Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1907 — Dan's Silver Lining [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Dan's Silver Lining

By W. F. BRYAN.

Copyrighted, 1907, by Homer Sprague.

„ “I think I can make it,” said Sheldon confidently. “My car is not as fast as your father’s, but we ought to be able to get a fair start, and with half an hour’s handicap we’ll be In town and married before he can catch up with us.” “I hope so,” said Patrice. hate to be caught and carried back in disgrace, Dan.” “You won’t be,” he promised confidently. “You be on the edge of the grounds tomorrow at 3. By the time they find out you are gone it will be impossible to catch us.” “I don’t see why father cfcnnot be nice and let us be married at home,” pouted Patrice. “Just because there has been bad blood in the two families since your grandfather and mine fought a duel is no reason why we should not marry,” “Your father thinks otherwise,” . iahgkcd Dau. “An elopement Is the only riling left, since he watches you so closely, and there is no hope «.f ever obtaining his consent.” “I’H he there just at 3,” she replied quietly. “Be sure to be on time.” “Don't worry,” he returned ns he bent to kiss her. “Everything will come out all right.” Patrice looked after him wistfully as he slipped through the trees. She disliked the Idea of deception, but it Was appareut that her father would never consent to her marriage to Dan Sheldon, and an elopement was Inevitable. She could not give up Dan. The main road ran past the Carney estate straight to the town, twentyfive miles away. With a clear track , and po accidents they could get to town and become lost in the streets long before ber father's powerful car could catch up with them. It wag difficult to slip away as 3 o’clock approached, but Patrice managed to find an excuse, and as Sheldon In his dark green car came up the road she stepped through the trees beside the road. ■ Earlier in the morning she bad bidden a satchel with some necessities In the little clump j»f elms, and now she tossed this into the car and climbed to the seat beside Dan. The tonneau had been removed and the car stripped to lighten the weight and increase the speed. Almost before she had settled herself the car shot forward again. She turned to look back and gave a little cry. Just as they passed an open space ber father bad come out on the piazza and had seen them. She could bow discern his figure running toward the garage as a clump of trees Intervened. “Can’t we turn up some side road?” she-Suggested after she had told Dan of her discovery. He shook his head. “I think we had better make straight tor town,” he said. “We shall have at least ten minutes start, and we may be able to do It.” ' , “Let’s hope sq,” she cried. “Don’t

let us be caught.” “Don’t worry,” he cried as he threw the lever to the highest speed. “If we are caught we will at least know that there has been a race.” The car shot forward, and while the girl looked back to discover the approach of the pursuers Dan kept his glance fastened upon the road ahead and gripped the steering wheel with a firmer clutch. They were going at a speed that required the utmost care in steering, and he could not turn to look back. For ten minutes they sped along, and still no pursuit was reported. Dan began to hope that all would go well. Two miles beyond the road made a sharp turn through a thickly wooded tract, and Dan slowed up slightly for the curve. As they came round the bend he uttered an exclamation and shut off the speed. Just ahead a wagon had been drawn across the road, and he was compelled to come to u halt. "Get that wagon out of the way!”

“CAN’T WB Givi TOO A LOT BACK HOME ?’’ he shouted. Instead the man slowly climbed down from the seat of the ramshackle vehicle. “I guess I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to give orders if I was you,’’ he said as he came lumbering toward them. “I’m the constable here, and there ain’t no fresh city chaps as kin give orders when they are under arrest in Woodey township. I guess you’ll have to see the squire about violating them speed regulations.” “Can’t I pay you the fine?" pleaded Dan. *Tm in a great hurry to get to town. The penalty is S2O, Isn’t it?” “That’s what it is,” was the reply, “but if you think you’re going to give me the money and then say I took a bribe you’re mistaken. We do things regular and in order in this township.” “But we are eloping,” pleaded Patrice. “My father is right behind. Won’t you let us go, please?” “If you’re in a hurry,” said the constable dryly, “you’d better stop talking and drive me over to the court” “Jump in,” invited Dan. “I guess

the three of us can manage.” The constable sat on the bottom of the car and Indicated the road. “Drive righ| up there,” he commanded. “The Justice is sitting, and he’ll try your case at once.” They turned up the middle path that, wound through the woods, and presently they were in the tiny courtroom that formed a part of the wood shed of the farmhouse. The trial was conducted with the expedition of long practice. Dan pleaded guilty, paid his fine and turned away. “I guess we’ll run into your father,” he said dolefully. “No chance of a wedding now.” “Goin’ to git married?” Inquired the Justice. “What you want to go to town for? I guess I can hitch you up about as tight as any city parson. It’s only $5.” “There’s a silver lining to every cloud,” laughed Dan. “Come, Pat, let’s get married right here.” Hand in hand they stood before the table that represented the bar of Justice and made the responses required by the brief formula. Then the Justice laboriously filled out a highly illuminated certificate with his spluttering pen and handed it to them. “I guess that ties you up as good and strong as you’ll want,” he said. “Five dollars, and I alius kiss the bride.”

“Make it $lO and no kiss,” suggested Dan as Patrice shrank from the sight of the magisterial beard. “Never saw a kiss that was worth $5, so pass over the $10,” said the Justice comfortably. “Now you can get along to town or back to papa.” He went back to his potato hatch, and the automobile resumed its way down the road. As they came to the highway Patrice gave a cry. Her father’s car had run into the wagon that the constable had forgotten to remove. The mechanic had brought the car to a stop Just as the front wheels had wrecked the wagon. No one was hurt, but the wagon was fit for kindling wood, and both front tires of the auto were punctured. “Can’t we give you a lift back home?” suggested Dan as they came to the road. “Mrs. Sheldon and myself are going right past your place.” “Mrs. Sheldon!” echoed Mr. Carney. “Married already*?” “Justice of peace,” explained Dan. performed automobillsts fined while you wait. It’s a thriving industry.” The old man climbed aboard the car. “I guess there's no use in trying to keep up a feud when you young people are so determined,” be said. "Let’s go back to the house. I’m glad I didn’t have to make that trip ko town for nothing.” “Every cloud has a silver lining,” laughed Dan as he started the car. ““y silver lining is the best of all.” And he kissed the new Mrs. Sheldon.