The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-11
An Automobile
Ride
[Origtnal.1

[Originall
The Mardi Gras masked ball was al
its height. An automobile stood in
front Of the house, and presently the
door opened, letting out half a dozen
jewellers, the men drawing on over
coats, the women wraps. Noisily they
descended the steps and. climbing into
the automobile, covered themselves
with fur robes; then one Of the men
took the chauffeur's seat, and they
whirled away.
They were a party Of artists, stu
dents, models and others from the Lat
In quarter in Paris who had been at
tending the Mabille Garden and, as the
dance was about to break up, preferred
to continue their revelry in an automO-
bile ride. The men were Felix Chabu-
laix, Antoine de Ware and Victor Ger
maine; the women, or, rather, the girls.
Julie Ernst, Madeline lie Croix and
Marie de Tour Chabulaix was acting
as chauffeur, with Julie Ernst beside
him; then came De Ware and Made
line lie Croix, while the hindmost
seat was occupied by Victor Germaine
and Marie de Tour. Leaving the gar
den, they crossed the Seine and, enter
ing the Place de la Concorde, went up
the broad avenue Of the Champs
Elysees. After passing the Arc de
Triomphe they turned into the Bots de
= ~ rho
ing and still some hours before day
light. The weather was cold, and they
made frequent stops to refresh them
selves.
One Of the party was out Of her ele-
ment. This was Marie de Tour, a
young girl from the provinces. Her
family had sunk from comparative af-
fuence to poverty, and she had recent
ly come to Paris to study art. She had
no knowledge of Paris or Paris GUS
toms and had taken up with these COM
panions simply because she CHANGED to
be thrown with them. She did not real
iZe that they We're not safe associates
for pure young girl. The ball she had
attended was something very strange
to her, and the mad pace they were go
ing in the automobile and their shouts
and songs were discOrdant to her. She
did not drink wine or join in the shout
ing and singing. Gradually she began
to feel an ineXpressible dread.
ASK him not to go so fast" she said
to her companion.
Il oh fn
err shouted Germaine, with laugh.
"Ah, we'll, she shall have her way"
And the speed was increased.
Marie chung to the back Of the seat
before her in terror. She had never
ridden so fast in her life, not even in a
railway train, for she had but seldom
been on the rails and then only in the
slow country way trains.
Then her companion noticed that she
was casting frightened glances to the
rear.
DO you fear that another automobile
coming more rapidly than ours will run
into us?" Then he shouted to the chauf
feur that Mile de Tour feared a COLI
sion from the rear and could only be re-
assured by going faster.
These sallies Of her chevalier were
much enjoyed by the rest Of the party,
who shouted and laughed at them and
urged the chauffeur to drive the ma
chine faster. Marie kept casting her
frightened glances behind. and every
time she did so chill passed over her.
What are you looking at?" asked
Germaine
these lights of the city are so
strange, so fantastic. Every time we
pass enc of them it seems to light up
something behind us. Sometimes 1t
looks like fluttering white sheet; then
there is glittering as Of polished
steel"
Felix" called Germaine, 'Mlle.
de Tour is frightened at the street
lamps. Go where it Is dark
There was more laughter at this, and
presently Chabulaix turned into dark
street Still Marie kept looking back.
do you see your white sheet nOww
asked Germaine.
Marie gave another look to the rear
before answering and when she turn
ed again covered her face with her
hands, her body shaking convulsively.
Her companion looked back and, see
ing nothing unusual, exclaimed:
You silly mouse! What are you
shivering about? First you are afraid
Of the lights, then Of the dark. Mel
Their seems to please you"
Nov 1t is blackv' she gasped.
What Is black?"
"And its eyes-oh, its eyes! They are
cavernsv
tut, tut, little girl! You need a