The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-07

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CHAPTER Nv.
Franchette Finds Only a Hundred
Francs i'm the Golfer.


had hurt her more, perhaps, than
anything else she had had to en-
dure since she had encountered
her most unwelcome companion
And that had not been either little
or light.
She had intuitively adjudged
him gentleman: and had been by
so much the more ashamed that
he should see her in such a plight.
There was so much he might mis-
understand.
The exotic atmosphere of Mar
tins was a strange one to her. She
could not but know that she must
be conspicuous in 1t, and yet but
for the consciousness of his re-
gard she might have left 1t I'M
moved by the thought that the
throng there had been witnesses
OF his discontinue.
She felt sure that everyone
must have seen what she was suf-
fering. She had stipulated ere en-
tering the restaurant that they
were to part at the door, where her
car was waiting, but the wine her
escort had imbibed had rendered
him quarrelsome, and when she
reminded him of his promise he
contradicted her flatly. She was
almost desperate, but took her
seat In the automobile, and he
went forward to crank the engine.
At sight of him STOPPING over, a
sudden, rash resolution inspired
her. She laid one hand on the
horn, and, as the engine started
squeezed out a single loud blast
which caused him to spring toward
the sidewalk. Ere he could un-
derstand what had happened, she
had thrown in the gears with trem-
bling fingers, and backed away q
few yards.
She took her foot off the brake
and moved forward, wheeling az
ne made a rush at her, and bowl.
ing him over as he strove to make
good his footing on the off step.
He stumbled and fell with q
howl OF, rage. She put on speed
dashed safely over the cross street
and, having thus made sure of heI
distance, slowed down to a more
sensible pace, and so fled from
him.
Her scarlet lips were tightly
compressed and single furrow on
her white forehead bespoke 9
depth of determination. She was
lsteeling herself against a con.
science which whispered that II
had all been very unladylike, and
undignified.
Quickly she made her way to
the 34th st. ferry.
At the dock there she had five
minutes to wait for the boat, and
in that interval she disguised her.
self as well as she might in a mo-
tor costume. Buster, cap and Cog
giles she donned in haste, drawing
the collar over her dimpled chin
knotting a close veil round the
silken glory of her hair. But, try
as she might, she could not hide
from the eyes of men all trace OF
her beauty, and many inquisitive
glances were conferred on her as
she sat immobile in her place, the
lights cleaning warmly against
the wild rose of her cheeks, her
curved lips rather tremulous now
that the tense strain she had been
under was somewhat relaxed.
Long Island City at night time
confused her sadly, and she went
astray more than once in her
nervousness ere striking the main
road to Jamaica. She dared not
TASK directions even to save delay,
Her light car ran smoothly for
a time, but presently a rattle
warned her of coming trouble. 1t
came, and she found herself
stranded.
She knew that Fanchette would
be frantic with fear of her. There
was no train to be counted upon
till morning. 1t was 1890, too
late to Telegraph.
She got out to attempt repair.
drawing off her gauntlets, raising
her veil, and turning down her
coat collar with business-like
haste. The night was dark. She
took one of the lamps from Its
bracket, and, lifting the bonnet,
made careful search for the trou-
BILE. She displayed intimate &C
quaintance with all the details of
the mechanism, but in vain.
She was almost in despair when,
looking up, she saw two glaring
headlights approaching, and hope
sprang up within her. she stepped
out into the roadway, holding her
lamp. But at that moment the
sound of mans voice, singing
jovially, came down the wind to
her, and, hearing it, her courage
ebbed. She drew hack hurriedly
behind her own machine, stopping
over the rear tire. The dread that
some returning roysterer from
Rockaway Beach might only prove
an added complication, brought
her to rely upon her own re-
sources, even though that should
take all night.
But she had changed her mind
too late. The approaching auto
slowed down as the brakes were
applied.
In trouble, comrade?" cried the
voice of one well satisfied with
himself and the world In general,
land a scratched, shabby car was
drawn up head to head with hers,
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