Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-03-28
NEW SERIES, VOL. XL, NO. Is

suspicious blur before her eyes. This
would never Go. size told herself What
she needed was action She rose with
view of seeking the links and playing
twice around the course. She was
halfway down the path when she saw
Higgins, the groom, coming up the
drive
Higgins" she called, you may put
the cob in the trap"
BEG pardon. num-" Higgins de-
INJURED. but the cob's green and amt
fit for ladies driyin', num-
Miss Sterling stamped her foot.
THE cob in the trap. Higgins,
saidr'
Higgins made his way to the stable,
mumbling under his breath. but five
minutes later the trap was at the door.
Miss Sterling climbed in and took the
reins. Higgins let 70 the cobs head
and by dint of a wild scramble man
aged to land in the trap as the cob
bolted for the gate. They tore down
the driveway and swung into the street.
Higgins, his dignity by this time fully
recovered, sat beside Miss Sterling
with folded arms and impressive face.
They drove around the lake at a
reckless pace. The girl gave the cob
his head, and the cob made the most
of his opportunity. They bumped over
stones that lifted the groom foot
from the seat and swung corners that
sent the trap on to one wheel. Hig-
gins coyertly watched his young mis-
tress' face and prayed mentally.
On the other side of the lake COOL
wooded road branched from the lake
drive. Miss Sterling swung the cob
into this, and for the first time IN his
ten years service Higgins took the mi
tiatiye in conversation.
BEG pardon, mum; the roads moi
safe, mum. They do be rollin' it with
road roller
Miss Sterling smiled grimly
so much the better" she said and
fiicked the cob with the whip. The cob
responded with jump that babe fair
to dislocate Higgins neck, and the
trap went tearing up the road.
When Frost left the house he walked
aimlessly around the upper end of the
lake, reviewing mentally every word
of the quarrel On the far side of the
lake he paused before the little wood
ed road that branched off the lake
drive, and because the little wooded
road seemed to offer the peace and
quiet he sought he turned into it aud
walked leisurely through the notified
shadow cast by the branches above
his head
He had proceeded n mile or so when
he came upon the steam roller bump
ing and scraping over the broken stone
with which the roadbed was being re-
paired. For lack of better occupation
he perched on a neighboring wall and
watched the roller vending its ponder
Gus way back and forth.
He had been there perhaps an hour
when he heard the whir of rapidly
moving wheels. He looked up to see
well known trap drawn by spright-
ly cob come smartly around the turn
of the road. In an instant all was con-
fusion, for the cob at the sight of the
roller stood erect on his hind legs.
There was little feminine shrek and
howl of fear from Higgins. The la
borers on the road yelled exeitedly.
The cob came down ON all tours
again and plunged madly into the wall
close to Frost's perch. The trap reel
-
smashing spol1es. Miss Sterling was
tossed from the driving seat into a
clump of bushes. and Higgins sailed
over the wall like some ungainly fowl.
The cob kicked himself clear of the
wreck and galloped snorting up the
road.
Frost ran to the girl and lifted her
from the bushes. TO his unutterable
joy and establishment she was unhurt
All at once he fell to laughing happily.
See here, you've come to me! You've
groveled at my feetw he cried.
At that moment Higgins crawled
painfully over the fence, his hat gone
and his tousled hair bristling with bur
dock burs.
HE amt no ladies' horse, num-" he
began in depreciation.
Miss Sterling, supported by Frost's
arm, laughed lightly.
"IIiggins, he's a dear" she declared.
Something from Frost's pocket was
slid deftly into Higgins palm.
"The cob, num- Higgins inquired
ingeniously.
Whereat Frost laughed immoderate
ly, and Miss Sterling flushed.
Money to loan, in sums to suit, by Chew
& Norris.