Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-04

Miss FarnuIn first experienced vague lrrltabil-
ity at the stage drivers lack of courtesy. When
one wants ones errands done. it time for
a man to ape the feminine in display OF suks.
As his distemper continued and became fixed,
her irritation evolved into dISConten She was
dissatisfied with her work, she impatient
with the ever babbling goSsips; she was prelu-
diced against the village as a whole. To cap
the climax she found that Lawyer Philpot had
become tresome. AS yet she had not bothered
to inform him of this fact in set and definite
words Weary of everything she decided to
wait till she had returned to her old home.
Her preparations for leaving Otsville were
made quietly. Few knew of her intentions,
none knew that She was going for good As
Phipot out Of town, she told HIM nothing.
The morning clear, the air frosty. Her
cheeks redeemed as the coach came in sight.
Her bushes resulted from the tang in the air,
not because this was to be her last meeting with
Philander. Then her cheeks paled,-of course
it would be their last meeting
"Whoal" cried the driver, and with con-
vulsive little start she lifted her eyes, and fall
tered:
why, YOU re not Phil our old stage driver!'
Nav he's quit" grinned the new man.
Quit las night. Quit town, too. Derned
queer he should quit though. Be we all right!
Gee dap"
And what had promised to be bit of adj
venture, romance tinged with pathos and
breathing the aroma of last parting. now set
OH on pTOSalC WneelS. Everything became III
lovely and hateful. If she had only gone the
day before, Her anabasiS as lonely as that
of the stoop shouldered man at the foot of the
hill.
DERHAPS the new driver wished to impress
his passenger with air of reckless grace;
or maybe his mind above trIumphS over
the immaterial feminine, and desire to shine
forcefully in the eyes of the lone traveller in
cited him to throw off the brake. Whatever
e L.,,, nod
him, the reward was one. The coach bounded
over boulder like a live thing and the driver,
unprepared was tossed aside and into the
bushes.
Miss Farnum raised her eyes just in time to
behold the ira lectory of his heels. Before she
could evidence any fear the horses were spring
ing wildly forward. The unusual clatter caused
the man below to turn and wait tor results
Doubtless he first believed the coach to be
empty, as the high back of the drivers seat eff
fectually concealed the dropping form OF the
little milliner But when she stood up and
certainly looked from side to side, as if almost
decided to Jump, he threw his hat to the ground
and edged farther into the road.
If she expected the wayfarer to hurl himself
at the heads of the horses, she moderated his
good senses. Instead he turned, just the
coach came within a rod of him, and ran madly
ahead of it. Even in her bewlldered fright 1t
seemed foolish thing for him to do. Then as
the coach passed him she saw his face. His
IlOIlNt III RACING Will was uo"
obvious: his momentum great when
they passed him that he was not distanced but
was able to clutch the trunk rack behind
The rest was simple.
In a few seconds he had clambered over the
swaying seats, had clapped on the brake and
spoken sharply to the horses. Before he could
seize the reins the brutes, catching the old tone
of command, began to quiet down.
Thank you, thank you-Philander" she
whispered pressing one hand to her side.
Did you know it was | 7"
He ruff1ed his hair in feeling for his hat and
crossed his legs in half-turning to survey her,
and bowed moodily.
Where-where are you journeying tor" she
fa1tered.
The only journey I'm interested in is the
one to the grave" he replied. sinking his head
and driving mechanically with one hand.