Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-08-02
To the Victor
The Spells
BY Hubert Mclean Johnston
Copyright. 1906.
By Hubert Mclean Johnston

Jack" said Phyllis demurely. Il
wish you would bring me drink of
water. Dancing always makes me SO
thirsty"
Phyllis has changed the subject ev-
cry time just about the same way. |
knew there was no use arguing so
went for the water Only / brought
lemonade instead.
But when fellow comes back with
the lemonade after such an incident as
that and finds another chap holding the
ladys hand and his other arm hover
ing suspiciously along the back of the
chair think he should feel jolly well
sore. l know / did. AS for Joe Had
den. he looked bored when / came In
and half swore.
Il beg pardon" said l. III I'm In.
truding''-
Phyllis eyes twlnkled, and l knew
she was laughing at 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
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
took Phyllis into supper.
Accept him, Phyllis growled sur.
lily.
Not yet" said Phyllis.
Going TOT" / questioned in the same
tone.
Phyllis brows met In a perplexed
frown. She appeared to be bordering
the problem very deeply.
I've thought OF way to settle II be-
tween you," she condescended TO reply
at length. Tomorrow morning I'm go
ing up to Groyehurst Hall. and you and
Joe are TO run race up there In your
autos. The one who gets there first
will--will win the race" finished Phyl-
lis lameiy.
knew what that meant. IL Had
don's touring car wouldn't be able to
beat my dlnky little runabout il would
be because he had breakdown. sup
pose | must have looked what |
thought, for Phyllis looked at me in
quiringly.
Well" she questioned prlmly. 'what
is it now? Don't You think 1t is worth
your while to enter that racer
THE prize is worth il. Phyllis" said
l, looking straight into her eyes. Phyl-
lis blushed the sweetest rosy red But
do you think the conditions are exactly
fairT'
Phyllis eyes twinkled
NO" she said, II don't; but. you
know. beggars can't be choosers."
That settled II. would make the
run anyhow.
"WiIl there be a BOBBY prize award
edTr ! asked
PhiIlls shook her head. / was seized
with bright idea.
You said you were going over your
self" / ventured II ought at least TO
have a consolation prize. win you
make the trip with me?'
Phyllis looked grave.
I'm afraid IL will look like favorlt-
Ism," said Phyllis, but guess can"
Thanks" said. with a good mas
cot I'll stand better show"
Am a good mascotT" asked Phyl-
lis.
May I never have q betterw i re-
piled deyoutly. I'm willing to take
chances on you for Il good deal more
than a motor race"
Phyllis liked that. Really. feel as IL
/ were quite clever Mt 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 a chance at
least. / got a repair man to look 1t
| over, and then after he was done
went over 1t myself and tapped every
nut and bolt. AS was coming home l
saw Joe Haddon driving down the riv-
err 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 Ike
a monkey that had dropped its tail
| through the slot and twisted 1t around
a trolley cable.
The cool November wind senH great
color up into Phyllis cheeks, and q
luxuriant golden lock fell loose and
swept across her cheek. / was making
up for any time we had or had not lost,
| and / wondered IL she wasn't a bit
nervous at the harebrained pace.
''Too fast, Phyllisp / questioned.
"Just little" she replied.
pulled the lever open another notch.
and we could actually feel the machine
take fresh jump forward.
| Phyllis clutched at my arm.
"oh!" she cried. with a terrified 1T
tie scream. II meant to go slower"
Cant do It." I replied grimly.
There's too much at stake on this