The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20

Lithgow, in choosing that" and then
the six black horses started on dash
that drowned the rest of his speech.
Miss Lithgow, her fact hidden from the
other seats by the frills of her parasol,
turned one look of brief and lofty in
uuiry upon her companion, but he was
engrossed with his horses.
1t was not until they were going down
the first long hill that he spoke. The
noise of the brake made 1t necessary Tor
him to bend little to his companion.
Are YOU quite comfortable?" he said.
"Perfectlyv' said Miss Lithgow frig-
idly
"The view Is good, Isn't tf'
"Very!" ;,
"And New England is new to you, is
1t not?'
Eyes" .
"It is the most attractive part OF the
continent" he said with calm nnality
that filed the Middle-West soul with
wrath. but she only tilted her head PACK
indifferently.
II think all America is rather over
rated" she said. "And one gets so tireo'
YOU know, of the people who insist upon
forcing their ideas of equality on one
It is SO crude, so bourgeois.
"I dare say 1t might seem So ne as
serted thouRhtfully, ito one who had
come I'D with the idea of ranks and
grades. But',-his eyes lighting to half
smile-"rank brings complications. what
a misfortune, for instance, 10 iali ia
love with a countessE
The challenge in his voice might have
been inaudible to Evelyn Maud. Mlss
Iithgow rose to it. Her long-lashed due
eyes looked innocently past the frills Oh
her parasol.
"That would depend upon the countess
don't you think?' she said.
"Appreciative laughter sprang to his an
swering gaze. "I think" he began with
perceptible eagerness, and then from the
rear seat came the forcedly blithesome
tones of Mr.. French
"see here, driver" he cried. Turn to
the left here. We want to visit that
chaps studio"
"All rightr' said Mr.. Adamson. He
drew his six horses sharply to the iert
and pulled up at the side of the road
where a path led up q steep hill out of
sight.
Miss Lithgow," he smiled.
But Miss L!thgow ruefully held out
very high-heeled slipper.
IT didn't know there was to be any
walking" she said. But when my aunt
comes'-this reference to an imminent
chaperon was another favorite of Pa
trices-'I shall come up here with her.
Please go on, Mr.. French. you are keep
ing the others waiting" and Mr.. French,
protesting still, departed.
..It is Impossible to climb in French
heels" said Patrice
Perfectly impossiblep' assented her
companion gravely. 1.-THE French have
done one or two good things in their
time"
Lady Evelyn. Maud's understudy.
frowned. Then Patrice Lithgow smiled
Just little.
IT think it is going to rain." she said.
81 think so, too" he returned. II
thought so when we started"
THE front seat is desirable place in
a rainstorm."
1T thought of that, too." he agreed;
'but that one reason for not wanting you
on the front seat was hopelessly out
classed by the reason for wanting you"
She leaned forward to look at the path
where the others had disappeared.
1T wonder whether I could climb IT,
she said.
certainly notr' he assured her prompt
ly you'd never make II In the world.
Besides, we haven't finished our discus
sion."
She wrinltled her straight brows,
About falling in love with lady Of
rank" he explained.
the lace ruffle of her sunshade to droop
between her and her neighbor. She did
not speak for a moment Then. In the
tone of one who suits the conversation to
the company:
DO you like driving?" she said
Every muchr" he answered promptly.
do your"
1T have never driven professionally"
said Lady Evelyn Maud
1.-THE process is the same" he said,
Patrice's lips trembled into smile be-
hind the parasol. She dropped the ruffle
lower.
ut is going to rain" said Mr.. Adamson.
''If you can dispense with those lace
ruffles I'll put this umbrella up. THERE!
That's better!'' He smiled at her as the
parasol came down. I'VE won't be long
getting to shelter"
do you mean the studio?"
Heaven Forbid There's a covered
bridge a mile on" He gathered up the
reins and wheeled the horses back into
the main road.
Patrics sat upright. But I prefer
she began.
He turned to smile at her again. The
horses were flying down the level stretch.
His dark face was boyishly elate.
I'm glad that umbrella hasn't any
ruffles," he said.
The pink. crept over Patrice's fscA sha