The midland journal., 1908-06-26
THE OLD
FASHIONED WAY.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

RAHSC az w A4CA Al w do POOS1UtS " 6Ot
help.
Trenton and Miss Bassett sat in
side, sheltered from the storm and
wrapped in comfortable robes, while
the chauffeur hunted for the trouble
and slapped his arms around himself
to keep from freezing. 1t had not
been very cold when they started. The
blizzard had come up suddenly, and
the, snow was falling so rapidly and
drifting so badly that their chances
of getting through would have been
very poor even if the car had not
gone to the bad
What are we to do?" Miss Bas-
.sett asked.
well, we might get out and tramp
through the snow either to Woods
vile or to Midvale," Trenton re-
piled.
"You do not seem to be taking
this matter very seriously
eyes, am. You don't know how
serious it is to me. happen to own
this car, and standing out here in
snowdrift all night isn't likely to do
it bit of good
I'm SO sorry that ! am likely to
ne the cause of financial loss to you.
II had refused to come it would not
have happened.
eyes, it would
Il don't understand how it could"
DO not fiatter yourself, Miss Bas-
sett, that l should have sat down and
mnnnd If Won hod dooIipad ~ ooo,o
There were other girls who would
have been glad to be invited"
Then suppose you had already
thought it out when you came to me-
Thought out what, please?"
You had gone over it all in your
mind-had decided if I had declined
to come you would come with one of
the others, since you had satisfied
yourself that you had only to ask any
of them in order to receive an ac-
ceptance"
No, to be candid, hadn't thought
much about it. There was no occa-
sion for that You see, I knew you
were coming
Miss Bassett turned and looked
out at the binding snow that was
whirling past, driven by wind which
was increased in velocity every min
ute. The chauffeur was standing
with his back turned to the storm,
apparently at the end of his re-
sources. He seemed to be half fro
zen, in spite of his big fur coat and
the cap that was drawn down over
his head.
why don't you send him off in
search of help?" Miss Bassett asked,
turning to Trenton.
Il have been thinking of doing
that. I am glad you have suggested
it,
81 can't see why you should wait
Tor suggestions from mc in a case of
this kind
1T occurred to me that you might
think I was conceited if / sent him
away"
why should think that?"
"You shouldn't, but was afraid
you might. You see, I didn't want to
have you sit here and wonder, after
had sent him off, what reason 1
had for supposing that you preferred
me to him as companion"
II have no doubt that many chat
feurs are estimable men-much more
30 than are the men whom they
serve; but l have never been in the
habit OF turning to them for social
diversion or companionship."
Trenton felt that it would be well
for him to turn his attention for
moment to the chauffeur. He got
out and held brief but earnest con-
ference with his man, after which the
driver started down the road through
: the storm and in few minutes dis
appeared.
How long do you think it will
take him?' Miss Bassett asked after
Trenton. shivering and looking wor-
ried, got inside.
i haven't any idea," he replied.
IF he gets through at all it will be
extremely lucky for all of us. The
storm is getting worse and worse"
Miss Bassett drew back as far as
she could in her own corner, pulled
the heavy robes arounc her, and
looked out at the world, which was
rapidly disappearing under an ava
lanche of snow. 1t was beginning to
get dark, although they had hardly
been on the road an hour, and it was
barely 2 O'Clock when they had left
home.
Trenton watched her out of the
tail of an eye. and made himself COM
Portable in, his own corner. Thus
they sat for half an hour in absolute
silence. 1t had grown quite dark,
and Trenton began, at last. to won
der how long the lady was likely to
be able to keep from breaking down.
Just then he spoke:
There must, at least, be a farm
house somewhere near here" she
said.
"yery likely there is" he replied