The Ordway new era., 1910-11-25
CHAPTER v.-Contlnued. .

why. that's too bad!" said my
wife sincerely. though somewhat sur
prisedly. I'm awfully sorry. dear
child. and we shall miss you. of
course. But you mustn't think Of
going II your head aches. Go up
stairs and lie down while. why
don't you. and I'll have some tea
sent up to you. It's awfully good
for headache" And she spoke to
the footman who waited at the door
Of the automobile.
Il will. thanks. Sorry to miss the
trip" replied tho girl. You're an
angel. Agatha!" And with another
farewell word or two we left her and
had started on our way to Northbury.
And now comes the very strangest
part Of this rather strange or at least
unusual attempt to make a match and
win fortune for n friend at one and
the same time on the part Of Dearest
and myself. BY Jove. It certainly
did give me a start when I discovered
but this was the way it happened
NOT to get ahead Of my story.
We had made a pretty quick run
to Northbury and had been
spectators at an exhibition Of some
rather fast cricket which had been
pretty keen about. The two teams
had played even until the second half.
when Corcoran who was guarding the
wicket for the Lowshires-but I don't
suppose the details Of the game are
Of very general interest. after all.
Odd thing. but I've never been able
to make Dearest understand It at
ALL gave up trying years ago. It's
the only thing in the world we aren't
equally enthusiastic about. She won't
admit It. but sometimes I'm afraid it's
because she prefers the American
game of baseball! Fancy! But Of
course II she does it's all the fault
Of that American stepfather Of hers
for bringing her up in the States. But
then, naturally. he couldn't help
being an American-I try to remem-
ber that!
As was saying. however. we had
seen the match played to the end in
spite Of the languid interest dis
played by the feminine members of
our party. and had lunched at the
Northbury inn. jolly little den Of
q place, and at about half after two
were speeding towards home again.
The roads were fairly decent.
though there had been a good deal
of rain lately. and the machine had
been running along SO smoothly that
It did my heart good to see her. We
had left the main road when we had
passed Wye village. for one that led
more directly to the castle. and had
slowed down as the road turned out
to be rougher than thought-when
the worst happened. l was driving
myself, and in steering to clear a
1utting tree l ran the big car straight
into the dickens of a rut and our hind
wheel went in to stay. ! killed the
engine at once and jumped out to
see what was to be done. disguised
enough, can tell you. though of
couf.e l couldn't possibly have known
the thing was so deep. for 1t was half
filled with water. This short cut Is
a favorite one Of mine. though my
chau1eurs have often warned me
against taking big car through the
woods that cover Wyckoff rise at this
point. The trees are so thick and
the road so narrow.
The worst of the business now. as
I soon found out. was that there was
no Jack to be found in the cars Kit
of tools with which to raise her. and
!" remembered with chagrin that l
had taken It out myself In hunting
for something else and had left 1t IN
the garage Even the satisfaction OF
1,.,i,,u ,,,,o ono also was denied me