The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-19
CHAUFFEUR PRO FEM.
By Mary W. Mount.

| There was only one electric hanson in the railway station and toward this Ethel Bristow ran with unseem- ly haste. It was imperative that she should not lose a moments time, for she was to act as bridesmaid at we'd ding within an hour. She had missed an earlier train and no one had ap- peared to meet her at this one.
 For the first time in her dignified young ladyhood she was left to shift for herself and make what haste she could.
 She sprang into the hanson. No-Fifth avenue, and go as 1ast as you can." she ordered breathlessly. Then shegave Q gasp and stared with bewildered eyes at the chauffeur
 He had helped her into the hanson and stood beside it.
 Tt Is not safe. madam. to take this hanson to-day" he remonstrated There is strike and shall probably be attacked as soon as l get out on the street" His voice was high and peculiar.
 face. The puzzled look deepened in her eyes.
 But I must take 1t. I must. It Is impossible for me to wait one minute You have got to get me uptown in fifteen minutes" she insisted. l He wavered.
 Hurry" she urged. You must take me. The strikers will not dare attack a woman"
 It had been his own thought. He swung himself into the drivers seat and glided swiftly out into the street.
 | Ethel noticed that uniformed men on bycles rode beside the hanson. She leaned back. pant1ng from hurry and l 1a~. r{ V forehead. What a resemblance" she exclaimed to herself. What a wonder full resemblance! If 1t hadn't been for his squeaky voice. I would be certain that man is Maxwell Caresford."
 She forgot about the danger of which the chauffeur had warned her-forget the wedding for which she must dress assured the bride that she would be present. She left herself gliding to- ward her destination with unusual speed through the crowded street. Her mind became filled with painful recollections of that quarrel with Cares- ford. when she had told him that she | hoped never to see him again. How he had loved her! She had denied her self thought of that until this moment when the memory of his love clamor- ed to be heard. Through all her anger and pride over the foolish quar- rel which had separated them ran the l conviction that the fault had been hers. She had been all the harder upon him because she had felt that ha was right and she was wrong in the matter of the quarrel He had been dignified and pained. and she had been. oh. so unreasonable and angry! She flushed warmly at the recollection of her words. If only hadn't been SO very final" she murmured. Then she sighed. "Ah. well. he will marry some girl in his English home who will suit him bet ter than I ever could. I'm too quick | tempered" she admitted. contritely. still. it seems to me that If he loved me as much as he protested he did. he would have come over and tried to make up." She felt aggrieved. CrashE
 Ethal started up with a little shriek. Stones and bricks rained upon the top of the hanson. Tells and curses hor- rified her.
 The chauffeur put on more speed but the attacking strikers kept up with him. They blocked the street He l opened the trap door:
 when I tell you" he commanded hur- riedly
 He put on the brake Shame! To atack a woman! he hundred at the crowd. Let the lady out and then settle with me. Make way for the lady"
 He brought the hanson to the curb The strikers held back.
 ''Yes. let the lady out!" called their leader
 Get out at once" ordered the chauf- feur through the trapdoor. for the girl had made no move to descend. Her face was blanched but her frightened eyes were fixed upon a bloody gash on the chauffeur's head, which she could see through the trap. and not on the surly mob around them. The chauf- feur had forgotten his high, peculiar voice. His tones were deep and full. She recognized Caresford even in the uniform of the chauffeur. Get out, I implore you" he beg ged. '1 can't hold these williams back any longer. You will be safe. and, l can escape he added reading protest in her eyes
 Do you think I will leave you id danger" she cried, reproachfully.
 Joy flashed in his eyes
 If you are safe. I can take care of myself. Get out at once. insist" he urged.
 Why don't she get outr' yelled the hurt her.
 If she don't hurry herself we won't wait. threatened a growing voice.
 Ethefs temper flared up. She leaned forward, her eyes blazed at the scawl- ing faces about her
 'Cowards!" she cried. How dare you attack a woman!"
 Her indignant scorn of them produc- ed a sensation. Some of the men slunk away; some laughed; others remon- strated Nobody wants to hurt you,"
 Caresford's alarmed tones through the trap besought her to be silent
 T dare not leave this seat to help you" he said, they would smash the hanson to atoms"
 Police had struggled with the mob which Caresford's harangue and Ethel's unexpected denunciation had restrain ed Tor the moment. At this instant a way opened among the strikers. Caresford dashed the hanson through 1t. So unexpected was his move that unconsciously the crowd made way for him. Bruised and bleeding, he rushed the hanson toward its destination. Both strikers and police were left far behind
 The trap opened and an anxious. ap- pealing face pecred up at the chauffeur
 Are you terribly hurt?" asked a ten der, woe-begone voice.
 Just few scratches that a day or SO will heal" came the cheerful reply
 Are you very angry with me?" re- stunned the appealing voice below the trap.
 How could be angry with the dearest bravest girl In the world?" said the voice above 1t.