Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-05-20
Copyright. 1905,
bv Hubert Mclean Johnston

that and finds another chap holding the
lady's hand and his other arm hover
ing suspiclously along the back Of the
chair I think he should feel jolly well
sore. ! know I did. AS for Joe Had
den, he looked bored when I came In
and half swore.
IL beg pardon" said /. IF I'm in
truding'-
Phyllis eyes twinkled, and l knew
she was laughing ut me.
Just then Dawcy Graham came in.
This one is ours, Phyllis" said he.
holding up his card: THE third waltz.
you know"
THANK you, Jack" said Phyllis as
she drank the lemonade.
went down to the smoking room for
a cigarette to steady my nerves.
don't know and for that matter don't
care what Joe did.
However. had the better of him. for
l took Phyllis into supper.
Accept him, Phyllis" I growled sur.
lily.
Not yet" said Phyllis.
"Going to-" I questioned In the same
tone.
Phyllis brows met I'm perplexed
frown. She appeared to be bordering
the problem very deeply.
1--WE thought of a way to settle 1t be-
tween you," she condescended to reply
at length. Tomorrow morning I'm GO
Ing up to Grovchurst Hall, and you and
Joe are to run IL race up there In your
autos. The one who gets there first
will-will win the race" finished Phyl-
lis lamely.
knew what that meant IL Had
don's touring car wouldn't be able to
beat my dinky little runabout It would
be because he had breakdown. / sup
pose l must have looked what
thought. for Phyllis looked ut me in
quiringly.
WELL" she questioned primly. what
is 1t now? Don't you think 1t is worth
your while to enter that race"
1.-The prize Is worth 1t. Phyllis" said
I. looking straight into her eyes. Phyl-
lis blushed the sweetest rosy red. But
do you think the conditions are exactly
fairY'
Phyllis eyes twinkied
NO." she said, II don't: but. you
know. bcggars can't be choosers''
That settled 1t. would make tho
run anyhow.
"Will there be BOBBY prize award
ed?" asked
Phills shook her head. was seized
with bright idea.
You said you were going over your
SELF" ventured. Il ought at least to
have n consolation prize. Will you
make the trip with meT
Phyllis looked grave.
I'm afraid II Will look like favorit-
ism." said Phyllis, but guess can"
Thanks" said. with good mas
cot I'll stand better show"
Am I a good mascot?" asked Phyl-
lis.
May I never have betterr / re-
piled devoutly. I'm willing to take
chances on you for a good deal more
than a motor race"
Phyllis liked that. Really, l feel as II
l were quite clever ut times Then she
took the wind all out of me again.
The race will decide that" said she
briefly.
If the way fixed that runabout up
for the run had anything to do with 1t
felt sure ought to stand chance Mt
least. l got repair man TO look 1t
over, and then after ne was done
went over 1t myself and tapped every
nut and bolt. AS was coming home
saw Joe Haddon driving down the riv-
| er road
"All readyw said Phyllis as the clock
struck o the next morning. And In a
moment we had started the twenty
miles. We hustled down the road like
a monkey that had dropped its tail
through the slot and twisted 1t around
n trolley cable.
The cool November wind sent great
color up into Phyllis cheeks. and a
luxuriant golden lock fell loose and
swept across her cheek. I was making
up for any time we had or had not lost,
and I wondered II she wasn't bit
nervous at the harebrained pace.
'"Too fast. PhyllisT l questioned.
"Just little" she replied
pulled the lever open another notch.
and we could actually feel the machine
take fresh jump forward.
Phyllis clutched mt my arm.
"Oh"" she cried. with terrified lit
tie scream. Il meant to go slower"
Cant do IT," replied grimly.
There's too much Mt stake on this
race"
Phyllis looked ut me from the tail of
her eye.
IF we have spill well be half
killed" she pouted.
I'D have demonstrated my good
faith anyhow" retorted. you'd know
I'd done my best"
The runabout hit stone that lay at
the side Of the road. and I'm certain