The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-09-21

conceded finally. II guess maybe you re
no worse than some of the rest -
At this handsome admission, Maude's
mirth broke forth again irrepressibly But
Phoebe face of stormy wrath warned her
that she must not find the situation too
amusing. She grew sedate. Perhaps
this ridiculous blunder might have some
serious result. She would be grave
"Mr. Doolittle, she said, seriously, "by
and by you will be very sorry for the mis-
take you are making l do you the favor
to believe it mistake and not piece of
wanton-"
"Of course it is = cried Phoebe. ''Of
course, it's wanton outrage =
''At any rate, Phoebe dear, let us not
protest any more. The matter will soon
be settled-for the present OF course,
afterward, Mr.. Doolittle will have to meet
claims for damages
81 ain t worrying about them mite,
Mr.. Doolittle cheerfully assured them.
''How do you know it will soon be
over?' cried Phoebe "How do you
know where this this person-is driving
us? How do you know what he means to
do with us--what confederates he has
How can you tell that the Home and the
runaways he pretends to mistake us for
ever existed? l tell you, Maude, and
you, Mr. Doolittle, shall scream for help
the very first instant | see a human be-
ing
$50 do, advised Mr.. Doolittle phleg-
matically, but beating his animal to great
er speed. $50 do. Anybody Il help me
to return you where you belong if there's
any trouble. -
Dragged off p Phoebe continued i'm
aginatively. ''Drugged, robbed, mur-
dered-oh, the insolence of it p
Mr. Doolittle shook his head, laughed
softly as a tribute to histrionic display,
and laid the whip about the fanks of his
mare. The sooner he got rid of this
young termagant the better He could
hear the painting of her angry breath be-
hind him, and Maude's spasmodic half
laugh. Then there came the sound of
hoofs ahead If the young spitfre did
tIl 10 nldkt lIOuule-
Through the mist of her enraged tears
Phoebe beheld horseman cantering
toward them.
II will, Maude; will, she whispered
fercely. ''I viii not submit to this. =
She stood up. Mr.. Doolittle speeded
his beast until the old carriage fairly
swayed. But Phoebe grasped the back
of the seat before her, and drew in a deep
breath. Then, when they were almost at
the meeting place, her call rent the clear
air Help help help r
''Well, if you want scene, have it 7
grumbled Mr. Doolittle 81 reckon can
explain the situation to that young man.
He slowed down, and the horseman
swerved toward them
The exasperated president of the Sped
well Circuit Telephone Company opened
his lips to explain: but he said nothing,
though his jawz fell wider apart. For he
heard:
phoebe p
David r.
And then, in duet ''What are you do
ing here ?"
Mr.. White was the first to speak. His
relatives at the Bluebell Iun might have
marveled to hear him. ''We all came
down, he said, lin the machine to Sped
well over the hill route this morning;
Geoffrey wanted to test its speed on the
high grades, and Paula thought it would
be Il good Joke to be waiting for YOU at
the inn. And I-oh, have just ridden
around to put in the time until you
How do you do, Mrs. Howland? Beg
your pardon. Didn't see you. Now
what does this mean? Why were you
calling for help?'
Mr.. DoOlittle felt that it was incumbent
upon him to reply to this, and he did.
cit looks ike made little mistake, -
he admitted in rueful peroration when he
had explained. ''But don't feel none
to blame l told the superintendent on
the telephone just what they looked like
a red haired one and a sort of hop-o'
my-thumb cne with limp.
The Home for Incorrigible Girlsp'
David laughed again and again.
Really, David, said Phoebe, little
pettishly, lit seems to me that you've
rather childish sense of humor.
Her hand, bare and freckled, lay on the
iron rim of the seat. There was threat
ening of tears in her annoyed voice David
looked at her Then he put his hand
upon hers His heart beat hard against
a garden glove that was foolishly lying
upon it. Phoebe raised her eyes, and the
threatened tears brimmed over, but they
were certainly not of annoyance. They
we're Of relief and surrender.
Mrs. Rowland, he cried, suddenly
awakening to the fact of her and her
amused eyes, congratulate me-
''No, congratulate me, whispered
Phoebe.
"Well, so long as no one don cOngrat-
ulate me, | reckon | can stand it, OBJ
served Mr.. Doolittle, turning his horses
head toward Spedwell