Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-05

fOrtably In the rear seat.
The day was hot and sultry and the cur
rent Of air stirred by the onward rush OF
the machine came with comforting touch
to the three motorists. who had thrown
aside caps and busters. Round and round
old Indian Head they climbed, now over
smooth stretches Of road, now under Ieaiy
arbors of|faintly futtering leaves. On the
summit they paused and studied the two
valleys spread out before them. the quiet
farms in the lowlands, the homes OF mil
lionaires. from faddish farms to castle-hke
cottages the Inn, perched on a most
picturesque ledge, and last the railway
cleaning in the hot afternoon sunlight like
two parallel threads of molten silver, fol-
lowing the river through the valley.
II don't like the looks of that cloud In
the west" said young Coppinger, indicating
a brownish, thick haze.
Nonsense" replied Miss Bonham, with
light laugh; ''if you want to see the real
thing in clouds come to Iowa, where you
never can tell whether a cloud means thun-
der storm or cyclone.
That's thunder, all right, and we've an
ugly run before us, you know, with no
chance for scorching."
Miss Bonham leaned back luxuriousiy ana
Toasted her eyes on the beautiful landscape.
TN back this machine against any storm.
But just to make you feel more comfort
able I'll start back directly you or Billy
climb up that bank and gather great arm
full of laurel for your mother She mas
been wanting some and here's your chance
to get it:'
Even as she spoke the two young men
sprang from the car and started up the en-
bankment, and once more she turned TO
look at the oncoming cloud. Then she
swung round, for crash as OF rolllng
stones came from the direction of the bank.
ANY hurt?" she called after an In
slant of silence
No; all right in a minute came back IN
Loppingers voice, but the silence which en-
sued was not reassuring Suddenly 1t was
broken by the crash of underbrush. and
Billy white and frightened, stumbled to-
ward the machine.
"Coppinger fell-rock loosened and start
ed the gravel-he landed on broken bot
tle-and-we can't stop the bleeding"
Setting the brake hard. Mabel sprang
from the car and followed her brother to
the spot where Coppinger sat- white to the
lips, and vainly striving to stem the bright
red jet which spouted up from his wrist.
sit perfectly still. Dick" commanded
Mabel in tones almost harsh. BILLY, sive
me your knife"
Then turning her back, she slit Off the
ruffie of her stout mohair petticoat, grab
bed stone and a stout stick and knelt
down beside the fainting man. AS she gave
the improvised tourniquet a final twist
something like a sob rose to her lips, for
Coppinger fell in limp and lifeless heap
at her feet.
BILLY, run quick-in the hamper-there's
brandy" y
When Coppinger revived the sky was
overcast the leaves murmured together in
sudden discomfort and distant rumble
seemed to bring the man to sitting posi-
ton.
You can't stay up in this mountain in
thunder Storm he said, resolutely, If
family. Here. Billy. give me your arm.
and We'll get back to the machine"
Lie still" said the girl sharply, and she
motioned toward Coppinger's feet Billy
nodded understandingly. Together the two
young people stopped suddenly and lifted
the tail, straight figure.
Don't struggle" said Mabel, sternly.
Remember, it's fight for your life now"
Mrs. Coppinger, clad in a most becoming
neglige, stepped through the French win
dow upon the upper piazza of the Inn The
carryall was discharging Its full compile
ment of passengers. There were several
pretty girls. Mrs. Coppinger viewed with
approval a certain slender, willowy figure,
topped by wavy blonde hair. But her
glimpse was brief, for the storm was about
to break the horses paved the ground ner-
vously, and the new arrivals were obviously
anxious to gain the shelter of the piazza.
A vivid flash of lightning cleft the cloud
draped sky, and Mrs. Coppinger ran into
her ROOM closed the window and turned on
the electric light. From childhood she had
held electric storms In great fear. Now
she flung herself face downward on her
couch. but even here the lightnings glare
reached her. Suddenly she forgot her per-
sonal fear and almost sprang to her feet.
Dick? Where was he? Somewhere on the
mountains, with the added danger of gas
oline motor surrounding him. She paced
the floor, wringing her hands. and when an
excited hand shook the knob of her door
she fairly staggered to fling 1t open.
oh Mrs. COppinger did you see them %
cried the younger Mrs. Leighton, taking
Mrs. Coppinger's trembling hands in hers.
The girl is unexpectedly crazy"
See whom-who is crazy"
Miss Bonham-just after the storm
hrDRp-li0Dt Ilpm2'
Tell me, quick" shrieked the older wo-
man, shaking her callef by the shoulder.
In the motor car-Miss Bonham and her
brother and Dick, tearing like mad through
the storm. straight past the hotel. Do you
suppose she has lost control of the ma
chine Why didn't they turn in here?"
The news had spread through the hotel
like tongue of flame, and in a moment
Mrs. Coppinger was surrounded by a score
of semi-hysterical women. Into this circle
broke Nanny arms akimbo, eyes flash
ing.
'Wot you all say bout Miss Mabers kill
in Massa Dick? Hab you all done gone
crazy? Ef Miss Mabel done gone pas dis
var hotel she he'd a reason fer ct Doan
you let EN- skeer you, Mis- Coppinger. Dey
Mabel"
She took the lettering figure of Dicks
mother in her arms and carried 1t to the
couch. The storm broke as suddenly as II
had gathered. and brilliant sunshine
stTeamed into the room. Then almost as
II in confirmation Of her assertions came
Mr. Dunno, saying that Dick had tele-
phoncd from the village that they We're all
sale. They had been caught in the storm
but were none the worse for the expe-
rience. They would return to the hotel in
time for dinner.
Nevertheless certain air of mystery
hung over the entire affair." and though
Mrs. Coppinger appeared on the pjaZZa
arrayed for dinner and outwardly calm
not resentment burned in her heart AS
she sat in her favorite corner. gently fend-
ing questions. the slender willowy figure
she had noted that afternoon among the
rivals passed before her approving ewes
Ihen, with the sudden triumph of homes
reaized, Mrs. Coppinger saw the girl hest
tate an instant, and cross the piazza to
drop gracefully into the wicker chair with
the conVent-embroidered pillows
MRS. Coppinger had just decided that here
was weapon which she could turn against
the Objectionable young woman from Iowa
when her attention was distracted bv
connection near the entrance Miss Bon
hams car slowed up at the foot of the
steps The girl held firm hand on the
lever, and her brother sat beside her. In
the rear were young Coppinger and man
MRS Coppinger nervously recognized as the
village physician, DR.. Gregory. With the
air OF one accustomed to command. he
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