The San Francisco call., 1905-02-05
OR the third time q coachman
called to Carton to move along,
that others might drive up to the

|OR the third time q coachman
called to Carton to move along
that others might drive up to the
curb, and with a muttered ex-
preston of disgust at the length
of time 1t took Fred Howell to select
a cigar, Hugh Carton ran his auto
mobile across the street and fell in
line behind two other cars drawn up
beside the square. He did not notice
that the others belonged to sight
seeing company until musical voice
inquired what his terms were.
Carton looked down into the face
of an exceedingly pretty girl and
flashed a glance at the cars ahead. In
an instant he comprehended the situa-
ton. Dollar an hour, he SAID
gruffy, touching his leather cap with
what he congratulated himself was
a good imitation of chauffeur
salute.
IL shall want you about three
hours" she said simply, and waited
while he sprang down and opened the
door in the back of the tonneau. In
another moment they were speeding
up the street
From the corner of his eye he
caught a glimpse of Fred Howeil
standing on the hotel stairs and his
conscience smote him. He had prom
ised Howell a run, but still 1t was not
his fault that it took his friend so long
to pick out~cigars while he remained
outside to be tempted by the prettleSt
girl he had ever seen.
He could take Howell out at any
time. This was his one chance with
the pretty girl. Perhaps after a while
he could tell her that he was not
professional chauffeur. Before they
had gone half a mile he had built an
air castle in which his first fare was
established as chatelaine. and then
suddenly his fare wrecked his castle.
Turn down the next street to PA,
she ordered, and obediently Carton
drew UP. II want to send my mother
out for drive she said sweetly.
Give her a good view of the city and
keep the rest for yourself.
She ran up the steps, while Carton
stared blankly at the five dollar bill
she had thrust into his hand. For a
moment he was tempted to follow her
up the steps, give the money to ser
want and drive Off Then came the
comforting reflection that perhaps it
might be easier to establish himself
with the mother than with the daugh-
ter, and he waited.
A few moments later he was sorry
he had not done so, for down the steps
came one of the most eccentric figures
the stamp of seasons gone before, and
a hideous blue veil screened a face
sharp and angular.
She fixed herself comfortably in the
seat. and with a querulous Don't go
too fast, young man." they started.
1t was torture to Hugh to skim
through the residential district with
l.. IL
more than one surprised glance fol-
lowed the automobile and the oddly as
sorted pair. Even the hope of being
able to win the old lady's favor van
ished when, after several attempts to
engage her in conversation. she leaned
forward and in her high pitched voice
said: It's no use to talk to me, young
man, I'm deaf, and 1 wish you would
not turn round; you make me nervous,
you can't see where you are going"
He heaved a sigh of relief when at
last he deposited her before her own
door and was free to escape. He did
not even catch a glimpse of the girl
who had lured him to his fate.
1t was late when he entered the How
ellis drawing room that evening. The
butler was just announcing dinner,
and there was barely time to make hllr-
ried greeting to his hostess and offer
his arm to his companion for the din
ner
Before each plate on the long table
stood a characteristic favor, and the
laughter was long and loud when he
picked up the tiny silver and gilt cigar
ette holder fashioned in the form of an
automobile that stood at his place
The laughter became a shrek when,
on lifting the lid, he discovered a five
dollar bill in stage money.
AS bravely as he could he faced the
storm of laughter and jeering remarks
which followed. but not until he caught
sight of Howell at the other end of the
table, fairly convulsed with mirth, did