The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-08-09
To the Victor
The Spells
By Hubert Mclean Johnston
Copyright, 1905,
bu Hubert Mclean Johnston

When 1 got Phyllis alone In the con-
servatory l promptly proposed to her
again. Fact is / wouldn't have come
to the ball at all IL it hadn't been that I
intended to try again to win her.
Jack" said Phyllis demurely, 81
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 I
went for the water. Only 1 brought
lemonade instead.
But when fellow comes back with
the lemonade after such an incident as
that and finds another chap holding the
lady's hand and his other arm hover
ing suspiciously along the back Of the
chair think he should feel jolly we'll
SORE l know l did. AS for Joe Had
den, he looked bored when l came in
and half swOre.
II beg pardon" said 1. IF I'm In
truding'-
Phyllis eyes twinkled, and knew
she was laughing at me.
Just then Dawcy Graham came In.
This one is ours, Phyllis" said he,
holding up his card; 1.-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.
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?" questioned in the same
tone.
! Phyllis brows met in a perplexed
frown. She appeared to be bordering
the problem very deeply.
1--WE thought of way to settle 1t be-
tween you," she cOndescended to reply
at length. Tomorrow morning I'm 60
ing up to Grovehurst 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 lamely.
knew what that meant. If Had
don's touring car wouldn't be able to
beat my dinky little runabout 1t would
be because he had a breakdown. L sup
pose l must have looked what l
thought, for Phyllis looked at me in
Quiringly.
"Well," she questioned primly, what
is it now? Don't you think it is worth
your while to enter that raceY'
1.-THE prize is worth it, Phyllis" said
l, looking straight into her eyes. Phyl-
lis blushed the sweetest rosy red. But
do you think the conditions are exactly
fairY'
Phyllis eyes twinkled. - =
"No," she said, II don't; but, you
know, beggars can't be choosers."
That settled it. I would make the
run anyhow.
"Will there be BOBBY prize award
ed ?" asked.
Phillis shook her head. 1 was seized
with a bright idea.
You said you were going over your
SELF" ventured. II ought at least to
have a consolation prize. Will you
make the trip with meT
Phyllis looked grave.
Pm afraid it will look like favOrit-
lsm," said Phyllis, "but guess l can"
Thanks" said. with good mas
cot I'll stand a better show"
Am a good mascot?" asked Phyl-
lis.
MAY l never have a betterv' l re-
piled devoutly. I'm willing to take
chances on you for a good deal more
than a motor race"
Phyllis liked that. Really, feel as If
were quite clever at times. Then she
took the wind all out of me again.
'The race will decide that" said she
briefly. 80
II Tie way i. liked that runabout up
for the run had anything to do with it
l felt sure ought to stand chance at
least. l got a repair man to look it
over, and then after he was done /
went over it 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 9 the next morning. And In a
moment we had started the twenty
miles. We hustled down the road like
monkey that had dropped its tail
through the slot and twisted it around
a trolley cable.
The cool November wind sent a great
color up into Phyllis cheeks, and a
luxuriant golden lock fell loose .and
swept across her cheek. was making
up for any time we had or had not lost,
and wondered If she wasn't a bit
nervous at the harebrained pace
'"Too fast, Phyllis" 1 questioned.
"Just little" she replied.
e pulled the lever open another notch,
and we could actually feel the machine
take a fresh jump forward.
Phyllis clutched at my arm.
ooh" she cried, with a terrified lit
tie scream. II meant to go slower"
Cant do It," replied grimly.
There's too much at stake on this
race"
r, Phyllis looked at me from the tail Of
her eye.
'Tf we have a spill wen be half
killed." he>pouted.
"Pd have demonstrated my good
faith anyhow" retorted. YOU'D know
I'd done my best"
The runabout hit stone that lay at
lhe side Of the road, and I'm certain |
the front wheel travelled fifty feet De-
fore it hit the dust again.
''Oh,"" gasped Phyllis again, do be |
careful, Jack, or We'll be killedw
The machine was already going its |
limit or would have opened it some |
more. made the pretense Of putting |
on more speedss'FI was having my re-
Venge. r.
I'm being careful. / said as well |
as 4 could for the wind, "but I've SIM
ply got to make it Do you see Joe be-
hind RIO 9ss rsEF IT,, Ns~e.aEgs Gs'tEt
q: 81