Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-07-03

you brought the car uOW1, nal. can
make good use Of it this morning"
That's what 1 supposed" said the
boy. ''It seems very handy"
The lawyer looked at him curiously.
Ever run a car before?" he asked.
"No."
The lawyer whistled.
"They gave me six lessons before l
dared go alone"
"It behaved beautifully" said the
boy. He looked at the machine criti-
calIy. Its a good car" he added.
The lawyer laughed.
What do owe you, Hal?"
That's all right" replied the boy.
"It didn't take me more than a minute
or two to fix it. And Sis and had
a fine ride. Yes, and l picked up
lot of new information that I'm mighty
glad to get"
"How are you going back?"
John Edison is In town with his
two-seated wagon. He'll take us
back"
I'D be glad to take you back my
SELF" said the lawyer, ''but I'm due at
the court house in five minutes"
He looked back at the automobile
as he and Serena moved away. "Tn
have car like that some day." he
said.
"And you'll let me run it, won't you,
Hal?" Serena asked.
But the boy only laughed.
The next morning after her simple
home duties were finished the girl
started on a five-mile walk along the
highway that led to the town. She
was going to pay brief visit to her
Aunt Clara. She was a fine walker
and the distance didn't bother her.
Both the horses were busy, and some
how after that auto ride the thought
OF travelling behind a jogging farm
horse wasn't attractive. She much pre-
ferred to walk.
1t was a beautiful day, the road was
fine, the air was clear and cool. She
had covered at least half the distance
when she heard an automobile horn
down the roadway behind her. 1t was
very faint note anu when she looked
around she was surprised to see how
close the car war. 1t looked very much
like Sim Ashbrook's car, only finer and
brassier.
There was but one man In the car,
and his appearance at once held her
wondering attention. He was q stout
man with grizzled gray hair. His hat
had fallen off, strange blueish pallor
covered his face, he seemed to have
sunk down into his automobile coat
He was making an effort to slacken
the speed Of the car. As he drew up
beside the girl she ran forward.
as anything wrong? she asked.
Then she noticed the man was exhal-
ing his breath in queer little gasps.
Il am-very ill.," he family muir
INJURED. Il must get to town-to my
doctor-at once. Find somebody-to
run the car. Quick, quick!'
The girls keen gray eyes gave the
car a swift glance.
Il know of no one near here" she
said. She looked again at the sick
man and drew her breath sharply. 81
think l can run it myself"
Yes, yes" he murmured and with
an effort pushed himself along and
made room for her. She swiftly took
the vacant place and doing exactly as
she had seen Hal do started the car
1t gave her a strange thrill as the pow
erful machine responded to her call.
The eyes of the sick man were re
garding her anXiously.
Good girl" he murmured. You
know the way. Yes, yes, faster! It's
my heart. L thought 1 was better.
Faster! 1 should have brought my
doctor. 1 have no brandy-nothing
He Is waiting for meat the sanitar-
ium. You must-get therein time.
Ah-h." He gave a shuddering gasp and
seemed to sink still lower
But the girl did not look around. Her
eyes were on the highway ahead.
1t was a broad highway that led to
Lenox town, broad and straight and
smooth. Lucky it was for the girl tnat
neither curves nor hills menaced her.
If she could keep the car in the road
all might be well.
Her firm young hands gripped the
wheel, her keen eyes stared straight
ahead. She must not lose her nerve.
A life might depend on her courage.
"How far-is itY
LESS than five miles,"
For every minute less than ten
I'll give you $1,000.
His voice died away in a sobbing
gasp.
The girl added to the speed. The
car rocked from side to side as it
bounded forward. Serena's hat was
torn from It's fastenings. Her hair
was blown about her face. The rush
ing air hurt her eyes.
And now there was something in the
road far ahead. She sounded the horn
again and yet again. The team
swerved to the left. The driver was