The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-20
THE EVENING STORY



For the third time coachman
cailed to Carton to move along that
olners might drive up to the curb.
&c with muttered expression of
G 1tse HsS at the length of time it took
rfed Howell to select a cigar. Hugh
Carton ran his automobile across the
street and fell in line behind two other
cars drawn up beside the square. He
dld not notice that the others belonged
% sight seeing company until
were.
Carton looked down into the face of
an exceedingly pretty girl and flashed
glance at the cars ahead. In an in
s s.La ne comprehended the situation.
Dollar an hour" he said eruff1y
touching his leather cap with what
ne congratulated himself was a good
mutation of chauffeur's salute.
- snali want you about three
hours she said simply, and waited
ooor 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 Howell
standing on the hotel steps, and his
conscience smote him. He had prom
lsed Howell a run, but still 1t was not
MS fault that it took his friend SO long
70 pick out cigars while he remained
outside to be tempted by the prettiest
He could take Howell out at any time.
rms was his one chance with the pretty
girl. Perhaps after awhile he could tell
her that he was not q professional
chauffeur. Before they had gone half
mile he had built an air castle in
which his first fare was esta blished as
chatelaine, and then suddenly the fare
wrecked his castle.
Turn down the next street to 274,"
she ordered, and obediently Carton
drew tfT INT tn
out for a. 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 a ser
want and drive off. Then came the
comforting reflection that perhaps it
might be easier to esta bliSh himself
| 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 60
too fast young man." they started.
It was torture to Hugh to skim
through the residential district witt
| this old figure in the tonneau, ano
more than one surprised glance FOL
! lowed the automobile and the oddly
assorted pair. Even the hope OF oelne
able to win the old lady's favor van
ished when, after several attempts t
engage her in conversation, she
leaned forward and in her high
pitched voice said: "It's no use tC
talk to me, young man; I'm deaf, ane
r Y-0frF1d.
make me nervous, you can't see Where
you are going
He heaved a sigh of relief when a
last he deposited her before her owl
door and was free to escape. He die
not even catch q glimpse of the CIR
who had lured him to his fate
It was late when he entered the
Howells' drawing room that evening
The butler was just announcing ain
ner, and there was barely time tS
make hurried greetings to his hostess
and offer his arm to his companion
Before each plate on the long table
stood a characteristic favor, and th'
Laughter was long and loud when n
picked up the tiny silver and gil
oi ga ette holder fashioned in the form
| of an automobile that stood at hi
plate. The laughter became a shr1el
when, on lifting the lid, he discovered
a 1--WE dollar bill in stage money.
As bravely as he could he faced tn'
storm of laughter and jeering rennark X
which followed, but not until NJ
caught sight of Howell at the othel
| end of the table, fairly convulsed witt
nirth did he discover the secret or nj
undoing, for beside the joker, red anC
unsmiling, was his fare of the morn
When they had all returned to tn
drawing room balm was poured upol
his wounded feelings, for the girl cam
up to him.
IT want to apologize to you, Mr.. Car
| ton" she said bravely, "for my limo
cent completely in the joke my cousin
/ had played upon you.
Il am Mabel Norton, Fred's cousin
and it was he who pointed you out q
me and recommended you as the mos
careful of the public drivers. / assur'
you that had no idea that ne wal
playing a joke upon me"
ct is all right said Carton. I wa
! playing a joke upon you. you see:
] had no business to do it, but-WeH' n
went on lamely, 81 thought that mayb'
-affeT aWrhile-I might be able to tel
you that you were my guest ana no
NV fare. -perhaps-wen,
hope your mother enjoyed the ride
After that things progressed FAMOUS
ly. Following the first trip, carton sI, ll
| automobile was at the door OF zt4 eV
/ erv pleasant afternoon. 1t was IN tn'
| automobile, indeed, that she promised
! to become Mrs. Carton, and they nav
| decided upon an automobile trip Tor tn'
| HONEYMOON Fred Howell has ALREADY
| ordered a new "a horsepower machine al
| a wedding present, but Mabel declares
| that she Drefers the one in which ne
| lover earned his first fare. CartoI
agrees with her. but he speIIs It f fsG11
downright. 1905. by K. A. Whitehead.
QUAKER REFLECTIONS.
/