Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1907-09-26
A MOTOR
RUNABOUT

AS long AZ you were getting one"
she said. why not get decent oneY''
but this Is decent. It's just NJ re-
liable as a bigger one. only smaller. II
will carry US anywhere"
THE Paysons. next door. have q
French machine. The Burts. on the
other side. a big four-cylinder. 40
horsepower. And they keep q chah'
feur. How shall we APPEAR"
Fine! Splendid! You walt and see'
It's all false pride"
The next day, when the trim little
runabout was delivered, Mrs. Wither'
by gazed at II silently for a long time
We'll. asked her husband. how ID
IT,"
Mrs. Witherby looked ut him 10
proachfully.
III you really want to know my
opinion" she said, its"
"Well?"
"Dinky!"
"Umph! Just like q woman. Full
Of vanity. Everything for appear
ance."
The next few day demonstrated be-
yond q doubt that there was a world
| uf pleasure concealed In the little car
At the end Of a week Witherby said:
Il have q business friend coming TO
| dine tomorrow evening. He's from
the West"
Very we'll! will have a nice din
ner."
Witherby fidgeted uneasily.
BY the way" he observed careless
~, with an elephantine attempt at In
difference, don't say anything to him
about our machine"
Mrs. Witherby opened her eyes.
why not?" she asked.
"Oh! a within Of mine It's hardly
worth while"
Now, my dear. tell me the truth"
We'll, II you must know, dear. ne
| has two or three big cars. and l
| thought didn't-that is"
"Ah! So you know how It 10. DO
you?"
Witherby blushed.
But he's a valuable customer. and
| in this case"
Don't say any more. ! understand
perfectly"
The next few weeks the Witherbys
were drawn together by silent bond
Of sympathy. Each had had expert
ences: each tacitly understood the
other. Under cover OF the darkness
they surreptitiously enjoyed their new
machine. They rode in side streets,
and sought the unfrequented byways.
| Il was a subject they never mentioned.
Every ride was like snatching fear
full joy.
All" said Bender. one morning at
| the station. as he slapped WitherDy
on the back. Il see you've Joined the
great majority. Didn't see you pun
| ing along in a runabout yesterday"
Witherby acknowledged the charge.
Nice little cars. those" said Ben
der. II keep one on hand myself as q
kind of supplement to my touring car.
BY the way, old man, what Ii your
carr"
That's it," said Witherby. with .
sudden squirt OF courage.
you have no Other?"
moi"
oh. Certainly. OF course: beg par
don. Nice little affairs-I see Jones
waving me-"
He was of. much to Witherby's re-
lief.
But II that gentleman had his
troubles. what must be thought OF
Mrs. Witherby's?
One day, in a moment Of forgetful.
ness. she attended meeting OF the
woman's club. Mrs. Linnet. just In
'front.' leaned over enthusiastically.
How do you like your little car,
my dear?"
VERY much"
"They are very nice. Since I've
seen you and your husband In one, I'm
really thinking Of following your ex-
ample. Just for myself, you know.
Our big one is 80 unwieldly. and they
say a child can manage one like yours.
You haven't been far, have your"
"Oh, no"
They're not intended for that, OF
course; but for running around In they
must be splendid. fairly envy you"
This, and more.
The next morning Mrs. Witherby
rose, pale and determined. She spent
the morning in town, getting together
all her available resources. She went
| TO her bank, to her safe deposit; she
even visited her father. Armed with
the results OF her work she forthwith
| purchased the largest. most Luxurious
automobile she could find. and ordered
Il delivered at the earliest possible
moment Then she calmly waited for
her husband.
That gentleman came home q tribe
later than usual. He hurried through
the door.
Hal" he exclaimed. Glad you're
home. It's late, but let's 60 out for q
suin. Who cares? We've been foolish
about our dinky little motor car.
Come. dear, I'll tune her up"
Mrs. witherby laughed gayly.
IAN right" she said, TN do IT. ]