The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1907-02-13
The Woman
Or the Car
BY Elliot Walker
Copyright, 1908, by Homer Sprague

Ing firmness.
mo-" he declared decidedly; Il &C.
eommodate people here, not automo-
biles. First, no shelter for the ma
chine; second, l won't have one round
since my dog was run over; third.
there's no use of talking. Better go
along"
In the sudden darkness of the sum-
mer twilight came a binding fash,
disclosing more clearly the occupants
Of the big touring car-the chauffeur,
Eesticulating angrily; two other scowl-
ing men, a woman and child.
With a rush Of wind the storm broke
A deafening thunderclap shook the
earth. The rain, almost horizontal in
the flying air, drove deluge Of great
PROPS under the hastily arranged COW
ers
I'm going to get outp' shrilled a
small scared voice. 81 want to be in
house! Mamma, conner
A tall figure leaped from the piazza
Of the little hotel, showed Ladd aside
and held out a pair of shirt sleeved
arms.
"You shall. baby!' he shouted. "It's
a COMPOUNDED shame! You, too, mad
am! Let the men take care of them
selves. Hurry, or you'll be drenched"
"Look outr' cried the mother sharply.
Tor the child had jumped recklessly.
"Thank you, sir. l feared she would
fall. Yes, l think it Is best. I'll be
right in"
She fumbled for a bag, spoke rapid
" to one of her companions and sprang
from the step unassisted to run up the
short path after the uncoated figure,
Vtriding swiftly, with the little girl
clinging to his neck.
Ladds loud voice came to her ears
above the din.
you're all welcome, l say. I'll bed
and feed the crowd, but that pesky ma
chine can't lodge at my place. No,
gents. Sorry, but I've sworn to pass
EN- along"
"a fine specimen you are to run
hotel" scolded the man by the driver.
Its my house," retorted Laid.
"Well, keep 1t and be hanged! l
wouldn't put my head under such a
roof. Well be here in the morning, old
curmudgeon. Take care of Mrs. Dix
on. Push her along, Henri. Never
mind speed limits"
A few rattles, a dozen snorting gasps
and the car dashed away through the
mud. -..
Mr.. Laid, bareheaded and dripping,
gazed after it with satisfied grin.
"Too bad TO break up party" he
4 grunted. This storm will last a good
hour. They'll get a nice twenty mile
trip to Jepworth splashing soft dirt.
Well I've got two guests, anyhow, and
tomorrow make my third nick on old
Hanks tombstone"
He chuckled his way into the barn.
-
Lois Dixon sat In the dining room.
small apartment largely given over
to social usage other than the delights
of the table. A high chair had been
found for Dot, who was assaulting
bread and milk. Seraph Laid. corpu-
lent and apologize. talked from the ad=
jacent kitchen.
"Oh, no, my DEAR" she was saying.
THE Tamaracks isn't much of hotel.
Folks stay here for meals. and we take
In few transients and occasionally
regular The regulars are mostly men
who come to fish and kill time. There
are good trout in the tamarack swamp
brook. but it's pesky hole. That man
you saw is regular. He has been
here a week.
81 can hardly say saw him. Every
thing was done SO quickly. I'm quite
dry now. and so is Dot. Your husband
doesn't appear to approve Of automo-
biies," this last sentence with an ag
grieyed intonation.
HE doesn't" exclaimed Mrs, Ladd
rather warmly. Jason is good natur-
ed about most other things. but after
our dog was knocked across the fence
poor old thing; he was only gnawing
bone In the road Jason swore an
oath never to let a car stop overnight
again. So he boarded up the shed.
My, the way some of these people
Whiz alongsa country road is fearful!
Your supper Is most ready, Mrs. Dix
on. take II you are widow woman.
BECAUSE
Eyes, I've been widowed for five
years." Lois interrupted. 1--WE were
simply taking a short pleasure drive.
A slight accident delayed US for an
hour, else we should be at home by
this time. We were making for Jep-
worth, where have a sister,"
81 see." Mrs. Ladd began to place
dishes. 81 sort Of wondered"
"a friend Of mine and his brother,
besides the chauffeur" explained Lois,
blushing tribe. ''It did seem queer
hat l was left so unceremoniously to
lhe care Of strangers, but / can look
out for myself, and always go pre-
pared for emergencies. Still should
have thought .--..
"Oh, it's the machine every time"
laughed the old woman. "Men seem to
forget. What with their wrangling and
hurry for cover. you and Dotty were
better out Of it."
Apparently" Mrs. Dixon's tone was
sarcastic. However, to let me come
h unattended and to leave all explana-
hon to me when he knew I was upset
and trying to calm Dot She paused.
Eeraph was eying her shrewdly.
''Conslderate, I must say" observed
Ehe hostess. well, draw up and eat"
Mercy You have cooked enough for
threer' Lois laughed outright,
Its not all for you. my dear. Our
regular hasn't had his supper. He
turned up only a few minutes before
you did. I'll tinkle the bell for him.
You don't mind company, do you? He's
real nice man. but sort of quiet this
trip. Acts sort Of impatient and nerv-
Gus, too, which isn't his usual way"
81 must ask you to introduce me,
then. I'll be glad to thank him for
helping u.s."
The bell rang softly in the hall. Lois,
busying herself with her napkin and
with Dot, did not glance at the enter