Daily camera., 1901-05-16
Something must be wrong.


Everything is wrong" This gloom
ily. III Crandali really were here now
would yon--er-"
"No. wouldn't. Help me to stop II,
| pl-e-a-s-e dol"
The last low sand ridge had been
passed and they were gliding over the
smooth. hard. wet beach toward the
water. Eskridge furtively did some.
thing with his foot, unseen by Helen,
and the auto stopped.
Have l really no hope?" he asked,
lugubriously. as she sighed In relief.
After all my months of devotion"
"Months!" Her rosy lips curlcd In
credulously. "Six weeks ago hardly
knew you-oh. George!-why don't It
turn ms well rs stop?"
perhaps it needs Crandall. being .
Crandall machine"
"You're just dreadful to-dayl" Hell.
| en-. indignant, was about to leap out
when Eskridyc again made furtive
move and the auto again started for
ward like thing OF life.
She was thrown back into his arms
and her eyes sparklcd angrily; but
fear once more became dominant, for
the machine sped toward the sea as
il determined to drown them both.
I'm going to jump" she cried.
nervously. .
And break your pretty neckf No;
let's drown. It's easier"
E.Lv;l,~ folAnl
await the inevitable. "Crandall will
hypnotize another girl, and"
II wish he was here to manage this
auto"
II don't. Ifyou won't have me, you
shall not have him." The hiss of the
incoming tide mingled with his tones
I'VE will die together
Miss Hearst shuddered; yet, had she
been afoot, clad in her latest love of
"a bathing gown, she might have en-
joyed the liquid swirl that now licked
the pneumatic tires. Why she did moi
boldly leap out she hardly knew. Did
fear restrain her-or George?
AS the water deepened the mobile
moved more slowly, yet it neither
stopped nor turned. An incoming
wave. curling upward in q grcenish
graceful, menacing way, made her
breathe quickly and she looked at
Eskridge. Ye godsl He was. or
seemed to be, preparing to light
cigarette. Wns this despair. idiocy or
sheer bravado? Handsome he GER
tainiy WAS. though she had hardly con
sidered him so before. Perhaps his
indomitable composure at such
crisis forced o sudden admiration
upon her and banishcd the image OF
Crandall forever.
At any rate, as the whitening roarer
in front poised itself over the dash
board. Helen uttered q faint shrek
and threw her arms around George.
scattering his cigarettes.
Save mel" she implored.
Then you do love me, even though
don't run an autoYa
"Y-ye-s!" The shower bath was de-
scending and she closed her eyes.
"ugh-ow!"
"And you don't care for Crandall?"
pursued George. inexorably.
"No-oh! Isn't this horrible?''
Its blissful, ccstatic. One kiss,
dear. Now-open your eyes"
The auto was turning, the wave was
rsceding. and Eskridge, with hand and
foot def,iy employed, WAS guiding her
back TO dry land and safety.
"Why-you do know how?" she
screamed. whereat the impudent dog
actually grinned; yet she could not
again grow angry. try as she might.
George. somehow. seemed better in
spite Of il all, though they were half
drenched and had doubtless shocked
more than one distant onlooker by
these proceedings. As they scorched
back up the avenue, whom should they
see but Crandall himself on his way
from the railroad depot. George
looked at her inquiringly.
Don't stop" she whispered. II
know I'm q sight to behold"
II believe you were expecting him."
said Eskridge, a. Crandall looked aft
er them dubiously.
She pinched his arm and they
laughed like children laugh.