St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-08-05

| ~.-~AAA~N
| sell a whack on the thigh. A bril-
liant idea had flashed into his crani
UNI. It proceeded to grow until hi
was like to burst with 1t.
When Lindsay rose from breakfas,
he was mysteriously beckoned into
another room. Johnnie outlined
sketchily and with good deal Of hes,
itation what he had in mind. Clay,
eyes danced with that spark Of mis-
chief his friends had learned to recog
nlze as danger signal.
You're some sure-enough wizard
Johnnie" he admitted. II expect
you're right about girls not KNOWN
their own minds. You've had more
experience with women than I have
II You say the proper thing to do Is
to abduct Miss Whitford and take her
with us, why"
"Onct in while you got to play like
you're gonna treat 'em rough" said
Mr.. Green sagely, blushing triffe
nevertheless.
"All right. I'll let you engineer this
If can make up my mind to it after
I've milled it over. I can see you
know what you're doin;."
The consplrators arranged details.
Johnnie was the brains Of the kidnap-
Ing. Clay bought the tickets and was
to take charge Of the prisoner after
the train was reached. They decided
1t would be best to get stateroom for
the girl.
1--WE wantta make it, as easy as we
can for her." said Johnnie. 20 course
It's all for her own good, but we don't
figure to treat her noways but like the
princess SHE Is"
"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. consplrator was as easy
as toad In 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
~, but he had to go through with 1t.
"C-can see you. a 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 hereT' she
asked.
HYes'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
" to Clay.
"Better explain to Miss Whitford,"
said Clay, passing the buck.
tits for yore good, Miss Beatrice"
stammered the villain who had brought
her. 'We-we-I--1 done brought you
here to travel home with M"
"You-what7"
Before her slender, outraged dignity
Johnnie wflted. kitty, she can
chaperoon you. It's all right, ma'am.
rwe-1 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 a
trunk-without-"
Clay took charge Of the kidnapping.
"Johnnie, If were you I'd light
shuck back to the other car. I see TIL
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-
failed him. He glanced at
Clay and fled.
He was called upon the carpet i'm
mediately on Joining Kitty. 80
"What are you up to, Johnnie7 I'm
not going to have you make a goose
Of yourself If can help 1t. And
where's Mr.. Lindsay7 You said he'd
meet us here"
"Clay, he's In the next carr
'sYou took Miss Beatrice In there to
say good-by to him7''
"No-she-she's goin' along with
M"
"Going along with us7 What do you
mean, Johnnie Green7'
He told her his story, not at all
cheerfully. His bold plan looked very
different now from what 1t had two
days before.
Kitty rose with decision. "Well Of
ill the foolishness ever heard, John
ME, this Is the limit. I'm going right
to that poor girl. You've spoiled every
hing, between you. She'll hate Mr..
Lindsay for the rest Of her life. How
could he be so stupid 7"
Her husband followed her, crestfal-
len. He wanted to weep with chagrin.
Beatrice opened the door Of the
,tateroom. She had taken off her
hat and Clay was hanging it ON