The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-30
By Hubert Mclean Johnston

THANK you, Jack" said Phyllis as
she drank the lemonade.
went down to the smoking room for
a cigarette to steady my nerves 1
don't know and for that matter don't
care what Joe did.
However, l had the better of him, for
took Phyllis into supper
Accept him, Phyllis growled sur
lily.
Not yet" said Phyllis
Going TOT" 1 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 it be-
tween you,' she condescended to reply
at length. Tomorrow morning I'm go
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.
l knew what that meant If Had
don's touring car wouldn't be able to
beat my dinky little runabout it would
be because he had breakdown. l sup
pose 1 must have looked what l
thought, for Phyllis looked at me in
quiringly.
Well" she questioned prlmly, what
Is it now? Don't you think it Is worth
your while to enter that racer"
"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
fair?"
Phyllis eyes twinkled.
NO." she said, 81 don't; but, you
know, beggars can't be choosers."
That settled it. 1 would make the
run anyhow.
"Will there be BOBBY prize award
edY' asked
Phillis shook her head. 1 was seized
with bright idea.
you said you were going over your
SELF" l ventured. 81 ought at least to
have a consolation prize. VIII you
make the trip with me?'
Phyllis looked grave.
''Pm afraid it will look like favorit-
ISM" said Phyllis, "but 1 guess l can"
Thanks" 1 said. with good mas
cot I'll stand a better show"
Am l good mascot?' asked Phyl-
lis.
May never have betterp' / re-
piled devoutly. "I'm willing to take
chances on you for good deal more
than motor race"
Phyllis liked that. Really, 1 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.
If the way 1 fixed that runabout up
for the run had anything to do with it
felt sure l ought to stand chance at
least. | got a repair man to look it
over, and then after he was done 1
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 8 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 it around
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. l was making
nm FOR apv +ipoo xxyo bod or bod not Ioe+
and l wondered If she wasn't bit
nervous at the harebrained pace.
TOO fast, PhyllisY 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 at my arm.
"Ohr she cried, with a terrified lit
tie scream. 81 meant to go slower"
Cant do it." replied grimly.
There's 700 much at stake on this
race"
Phyllis looked at me from the tail Of
her eye.
IF we have a spill we'll be half
killed" she ported
"Pd have demonstrated my good
faith anyhow" retorted. You'd know
I'd done my best"
The runabout hit a stone that lay at
the side Of the road, and I'm certain
the front wheel Travelled fifty feet be-
fore it hit the dust again.
ooh" gasped Phyllis again, do be
careful, Jack, or We'll be killedp'
The machine was already going its
limit or l would have opened it some
more. l made the pretense of putting
on more speed. was having my re-
venge.
I'm being careful" l said as well
as l could for the wind, "but I've sim
ply got to make 1t. Do you see Joe be-
hind us?'
Phyllis could not see him.
There are no auto tracks ahead" I
observed. "If he's anywhere he must
be back of u.s."
l sized up the track ahead and turn
ed to look back. There was an auto
behind us.
Phyllis" 1 murmured reproachfully, |
you said you couldn't see any one"
That's not joe" said Phyllis, with
conviction
How do you know?' I ,wked. IT'S
a yellow car, and his is the only yellow
touring car around here
81 don't care" persisted Phyllis; '1t's
not Joe Haddon. So therew
We'll take no chances" 1 said mali
ciously. ut may be- You weren't even
able to see an auto when you looked
the first time"
''Do you think I'm deliberately lying
to help Joe?" asked Phyllis Jelly.
NO" l answered, but the issue is
too important to trust to such poor eye
sight"
''You gooser' said Phyllis irreverent-
ly.
The puff puff of the big machine was
close behind us now, and 1 would have |
given worlds to have looked around
and to see who was in it, but the risk
was too great. Another mile and we