Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-01-09
Cupid ON
The Fence.
By M. C. SANFORD.
Copyright. 1907, by Jessie Morgan.
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10 go automobiling with him, and, not
ut all as usual, she had said she would
not. Her refusal was unprecedented
and almost as much of surprise to
herself as 1t was to Jack, but sober
second thought seemed to Justify it.
1t was foolish, SO argued Elinor to
herself as she hung up the receiver to
let Jack take so much for granted, to
let him think she was always ready,
as matter Of course, to answer his
beck and call. She would show him a
thing or two. There were other men
to be considered, and she didn't intend
to marry Jack any more than-well,
perhaps not as much as she intended
to marry some one else! Still it was
such lovely afternoon, and she did SO
love to go automobiling.
The telephone rang again.
Hello" answered Elinor languidly.
"Oh, Mr.. Norris? Yes. Go automobil-
ing with you this afternoon? l shall
he delighted. Three o'clock? All right.
I'll be ready. Goodby"
Elinor clapped her hands and gave
herself little squeeze of congratula-
ton.
Half an hour later, her little round
chin tilted saucily above the big blue
bow of her gauzy veil, Elinor stood
waiting on the porch, a picture of pert.
hess and prettiness.
At the "honk, honk," of an approach
ing automobile she ran quickly down
the steps to greet Vernon Norris, but
to her establishment the car did nJt
stop, and. looking after 1T curiousiy,
she discovered that 1t was not Vernon,
lieve her eyes ?-he was not alone!
There was a funny little tight feeling
about Elinors heart that she didn't
care to analyZe. She turned her back
on the vanishing apparltion of Jack,
and there on the top Of the hill, like
n coming event that had cast its shad-
ow before it (alas. that 1t was such
corporeal shadowD. she saw Vernon's
car looming into sight.
Anyway, reflected Elinor, If Yer
mons auto wasn't such a beauty as
Jacks, 1t was still an auto, and II
Vernon wasn't. perhaps, as handsome
as Jack he was still man, and when
1t came to a matter of comparison, n
man far more solicitous of her happi-
ness. Jack had a way of spinning
through the country without, appar-
emily, the least consciousness of her
presence beside him. Vernon, on the
other hand, was always on the alert TO
rescue the wayward end of her veil.
TO inquire for her comfort and to ask
what speed best pleased her present
mood. With him she herself, not the
machine, was the center of his
thoughts.
AS a result of these reflections, Eli
nor greeted Vernon with an unusually
winsome smile and extended her hand
with charming graciousness. favor
which that young man, most natural
ly. tlattered himself was stimulated
by his own Irresistible powers of at
traction.
Elinor followed up the cordiality OF
her welcome with such a chatter of
merry talk as they went flying
through the country and seemed so
radiantly happy. that Vernon, bring.
ing the machine to a sudden slow
down, simultaneously with his inspira-
tion, decided to learn his fate then
and there.
1t proved most literally u popping
Of the question. His declaration was
cut short with a sound as of spontane-
Gus combustion. The noise, together
with Vernon's unexpected proposal
took Elinor Off her feet, both mentally
and physically. AS she sprang up
Vernon caught her TO him.
''It's all right, dear" he murmured,
with extravagant tenderness You're
ed her veil so that he might look into
her face
Elinor freed herself with effort
No" she said, sadly. I'm not hurt
and I'm not frightened" She felt
suddenly an indescribable shrinking
from the man. He had been too quick
to take advantage OF the situa ton.
Had 1t been Jack, he
Vernon interrupted her train of
Thought Ev shouting to some men in
the distance ror nelp. IDey diu NOT
hear him.
"Awfully sorry" he said finally.
"but I'm afraid I'll have to go across
the fields for help. There's a farm
house over there. I'm very much like
Humpty Dumpty, you see. don't
know how to put myself together
again" CElinor saw. but somehow
was not amused) will you be timid
here alone?"
mot at ALL" she answered firmly.
Ignoring the sentimental look in his
eyes.
81 won't he long" he. assured her
as he Jumped out OF the car stay
Just where you are and make yourself
comfortable. The car won't bulge"
After Vernon had disappeared from
sight, Ellnor. not at all confident in
spite of his assurance. as to what the
inconstant auto might do next. jumped
out and perched herself on the post OF
nearby fence.
She was a most hewitching little
vision as she sat there. her fawn col
Ored coat outlined against the green
meadow background. and her filmy
veil, which she had loosened. floating
out airily in the breeze as If on its
way to join the clouds in the blue sky
above II. But Elinor was obivious to
the picturesqueness of her plight All
oil nnpII Of ,,.,..