The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-02

horses. Hates machines. Had me lined for speeding only last week. Going to get even if if takes hundred years"
 The burr and hum of the driving car drowned all other sounds; the wind of the open road roared in our ears, and through the interlacing of the hedge l seemed to glimpse the coming of another vehicle.
 ",Ware carriagep' I yelled in Carpen- ters ear, but yelled too late. A buggy driven at a furious pace shot down a driveway through a gap in the hedge, turned on two wheels and swung Tn In front of us Then we came from behind like a devouring demon, slipped unoer the rear axel, lifted that buggy like navy pitching coal and turned it neatly over on top of the horse.
 Shut off reversed and snarling indig- nant protest, the Cough Drop stopped within her length Our forward deck, so to speak, was buried under conglomera- ton of wheels, harness, buggy-top and so forth, whence issued shrieks in lofty treble and oaths in handsome bass.
 My Godr groaned Carpenter, there a woman in it." and we leaped out
 The horse recovered his feet and passed away before us to the accompaniment or rending wood Most of the buggy went with him. and a red gravel man, still clinging to the reins, uprose from the re- mainder and was drawn protesting after.
 Carpenter regained his composure and began shouting orders.
 "Grab that top," he called to me, she's under here"
 Together we raised the wreck and red gravel lady came forth on my side. She looked wildly around.
 "Where's Edward?" she cried. ''Where is he? Is he killed?"
 Madam" began soothingly, "this Is very unfortunate"
 So far I got when the lady sat Imply down on the edge of the ditch as though she were faint. Carpenter tore round to our side of the wreck with contempt in his eye.
 ..Foolr' he growled, and felt he meant me and not the lady.
 Well, you try" I said right gladly.
 Hes all right" said Carpenter He's gone after the horse. Now, don't be alarmed"
 "oh," said the girl, breathing deep. Truly? You wouldn't deceive me? He isn't hurt?'
 He just went over the top of that hill, doing the mile in about four-seventeen," said Carpenter carefully. NO, he ism t hurt"
 The girl arranged her hair, produced a handkerchief and began searching for her features in the dust and gravel. As they emerged, my original estimate was amply confirmed She surveyed the wreck with a look of anguish.
 "Oh. how could your she cried. When we need it so badly"
 Did you?" said Carpenter "Pm aw- fully sorry. Accidents, you know, will-''
 "They're sure to overtake us now" said the girl. She caught herself stammered and blushed with fierce embarrassment looking up the hill meanwhile, appar- ently craving the support of Edward 'I mean" she began.
 Exactly said Carpenter, smiling like godfather. Maybe the Cough Dror will do as well. I'll see how smashed uI she is," and he backed the car out from the wreck and retired beneath its belly lying on his shoulder blades in the road
 On the brow of the hill ahead appeared the red gravel man, sans horse, sans bug gy and I went to meet him and appease his righteous wrath. He appeared young.
 'Is she hurt" he snapped at me like a madman.
 "Not in the least" replied.
 "Thank Godl" he said fervently, and smiling a fatuous smile, hastened toward her.
 What is it? asked Carpenter, "Ap. pendicits?"
 "Top speed clutch busted" said Carpen. ter, inelegantly, and spat out a moutnfu of train oil
 The red gravel man touched me on the arm.
 "Ill have to ask you to give us lift tc Castleton.' he said coolly. This is really your fault, and it's devilish important you know"
 "Yes," I said. '1 know" He really was young, and he blushed through the gravel like a girl. You sec" he said, tits all right. We're both of age, and there's really no objec- tion They think we're too young to KNOW our minds. The old gentleman's a decent enough sort, but set in his ways. I've no doubt he's after us by now, and Betty Bell has done two-fourteen to sulky." "Al1 right" I assured him. "The Cough Drop has done much better than tnat I'm sure. We're tinkering her up now. The top of the clutch speed is out of whack, or something But it will be all right
 The red gravel man returned to his place by the girl, and I went over osteu- sibly to encourage Carpenter. Its thoroughbred to beat,"I said. Carpenter groaned.
 'Ten per's our limit now" he said.
 '"rhen the sooner we up anchor aud fan the breeze the better" urged. IFS good ten miles" Any hlls?' he asked, hauling on nut,