Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-14
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi.
Midsummer Nights Vagaries
CYNTHIA was rather pale when Medenham stopped
~ the close beside her. She had been on tener-
hooks during the last quarter of hour. There were
silent moments when she measured her slim figure
against the natty Counts in half formed resolution
take to her heels along the Cheddar Road
At first she had enjoyed the greatly. Although
Dale spoke of Smith as mechanic, the first
rate driver and he spun the Du WALTON along best
speed. But the change from good macadam to none
made itself felt and Cynthia was more troubled
than she cared to show when the French fer
the ruts Marignys excited questions evoked only u-
ineligible grunts from Smith. For all that, the irr
tatng truth could not be withheld-the petrol tank
empty Not only had the chauffeur forgotten to fill it
that morning, but, by some STRANGE mischance, the
supply usually held in had been left Bristol
The Frenehman was very angry with Smith, and
Smith was humby apologetc. The pair must have
acted convnclngly because each knew to nicely how
soon gallon of petrol would vaporze in the D Vallon
six cylinders Having taken the precaution to
that exact quantity into the tank before leaving Ched
dar, they prepared for breakdown at any point
within few hundred yards of the precise locality where
it occurred. ~
CYNTHIA being generous minded tried to make little
of the mshap. By taking that line she to reas-
sure herself Fitzroy always prepared for emergen
cies," she said "He will soon catch up with U.S. But
what road! didn't really notice it before. Surely
this cannot be the only highway between Bristol and
Cheddar? And in England too, where the roads
perfect! e
There are two roads; but this is the nearest one"
explained the glib tongued Count, seemingly much
eved by the prospect of Fitzroys early arrival You
don't deserve to be pulled out of difficulty promptly
Smith,, he went on, eying the chauffeur sternly.
There's village not far very ahead, Sir, said the
abashed Smith.
ooh never mind. We must wait for Miss Vanrenen's
car"
WYATT" inquired Cynthia "What else can we dor"
Il take it he meant to walk to village and bring
a stock of spirit"
'Oh, dear! hope no such thing will be necessary"
FROM that half hint of latent and highly disagreeable
developments dated Cynthia's uneasiness She &C
cepted Margnys suggestion that they should stroll to
the top of the slight hill just descended whence they
would be able to watch their rescuers approach from
him smoke she answered his lively sales at
random and agreed unreservedy with his vouble self
reproach.
The obvious disuse of the road mere lane provd-
ing to sheep Enclosures the hills caused her
small perpexity, though she fit not to add to her
circumstances she would have been genuinely alarmed;
but her we'll established acquaintance with the Count
together with the apparently certain fact that Ftzroy
and Mrs. Devar coming each second, for
babe the that any similar accident must have
evoked if, say, they were marOoned on some remote
mountain range of the Continent and friendly
speeding to their aid.
The halted the rising ground and one of them,
at least, gazed anxiousy into the purple shadows
meowing the gray monotony of the plateau The point
from where they stood Mangny had laid his plans
with skill; his humorous treatment of their plight
not marred by any lurking fear of the Mercurys
unwelcome appearance.
"What terrible collapse this would be if | were
ming away with you Miss Cynthia!' he said slyy.
LET us imagine priest waiting in some ancient
castle ten miles away and rate father, pair of
Continued on