Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-08-28

him his proper place, tempering his
unwarranted and uncomfortable air OF
assumption. Hum. Let's see. this
was August Il was just six months
since she had met him. and he seemed
10 think so brief an acquaintance en-
titled him TO the privileges Of many
years. To be sure, she had been 10
nearly every one of the Country club
dances with him-but he did dance so
divinely-and had gone autoing with
him every Friday afternoon for mat
Ter of some eight or ten weeks. But
what of IL? There were plenty OF
others craving her favor. and just be-
cause she happened to like Jacks
dancing and Jacks auto better than
anybody else's, was that any reason
why he
Honk. honk!
The staccato breaking OF the silence
yearly caused Elinor to lose her bal
Ance. She gripped the top rail of the
fence hard and watched the wild thing
whlz by. Suddenly 1t began to slow
down, then II turned around and start
ed back again. Jacks car! Her heart
gave a bound of happy relief. Then IL
sank sickeningly as again she noticed
some one beside hlm-a woman, but
so heavily yelled that Elinor could not
see her face.
Jack brought the machine to a stand
still beside its disabled contemporary,
jumped out and looked about for its
possible owner. He could scarce be-
lieve his senses when he saw Elinor
perched In solitary misery on the fence.
"Why, Elinor," he cried in astonish-
ment, "what has happened?"
Nothing much, thank you, Mr.. Will
liams," answered Elinor distantly.
"Just a slight accident. Mr.. Norris
has gone across the fields to get some
assistance. He will be back In min
ute Don't stop, beg Of you"
But Jack was used to having his own
way and was already underneath Yer
mons machine investigating the cause
of the trouble.
Meanwhile between Elinor and the
yelled lady in the other car there was
an exchange OF furtive glances, but
none OF clNllllleS.
"She's all right now" exclaimed
Jack, emerging soon. "Just got tired
of going so fast and thought shed
give you two little surprise. Which
way did you say Norris went?"
Before Elinor could reply Jack hac
run up the road a short distance ant
stood looking intently through his fielt
glasses at a speck of a figure hurryini
toward them.
THAT'S Norris now" he called bacl
to the yelled lady. Say, Nora, sup
pose you get into his car and run III
to meet him. 1t will give him jolly
good surprise to be rescued by his owl
machine. I'll stay with Miss Ken
dali"
The yelled lady answered with I
cherry "All right, Jack" that made I'll
inor vince and shifted with easy agil
ity from one car to the other.
AS soon as the machine had goo'
start Jack. with a leap and a bound
made for the fence. He landed with
lump directly in front Of Elinor AM
stood looking up at her wistfully.
ION which side of the fence are yo
going to jump, dear?" he asked gently
"On the other" replied Elinor wit
little gasp.
But she did not, for Jack took he
In his strong arms and, needless OF he
protestations, ran with her to his ma
chine. which he set going at full speed
When Elnor had regained her equ
ubrium and her breath, she assume
an injured expression wholly out @
keeping with the tumult of joy in he
heart.
ssWho is the other womanf' she ash
ed frigidly. though what did 1t ma
ter now?
Jack laughed heartily.
"NIy cousin Nora and yours TO b.
dear. had to get some one to rid
with me. you know"
Elinor looked up at him shyly.
do you think they'll catch up wit
u.s." she asked, her eyes sparkling wit
happiness.
"Probably won't try to, chuckie
Jack. you see. Nora's steering III;
machine, and Vernon will have to 10
low her lead. She's had her cap s.
for him ever since she came to tow
She wasn't having bit of good tin
with me. But suppose they shou
overtake us. Elinor." continued Jac
with mock anxiety would you like
+ change back againT
"No. Jack" replied Elinor SOFT
"Ive made my jump, and I'm on YOU
side of the fence forever"