The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-16

ant breeze, a breeze that was sugges.
tive rather than active, but Ii served Il
cool the air The young man In tht
automobile at the foot of the driveway
considered it a perfect June day.
He was a stranger In the city, the
guest of the niddle-aged gentleman
who had just left him to enter the very
handsome residence.
''Sit still" he had said to the young
man, "while l run into the house and
sec IL Clara Is at home. If she Is we
will go in. If she isn't we will con-
tinue our ride
Whereupon the middle-aged men had
hurried into the house. and for several
moments the young man sat alone.
Then the door suddenly opened, and
down the broad steps came young
woman. She was dressed in street at
tire and evidently had been on the point
OF going out when the middle-aged man
entered. She tripped down the steps
and hurried along the broad walk until
she reached the automobile Scarcely
looking up at the young man she
stepped in and took the seat beside
him. He saw that her face was flushed
and that her eyes glittered, and she
nervously pulled at one glove.
You may go ahead" she said.
The young man did not hesitate. But
as he touched the lever he caught a
hurried glimpse of his host standing on
the porch and smilngly waving him an
adieu. What did it mean?
He swung into the thoroughfare and
struck a steady gait.
You have had experience as Chauf-
feur?" said girl. Her voice was very
pleasant. He stole quick glance at
her. She was charming despite the red
flush. She took him for chauffeur.
He would humor the mistake.
'Yos. miss; for nearly two years.
'Are you familiar with our streets?"
mo, miss. l am from out of town."
You will soon learn. | think"
II trust / am ordinarily intelligent,
miss"
The girl looked him over critically.
You appear like a person of some
education,'' she said.
Yes, miss: l have had fairly good
schooling. 1t isn't of much use to me
in this line, but of course it may come
in handy some day."
How did YOU happen to take up this
business?'
II am very fond of mechanics. miss,
and drifted into it quite gradually. To
my mind it's much more advanced than
the coachman's profession
You have been a coachman?"
i've driven some miss
Her gloves were on to suit her at
last, and the flush had quite died out
of her checks. She sat back at her
ease, and her companion thought her
pose admirable.
Il am your employers daughter" she
said. You may call nc Miss Clara"
'Yes, miss. Any particular direction
you wish TO go. miss"'
NO" replied the young woman. II
ann running away"
The chauffeur admirably concealed
his'surprise.
Yes, miss"
G7''1 am not going back until am quite
ready"
- Certainly not, miss" He paused
and stole another hasty glance at her.
"All have to consider, miss. is wheth-
er my-my employer will understand
the share I am taking in this-this ex-
cursion. miss?''
The young woman actually smiled, a
pleasing feat that would have rejoiccd
t'N ''''S IMAM 5'Nhlis iidu
his attention at the moment from the
work before him.
You need have no fear,' she said. |
my father pays the penalty of having
an only daughter. When she assumes |
the responsibility for her acts there is |
nothing more to be said:
II understand, miss
The young woman looked at him
little curiously.
You evidently are person of more
than ordinary intelligence" she said.
'Of course, mean for one in your posi-
ton"
"Thank you, miss. You are very
good"
"on this account it seems to me that
owe you some explanation"
certainly not. miss"
II am the best judge of that" said
the young woman, little coldly.
Yes. miss"
Besides said the young woman, 'I
want to hear myself talk"
The young man at her side wanted to
hear her talk, too, but he was too dis
Greet to say so.
Before you begin. miss, will you
kindly give me my bearings?
W. St'a'SHl Hileuu, SAID the young |
woman. The road is good all the way.
When l want you to turn I will tell
YOU"
"And the speed?"
''The speed is satisfactory"
"Thank you, miss
the young woman let her ewes rest
for moment on the back of the chauf-
fcur's head as he slightly bent forward.
MY father and ] have had a dis
agreement" she said.
VERY sorry, miss, I'm sure"
The young woman frowned.
1T is about young man."
1T often is, miss"
THE young man has caught nv
fathers fancy--he is the son of an old
friend, My father has planned to have
me marry this young man"
Does the young man know, missP"
Il suppose he knows. My father no
doubt has sung my praises IN his ears I
lust as he has sung his in mine. He
must know a
give him the benefit of the doubt. l
MISS 8
The young woman did not reply i'm
nediately. v
Well she presently said, "I don't q
snow that this helps matters. What 7
lave heard about the young man-not Z
rom my father of course-isn't calcu- u
ated tn raise him in my estimation
wen II he doesn't know. He is rich 6
md an idler. He has lived abroad for
several years. and most of the time in n
tally. fancy that the warmth ana :