The Washburn leader., 1910-07-15
A KISS
lie Was Forgiven Only Because
She Was Equally
culpable.
By F. TOWNSEND SMITH.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
By +. TOWNSEND SMITH.

1Qe QlSQC was Qark as EroDuS. ~
rained, the wind blew, and the streets
were flooded.
There are two suburban towns
Bloomington and Rosedale-near the
city in which have an Office, my res
idence being in one Of these towns.
They are five miles apart and were at
the time Of which I write connected
by an execrable road. live in Rose
dale, but on this wild night was in
Bloomington attending social gath
ering. telephoned for cab. but q
reply came over the wire that not a
conveyance was to be had
Turning up my trousers. buttoning
my coat and opening my umbrella. 1
sailed forth. trusting that might
pick up some conveyance to hire.
I found nothing in the way Of We
hicle on the streets and. reaching the
town limits. left street lamps behind
me. pushing on into the darkness. /
had walked or waded perhaps half a
mile when. seeing something dark
ahead of me close by the sidewalk. l
approached it curiously. What was
my surprise to find a carriage. This
I knew rather by feeling than sight
l groped my way to its front. and
there were two horses standing, with
their heads lowered. patiently endur-
ing the rain. took my matchbox
from my pocket and. drawing forth
match.it was the only one left-struck
it. 1t was extinguished by the wind.
but not before had caught glimpse
of coachman in waterproofs on the
box. leaning back against the body of
the carriage fast asleep.
shouted to him. then shook him. 1t
was some time before aroused him
and then could get nothing out of him
as to how he came to be in such a
singular position. Indeed, he didn't
seem to know. He asked If l was the
man who had been beside him awhile
ago. l asked him for what point be
had been headed when be had drop
ped of to sleep. and he said Rosedale.
Every WE'LL" replied. "start up
your horses and we'll go there"
l thought 1t better for me to remain
beside him till he became fully awak-
ened, fearing he would fall off the box.
stayed by him till we had gone per-
haps mile. when he seemed In better
condition. and. since was getting
drenched. I concluded to get inside the
carriage. directed him to pull up
and. dismounting from my perch.
found the handle Of the door and In
another moment was sitting on the
rear seat.
There was curious odor inside
which l had smelled before. but could
not remember what it was. The win
dow was closed. and opened it. !
thought would smoke. but remember
ed that had used my last match.
The jolting of the carriage was such
that braced myself in my corner
Dropping my hand beside me, it light
ed on some delicate fabric like silk. l
was astonished. but had cause for
more astonishment when in another
moment. the carriage passing over a
hollow place in the road. some one
was thrown up against my shoulder.
Instinctively put out my hands for
protection and encountered woman.
l was seized with u desire to get out
Of the carriage despite the storm and
without waiting for 1t to stop. call
ed to the driver. who drew up. and !
asked him If he knew who was in his
to- ckil 1n0oA ,Nf
any rate 50 far us memory goes. and
said that he didn't know that there
was any one inside. Then be said he
had started with lady. but he didn't
know whether she had left him or not.
There was silence for moment. and
could hear the person beside me
breathing. judged that we were
midway between Bloomington and
Rosedale. We might as well go on as
60 back. There were few houses OF
the way. and the people in them were
all abed. II told the driver to drive as
fast as the road would admit. There
was some one in the carriage who
might need medical attention.
He whipped up his horses. and the
jolting was terrible 1t occurred to
me that It would awaken any one
with spark Of life. To facilitate
matters l let down the other window
90 as to give plenty Of air. Within ten
minutes had evidence that my COM.
panion was moving voluntarily; then
Q gasp.
Where am 1? What q TT
Don't be frightened" said.
HAS he gomez
'Who?'' 3.s
.'The man who got In beside me and
held cloth against my face:
'Oh! That's the explanation. is it?"
''My broteh lit IL gomez
Anything else missing? r
Il had nothing else with me. But
how did you come to be bere1''
All this was spoken in frightened
voice, and 4 knew that she was draw
ing away from me ! told her what
she wished to know. Then she en-
5lightened ms. still further. She said
that while passing out of Bloomington
the carriage Ind StOpDed. and she