The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-07-28


upon a hapchance impulse-he glanced
over the nearest guard rail, down at
the bed of the creek And stopped in
continently, gaping.
Stationary in the middle OF the de-
preston, hub-deep in the shallow wa
tiers, was a motor car; and it, beyond
dispute, was identical with that which
had occupied his thoughts on the ferry
boat Less wonderful, perhaps. but to
him amazing enough, it was to dis
cover upon the drivers seat the girl
IL gray.
His brain benumbed beyond further
capacity for establishment, he accepted
without demur this latest and most as
founding of the chain of amazing Co
incidences which had thus far enliv-
ened the nights earlier hours; and
stood rapt in silent contemplation,
sensible that the girl had been I'M
aware of his approach, deadened as
his footsteps must have been by the
blanket of dust that carpeted both
road and bridge deep and thick.
On her part she sat motionless, evil
IDENTIFY lost in reverie, and momen-
tarily, at least, unconscious of the en-
barrassing predicament which was
hers. So complete, indeed, seemed her
abstraction that Maitland caught him
self questioning the reality of her.
And well might she have
seemed to him a pale little wrath OF
the night, the simmer of gray that
she made against the simmer of light
on the water-a shape almost trans
parent, slight, and unsubstantial-
seeming to contemplate, and as still
as any mouse.
Looking more attentively, it became
evident that Der veil was now raised.
This was the first time that he had
seen her so. But her countenance re-
manned so deeply Swallowed by the
visor of a mannish motoring cap that
the most searching scrutiny gained no
more than dim and scantily satisfac-
tory impression of alluring loneliness.
Maitland turned noiselessly, rested
elbows on the rail, and, staring,
framed a theory to account for her
position, if not for her patience.
On either hand the road. dividing,
struck off at a tangent, down the
banks and into the river bed. 1t was
credible to presume that the girl had
lost control OF the machine Temperate
ly and that it, taking the bit between
its teeth, had swung gayly down the
incline to its bath.
Why she fingered there, however,
was less patent. The water, as has
been indicated, was some inches below
the tonneau; it did not seem reason
able to assume that it should have in
terfered with either running gear or
motor
At this point in Maitland's medita-
lions the gray girl appeared to have
arrived at a decision. She straight
ened up suddenly, with a little reso-
Lutte nod of her head, lifting one small
foot to her knee, and fumbled with the
laces of her shoe.
Maitland grasped her intention to
abandon the machine, with her deter
mination to wade, Clearly this would
seem to demonstrate that there had
been breakdown, irreparable so far
frail feminine hands were concerned.
One shoe removed, its fellow would
follow, and then. Out OF sheer
chivalry, the involuntary witness was
moved to earnest protest.
DON'T" he cried, hastily. Il say,
don't wade,"
Her superb composure claimed HIS
admiration. Absolutely ignorant
though she had been of his proximity,
the voice from out of the skies evil
IDENTIFY alarmed her not at all. Still
bending over the lifted foot, she turned
her head slowly and looked up; and
OH" said small voice, tinged with
relief. And coolly knotting the laces
again, she sat up. 81 didn't hear you,
you know"
Nor I see you" Maitland supple
mented, unblushingly, until a moment
ago. I-er-can l be of assistance%
Cant you?"
'Idioti" said Maitland, severely,
both to and of himself. Aloud: 81 think
1 can"
81 hope so"-doubtfully. Its very
unfortunate. was running
rather fast, I suppose, and didn't see
the slope until too late. Now" open
ing her hands in gesture ENORMOUSLY
charming with its suggestion of help
lessness and dependence, Il don't
know what can be the matter with the
machine"
I'm coming down" announced
Maitland briefly. wait"
THANK you, I SHALL"
She laughed, and Maitland could
have blushed for his inanity; happily
he had action to cloak his embarrass-
ment. In a twinkling ne was at the
waters edge, pausing there to listen,
with admirable docility, to her plain
tive objection: But you'll get wet
and--and ruin your things. I can't
ask that Of you"
He chuckled, by way of reply, slap
ping CALAMITY into the shadows and