Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23

%RR HILkINS was gliding up the
avenue in his palpitating mo-
M tor car. keeping one eye on
w the path ahead and one on
the walk. when he saw, just
ahead Of him. Willy and the Stony Lazy
leis,,rely walking and he turned ms cal
into the curb and drew up beside them
The Stony Lady who was so cailed ne
cause of her hard. hard heart, was sweet
and fair and merry, and her haru' Ha'o
heart was as tender as maiden iiear'
dare be, but Wilkins and Willy had de-
cIded that it was a hard heart because
he was-tust Willy Everybody liked Will
Nv. Even the Stony Lady liked him. She
liked him with all her heart so. of coursC.
she had no heart left with which to love
LIZ.
'A.ternoonr" said wilkins. cheerily.
pushing up his goggles "Howdy. WHY.
Thought perhaps I'd run across. or over
one OF the other of you. Everybody seems
TO be out today. Get in and III take you
to-wherever you were going.
The Stony Lady looked at Willy ques-
toningly.
Would you?" she asked. Would it be
risking a human life foolishly?"
"Oh. as for me- said Willy ''I'll get
in. I'm glad to die. What is life worth
to me without"
Excitement" interposed the Stony
Lady, hurriedly. you have the gamblers
instinct. abnormally developed, if YOU are
SO willing to wager your life for a ride
with Mr.. Wilkins. I will get in. too. but
only TO exert restraining influence on
Mr.. wilkins"
DO you really trust yourself with me?''
nj
powered him. Now, If could only per-
suade you to"
Trust yourself with me for always"
was what he was going to say. but she in
tercepted the words
ITO run the carr" she asked. mo.
Mr.. Wilkins. l cannot pamper your weak
ness by assuming your responsibility. Go
ahead. please
Il have to back first. you know ex-
planned wilkins. unless you want me to
run over the curb
why don't you?'' asked Willy. You
might as well smash up the car that way
as any other
The tSony Lady eyed Willy haughtily.
You might at least let Mr.. Wilkins
break his machine when and how he
pleases." she said. You will please back
just as you intended before Willy spoke
Do not pay any attention to him
I'm not said wilkins.
"Oh" said the Stony Lady. Il thought
hat was why you were not backing. Why
n,
That rear wheel" Wilkins explained,
with exasperated calm. lis wedged so
tightly into the curb-if Willy was a real
man he would not sit there like dummy.
He would get out and push a little.
IT will get out and push. said the
Stony Lady, heroicaly. shall 1 have to
push far?
Willy crowed gleefully
IF you can't back the thing" he said.
why don't you try going forward? Never
mind the curb. Is it one of the rules of
the game to back first? If you don't have
to back, I'd go forward if / were YOU"
Wilkins blushed.
Il hadn't thought of that. he said, and
he tried It, The car moved forward, ne
gotiating the curb with a slight jolt
'Now," he said. more happily, where
were you going?"
Nowhere in PARTICULAR said the Stony
Lady.
Il shall take you there" wilkins de-
clared positively. I'm always just there
when break something You don't mind
walking back?'
We would rather walk than ride
back with you. wilkins, said Willy
spitefully. at may not be SO exciting.
but 1t is safer"
Must you two children always quar-
rel when / am with yOu?" asked the
Stony Lady ''Have you no common
ground on which you can meet in peace?"
Have we common ground. Willy"