The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-08-12
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I
Il could hire q team at some farm
house"
But the delay' It's so late al
ready"
Undoniably late: one O'Clock at the
earliest. a thought longe- Maitland
hung In lack OF purpose. then without
a word Of explanation turned and again
began ts wade out
What do you mean TO do" she
cried. surprised.
See what's the trouble" he called
back. Il know q bit about motors
Perhaps"
"Then--but why"
She stopped: and Maitland fcrbore
to encourage her 90 round out her
question. II was no difficult matter to
supply the missing words Why had
he not thought Of investigating the
motor before insisting that he must
carry her ashore'
The humillating conviction forced
itself upon him that he was not nEur
ing TO great advantage IN this advsn.
ture Distinctly a humiliating ssnss.
tion 10 one who ordinarily was by war
OF having a fne conceit OF himself
II requires a certain amount OF ego
tism TO enable one 10 play the sx
qGisite 10 ones personal satisfaction:
Maitland had enjoyed the possession
OF that certain amount; heretofore his
approval 81 self had been passabiy en-.
tire. Now-he could not dcny--,he
boor had shown up through the polish
Of the beau.
Intolerablc thought "Cadl- ex.
claimed Maitland. bitterly This all
was due TO has,y jumping a, conciu.
sions: n he had not chosen to believe
young and charming girl IDENTICAL
with an-an adventures. this thing
had not happened and he had stiil re
tanned bis own good will. For one u;
tie moment he deapised himself heart.
ly-one little moment OF clear insight
into self was his. And forthwith ne
began 10 mediate apologies. fornu-
latlng phrases designed 10 provo ade-
duate without sounding exaggerated
and insincere
ny this time he had reached thu
car. and-through sheer laundering
luck-at once stumbled upon the seat
OF trolble-a clogged valve In tho car.
burcter. No serious matter: with the
assistance OF a repair kit more than
commonly complete. he had the valve
clear In a jiffy.
News OF this triumph he shouted to
the girl. receiving IN reply an -Oh.
thank you" 20 fervently grateful that
he felt more guilty than ever.
Illuminating unhsppily on the end OF
contemplated abasement. he waded
round the car. satisfying himself that
there was nothing else out OF gear:
and apprehenslvely cranked up
whereupon tho motor began to hum
contentedly; all was well. Flushed
with this success. Maitland climbed
aboard and opened the throttle n trifie.
The car moved. And then. with .
swish. a gurgle. and a vatery whoosh,
IL surged forward. up. ost OF the river.
CALAMITY up the slope.
At the top the amateur chauffeur
shut down the throttle aud Jumped
out. turning to face the girl. She wa.
by the step almost before he could
offer a hand TO help her In. and a. she
paused TO render him his due need OF
thanks, Il became evident that che har.
bored little II any resentment: eyes
shining. face aglow with gratitude.
she dropped him a droll but graceful
courtesy.
You are too good" she declared
with spirit. How can thank you"
You might" he suggested. LOOKING
down into her face from his superior
height. give me n bit OF a lift-just a
couple OF miles up the road. Though. .
he supplemented eagerly. III you'd
really prefer. should be only too
happy TO drive the car home for your"
Two miles, did you say?"
lie fancied something odd IN her
tone; besides, the question was super.
fiuous. His eyes informed with pun
element. he replied: why. yes-thst
much. more or less. | live"
"of course" she put In quickly, I'll
give you the lift--Only too glad. But
as for your taking me home at this
hour. can't hear OF that"
But"
Besides. what would people say"
she countered. obstinately. "Oh. no."
she decided; and he felt that from this
decision there would be no appeal;
Il couldn't think OF interfering with
your arrangements"
Her eyes held his for a single in.
slant. instinct with mischief. cleaning
with bewildering light from out face
schooled TO gravity. Maitland expe
rienced a sensation OF having graspeo
after and missed subtlety OF al
fusion; his wits, keen as they were. re
colled. bafiied by her finesse. And he
more he OWNED that she was playing
with him, as an experienced swordA
man might play with an impairment
| novice the denser his confusion grew