The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-09-04
Ey FELIX NOEL.

entirely inclosed by windows of plate
glass, draped with green silk curtains.
Easy chairs stood about; cushioned
lockers ran down each side. At the
end was broad divan.
The windows slide back" said
Griffith: this curtain can be drawn,
shutting off the divan entirely, so
that one can sleep here If necessary.
The lockers hold provisions"
Where's the steering gear?"
Its invisible" was the reply.
Mansel, trifle nettled, walked to the
front of the car, where a brass disk
was nailed.
1T this also a secret?" he asked,
with some irritation.
It's my remembrancer," returned
Griffith. laughing. Where shall we
go? Barstead? Be nice run before
luncheon; we ought to be there py
ten-thirty," writing those numerals
and "Barstead" on a card and stick
ing it in the disk. Bring a chair to
the front, Jack"
And the car glided out of the yard.
1t was the art of locomotion carried
to perfection. Without sound or vi
bration the motor sped down the
drive and out into the valley between
the wooded hills.
What do you think of it," asked
Griffith. whats the matter, old
MANI"
Look here, Griff! This is abso-
lutely uncanny. you know! Who's
steering?"
81 am"
Mansel regarded the speaker stead
lily.
If this is joke, Griff, it is a bit
too weird for my tastel This blessed
car is simply going to destruction, I'M
less you have a chauffeur concealed
on the roof! What's your motive
power? Where's your steering gear,
MANI"
You are perfectly SAFE" replied
Griffith, ignoring the questions. Look
there"
A heavy four-horse wagon was
numbering toward them. Mansel held
his breath, but in an instant the car
swerved aside, passing the staring
wagner and his team like a flash.
John gasped. Griffith regarded him
Quizzically.
Now, don't you think my car an
Improvement on the ordinary thing?"
he asked.
I'm the big items of absence of
smell and noise, do, emphatically, F"
answered his friend; but it gives
one the saddest feeling of insecurity
to sit here and see no means of con-
trolling it! Look here, Griff! Put
me down at Barstead Station; I tell
you candidly don't trust myself"
What do you mean?"
THAT can't stay within a few
yards of this machine without trying
to find out the secret of its working:
So, If you don't want me to make d
cad of myself, leave me at Barstead,
and send my traps after me-"
MY dear old lad" replied Griffith,
you shall have the keys of the motor
house and examine the thing at
leisure; only let me candidly tell you,
you will have your pains for moth
ing"
You think l can't find out the
secret?"
Sure of it."
take a bet on it?"
mo; it would be picking your
pocket"
And you give me leave to try?"
do your level best, old fellow.
You won't succeed, however,"
And the car glided on, hills and
valleys making no difference to its
swift. smooth progress.
The return journey was an almost
silent one. When the car stopped
Griffith handed John bunch of keys
Its letter lock-" he explained;
1.-The word is secret now do as you
like, except take the car to pieces"
The following day was young when
Mansel locked the door upon himself
and the mysterious motor. The light
ness of the vehicles make puzzled
him exceedingly. The wheels had
none of the usual massiveness, and
no trace of tank, or coil, of lever or
spring, could he find. He crawled
under it, in that happy position famil-
! lar to those of us VINO are owned by
the ordinary car; he tapped, exam
ined, measured. He mounted the
roof, he searched the cushion lockers,
inspected the brazen disk, and at
length, weary and exasperated, owned
himself beaten, and went back to
town with his friend, no whit wiser
than he had left it.
Il want to ask you a great favor,
dear Mr.. Griffith" thus spoke Mrs.
Mansel, in her most fascinating man
ner.
What is it?" inquired Griffith.
you are such an old friend. l
know you will forgive me. Could
you possibly include Exton in that
charming invitation of yours? You
must have seen how deeply attached
he is to dear Victoria-and the dear
child is-well-you understand my
reticence?"
Certainly" replied Griffith, court
eously. But the July sunshine sud
denly seemed garish, and he realized
that something dear and precious had
gone out of his life.
He had dwelt much on the expected
visit, but now the pleasant flavor of
anticipation had become dust and