

Yes, agreed Clay humbly.
 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 q toad in a hot skillet. Now that 1t had come down to the actual busi- ness of taking this young woman with them against her will, he began to weaken. His heart acted very strange ly, but he had to go through with it. "C-can 1 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 tie aisle into the next sleeper and stopped at one of the stateroOms. Shakily he opened i 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 us." "YOu-what" 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 tile Kidnapping. "Johnnie, if I were you I'd light a shuck back to the other car. I see Pll 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 un- expectedly failed him. He glanced at Clay and fled.
 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 1 can help it. And where's MT. Lindsay? You said he'd meet us here"
 "Clay. h"'s in the next car"
 You took Miss Beatrice in there to say good-by to him?",
 "No-she-she's goin' along ith us"
 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 nie, this is the limit. Pm 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 coulu 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 it on a hook.
 Come in," she said cordially, but faintly.
 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, Mir. Whitford-" Kitty begged down.
 Beatrice blushed Little dimples came out with her smile. q think I'd better let Clay explain"
 I've were married two days ago, Kitty"
 "Whati" 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 cr scalawagI l never will help you git married again!" he shouted gleefully.
 "Oh. JOhnnie-Johnnie-y be the death of mep' cried Gay. It'll never be a dull old world so long as you stay a bandit"
 Did you really advise him % beat ma Johnnie? asked Beatrice sweetly. l "I never would have guessed you were such a cave man."
 Johnnie famed to the roots of his