The Huttig news., 1908-10-31

JItt OH l0t IuTl16I sue Ol l1it Maitland. crestfallen, offered hts hand; the tips of her fingers touched his palm lightly as she jumped in He hes itated at the step.
 You wish me to-"
 She laughed lightly Most assured lv. You may assure yourself that I shan't try to elude you again.
 T would I might he sure of that" he said, steadying his voice and seek. ing her eyes.
 fProcrastination won't make it any more assured.
 He stepped up and settled himself in the drivers seat, grasping throttle and steering wheel; the great machine thrilled to his touch like live thing, then began slowly to hack out into l the road. For an instant ii seemed to hang palpitant on dead center. then shot out like hound unleashed, ven e-a-terre-Brooklyn miles away over the hood.
 It seemed but minute ere they were laundering over the Myanns bridge. A little further on Maitland slowed down and. jumping out. lighted the lamps. In the seat agan-no words had passed-he threw in the high-speed clutch, and the world flung behind them. roaring. Thereafter. breathless, stunned by the frenzy of sreed. perforce silent, they bored on through the night, crashing along de- serted highways.
 In the east a band of pallid light i lifted up out of the night. and the horizon took shape against it, stark 1 and black. Slowly. stealthily, the | formless dawn dusk spread over the sleeping world: to the zenith the light smitten stars reeled and died and houses, fields. and thoroughfares lay a.gimmer with ghostly twilight as the ear tore headlong through the grim, unlovely. silent hinterland of Long Island City.
 The gates of the ferry-house were in- exorably shut against them when at last Maitland brought the big machine to a tremulous and panting halt. like that of an overdriven thoroughbred. And though they perforce endured wait of fully 15 minutes. neither found aught worth saying; or else the words wherewith fitly to clothe their thoughts were denied them. The girl seemed very weary and sat with head dropping and hands clasped idly in her lap. To Maitland's hesitant query as to her comfort she return monosyllabic re- assurance. He did not again venture 10 disturb her. on his own part he was conscious of a clogging sense of ex- haustion. of drawn and haggard feel ing about the eyes and temples: and knew that he was keeping awake automatically. his being already a. deze.
 The fresh wind off the sullen river served in some measure to revive them. once the gates were opened and the car had taken a place on the fer fy-boat's forward extreme. Day was now full upon the world; above a hori- zon belted with bright magenta. the cloudless sky was soft turquoise and sapphire. and abruptly, while the big unwieldy boat surged across the nar- row ribbon of green water. the sun 1 shot mp with shout and turned to an evanescent dream of fairy-land the gaunt rockribhed profile of Manhat tan island, buking above them in tier upon tier of monstrous buildings.
 On the Manhattan side, in deference to the girls low-spoken wish Maitland ran the machine up to Second avenue, turned north. and brought it to a stop hv the curb. little north of Thirty | fifth street.
 And now whither?" he inquired. hands somewhat impatiently ready upon the driving and steering gear.
 The girl smiled faintly through her veil. You have been most kind" she l told him in tired voice. Thank you from my heart. Mir Anisty," and made a move as if to relieve him of his charge.
 ''Is that all9" he demanded, blankly.
 Can I say more?'
 I l am to go no further with you?'' Sick with disappointment, he rose and dropped to the sidewalk anticipating her affirmative answer.
 .'If you would please me" said the girl. you won't insist
 sI don't" he returned, ruefully. "Rut are you quite sure that you're all right now?"
 Quite. thank you, dear Mir. Anistv." With g pretty gesture of conquering impulse she swept her veil aside, and the warm rose-glow of the newborn day tinted her wan young cheeks with color. And her eyes were as stars. bright with a mist of emotion. brim- ming with gratutude-and something else. He could not say what: but one thing he knew. and that was that she was worn with excitement and fatigue. near to the point of breaking down.
 You're tired" he insisted. solici- tous Cant you let me-?"
 'I am tired she admitted. wistfully. voice subdued. yet rich and vibrant "No, please. Please let me go. Don't ask me any questions-now.
 "Only one" he made application. "'ye done nothing"
 Nothing but be more kind than can say,"
 And you're not going to back out