The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-19

tAOCo, tdu UuSuCS, dSSulucu
stranger shapes as she drew to-
ward them, and passed, ana left
them behind. The houses she saw
were all dark. The erie stiffness
of night was only broken by the
monotonous whirr which accom-
panied her, or when some dog
barked noisily from a farm at the
sound of her fight.
! Hour after hour licked away
without other occurrence, and she
still sat steadily at her wheel, alert
and ready for anything that might
befall But, for all her haste, gray
dawn was breaking across the
bay before she turned off the high
road on to a rougher one, slowed
down to cross an uncertain bridge
spanning shallow salt water
creek, and putting on a last squirt
over sand, wheeled into an almost
untrodden track through thick
belt of wood which concealed a
small dwelling beside the sea.
At the warning honk of her horn
a door was flung wide from within,
an elderly woman ran forth with
uplifted hands, tragic eyes.
"C'est tot, ma'mselle!" cried she
in tremulous French, and called
upon God to witness her gratitude
as her young mistress stepped
down from the car.
ITS |, Fanchette, without
doubt" said the girl, very gladly.
And thankful to see you again,
and so tired that can scarcely
see.
You were not over-anXiOus,
were your" she asked coaxingly,
and put an arm round the other as
she saw that her eyes were wet.
NOW, don't cry, there's dear.
I'm here after all, and I'll tell you
what happened to me just as soon
as we get indoors. had hard
enough work to get home even at
this unearthly hour
ooh, see here!" he began, but
she had already started to count In
a cold, clear tone, "One-two-
three-four-''
And he saw that she meant no
more and no less than what she
had said. She would most assuredly
fire If he did not obey her.
He was half inclined to take the
risk and chance her shot going
wide, so desirable did she look
standing there alone under the dim
stars, her delicate features warmly
aglow in the CLEAN of his upheld
lamp, her clear eyes meeting his
clouded ones resolutely. But some
remnant of a better nature induced
him to give in to her steadfast pur-
pose. He bowed to her with a real
respect as he counted eight, and at
10 was already guiding his car past
hers.
He went on few yards, and
stopped, watching her as she
climbed to her seat, but without
making any further attempt to an
noy her.
IF everything isn't quite right,
I'm here at your service" he called
through the gloom, but she nodded
briskly as she looked back Every
things all right, thanks" she re-
piled.
And I'm to have supper all by
myself?' he inquired in sad Jest.
Good night" she responded
briefly, and went her way, leaving
him leaning over the back of the
seat, staring regretfuly after her.
shes no snob," he assured HIM
self fervently. "A blue grass filly,
II ever there was one, like the
breed II 1t weren't for this in
fernal girl that I'm going to marry,
I'd turn about and chase right after
her now"
Ten minutes more took the object
of his eulogy to Jamaica, and the
short run through the lighted
streets there helped to build up her
waning courage against the long
journey still before her. 1t had been
severely tried in the recent encoun,
ter, although she had shown nc
sign Of that at the time.
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