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

"a lady-and alone. II your
chauffeur has deserted, hope
you'll let me replace him."
She would willingly have in
formed him that she had a chauf-
feur In the near neighborhood, but,
little as she was possessed by his
appearance, she could not frame
her lips to the untruth. He was
not in the usual garb of a motor
list, and she thought he bore some
resemblance to the man in a blue
serge suit whom she had seen at
Martins. But instinct told her
that he was not to be described as
gentleman.
Thank you," she said, as level
ly as she might, I'm manage all
right myself"
''Then | may at least have the
pleasure of cranking up" he
volunteered, and proceeded to do
so, but with the result that. after
few irregular explosions the en-
CINE stopped.
He looked at her amusedly, and,
while she blushed over her ineffec-
tual prevarication, became more
than ever impressed with her
beauty.
"You haven't managed quite as
successfully as we must before we
get the toy to go again." he said.
IT'S lucky that I came along, just
now-for you as well as myself. -
He bowed again, with a flourish,
and then went to work to set
things straight, but with leisure
ly air very trying to her in her
hurry.
I've been dining down at Rock
away, you see," he informed her
conversationally. But after the
lamps are lit, little old New
York's not such bad place. I'm
on my way in to supper there
now"
Every now and then he would
glance up at her with some friend
ly or facetious remark. and when
she drew back from the circle of
light he babe her come closer and
help him. She would fain have
dispensed with his services alto
gether. Only once did another mo-
tor whiz past, taking no notice OF
them, and otherwise the road was
deserted.
eff you're bound for the Beach. :"
the man said suddenly, "I'll run
you down there in quick time. and
well send a man back to bring
your car on"
"Oh, no." she declared, "I must
take the car on myself, and-Pm
not going to the Beach,"
| "Jamaica?" he asked.
| She hesitated for moment, not
wishing to offend him by replying
that that was no concern of his,
and he, impelled thereto by her
sweet, troubled eyes, became more
reckless in his generosity.
''It doesn't matter where" he
said. Jump in beside me and I'll
run you home before they lock the
door. Then I'll come back and
bring the car on. No one will be
a bit the wiser"
She vetoed that suggestion.
sI'n tell you what, then" he
concluded. wen go straight to
New York and get someone from
Long Island City to attend to this.
We'll be just in time for a nice,
lquiet supper, and you can catch a
late train out. How does that
strike you, chr"
[ He scowled as she turned her
back on. him, and herself went to
work with the recalcitrant engine.
| You're only wasting your
time," he. assured her. "That thing
won't move again tonight. Say, I
know a place where we'd never be
noticed, and you need something
to eat now. Come on. What are
you afraid of, hey?"
| He laid a persuasive hand on
her arm. made as though he would
have slipped it around her waist,
but she stepped swiftly backward.
Before he could speak he was
staring into the muzzle of a quite
workmanlike revolver.
He stopped, not blanching, al
though he knew that women are
not to be trusted with firearms. So
that she, who had no lack Of
courage herself, liked him none
the worse for that he was not cow
ard as well as cad.
"Will you please get into your
car and go on?" she said steadily.
j'I'm good shot, and I shan't|
hesitate to-
81 don't doubt it." he interrupt
ed. with an irrepressible note of
admiration.
II had no idea of offending you,
miss, and to prove that, I'll putt
matters right for you in a twin
king, II you'll allow me. I know
exactly wh,tt's wrong, although It'll
wasn't my purpose to say so until
1t suited me. But you're one of
the right sort, and I'll be hanged
| II I'll leave a lady in any such diff
tficulty--even IL she does drill al
hole In me while I'm helping her. ="
Without more ado, he lifted the
cover again. and, after brief in
terval, rose triumphant.
That's it," he announced, while
she kept him carefully covered.
Nov I'll try the crank, IL II
may"
he did so without awaiting per-
mission, and. under his strong
hand, the engine was soon purring. 4
Then he looked quizzieally over to