Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-02

ment OF the shoulders, winch interpreted as,
Were lucky if we get there!" so could have
shouted Hurrah!' at sight of the first houses,
though they brought my last moment OF hap
piness. t'
Another instant, and the population of
Manzanares was answering to the thrum OF Our
motor, soldiers to the call of the drum.
From somewhere, their saints alone knew
where, army of children poured into the
long, straight street, and we slowed to avoid
wholesale murder they took advantage of our
consideration to swarm up the car like ants.
They ran shouting beside us, climbed on the
steps, hung on behind fighting so ruthlessly
for choice positions that they all but fell under
the wheels. One would not have supposed
there could be other children left in Spain.
The shrill cries of this legion, drowning the
sound of the motor and increasing as the
contingent was swelled from each side street,
reused the town. Families left their tables
and rushed to the door, their supper in their
hands. Bakers with white arms left to-mor-
rows bread in the troughs; group of farriers
shoeing horse stopped work, until the glow
ing iron paled. Shopkeepers who had lighted
their windows with a blaze of electricity ran
into the street. Mules and donkeys tied to
doorposts shared the general excitement,
plunged and reared before the advance of the
human breaker with the car on its crest,
snapped their cords, and dashed into their
masters houses.
Never, among all Our successes, had we made
such an entry as this; but then, never before
had we had car in tow. Half our triumph
belonged to the Lecomte; yet either of us
would gladly have dispensed with all; and
had it not been for a small but determined
policeman who struggled to preserve the credit
of the town, might have been half the night
fighting our way to an hotel. He dealt blows
and exhortations Unfortunately, plotted us
through side streets which it would never have
occurred to our imagination to enter, and
helped us make lane for the ladies to dart |
into the door of the little inn. 1t was iron
of al ahp
through shallow vestibule into patio,-the |
first we had seen on our way Southland if it
had not been slammed shut with loud click
by some person inside, half Manzanares would
have poured after the fugitives.
Assured of the ladies' safety, the men of the
two (outwardly) united parties remained to
help the chauffeurs and bewildered landlord
to take down luggage. Overwhelmed by a
wave of half grown children and thick spray
of babies, Carnonas man lost presence of
mind. The two cars had hardly stopped before
the creatures were in them, and on them and
under them, trying to pinch the tires, blowing
the horn, squalling, laughing, crying. As fast
as the thron1ging COLLINS were beaten OFT, they
were they, and so handsome was each bold, |
brown face with its dazzling eyes, that it was
impossible to be angry Somehow, we rescued
the luggage, and with the aid of the landlord, |
pitched, or slid or rolled it through the door, |
nomentarily opened.
For Heavens sake, sir, see me through
this!" implored Ropes, noticing that the men
of the party were on the point of following the
luggage. Hate to trouble you, but don't
think my Spanish will run to it. )"
In pity climbed into the car to go with him
to the stable which the landlord indicated as
our garage. 1t was an experience to be re-
membered in Nightmares; yet there was in it
a sort of school boy pleasure. We seemed to
have done battle against the whole force of the
army out against us; nevertheless, when we
returned to the inn, swept along by large
body guard, we found regiment assembled
round the door. How we got through was
food for another wild dream; but we did get
through, to stand painting on the other side
of the grating, in the patio.
Everyone was in the patio where electric
lights hanging from the balconies mingled with
rich yellow lamplight and ruddy freight
streaming from the kitchen All the luggage
was piled anyhow, in chaotic heap surging
with suit cases, boiling with dressing bags;
while nearby stood the Duchess, Lady Vale |
Avon, Carmona, Dick, and the Cherub Monica |
and Pillar had been talking together at dis
lance; but seeing me gravitate in their di- |
rection, Lady Vale Avon called her daughter.
1.-The ladies saying they can't stay here"
announced Dick his voice in sympathy with |
twinkle in his eyes, |
I'm not saying So" cut in Monica. 81
think it will be fun; a real adventure. The |
1andlady is wonderful, and all her daughters |
and nieces are beauties. If we are nice to |
A., no 10 70,