New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-14
CHAPTER VI.
A Midsummer Nights Vagaries

CYNTHIA was rather pale when Medenham stopped
- the car close beside her. She had been on tenter
hooks during the last quarter OF an hour There were
silent when she measured her own slim figure
against the naty Counts in half formed resolution to
take to her heels along the Cheddar Road.
At first she had enjoyed the greatly. Although
Dale spoke OF Smith mechanic, the a first
rate driver and he spun the Du EaOn along its best
speed But the change from good maCadam to none
soon made itself felt, and Cynthia more troubled
than she cared to show when the French ter came to
standStill after painting and lOung aarmlngly among
the ruts. Margny excited questions evoked only IN
intclligble gruntS from Smith. For all that, the Irr
tating truth could not be withheld-the petrol tank
empty, Not only had the chauffeur forgotten to fill it
that morning, but. by some STRANGE m1schance the
supply usually held in reserve had been LETT at Bristol
The Frenchman was very angry with Smith, and
Smith was humbly apOlOgetc- The pair must have
acted cOnvincingly because each knew to nicely how
soon gallon OF petrol would vapOnze IN the Du WALTON
six cylinders Having taken the pTeCautIOn to measure
that exact quantity the tank before leaving Ched
dar they prepared for a 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 mishap, By taking that line she strove to
sure herself "Fitzroy IS always prepared for energen
cie~" she said. He will soon catch up with us But
what road. I didn't really notice it before. Surely
this cannot be the only highway between Bristol and
Cheddar2 And in England. too, where the roads
perfect"
There are two roads; but this is the nearest one
explained the glib tongued Count, seemingly much
lieved by the prospect OF Fltzroy early arrival You
don't deserve be pulled out OF difficulty promptly
Smith" he went on, ewing the chauffeur sterny.
There's village not far very ahead, sir said the
abashed Smith
'Oh. never mind, We must wait for Miss Vanrenen-
car"
Watt inquired Cynthia. What else can We do2"
Il take It he meant to walk to some village and bring
& stock OF spirit.
Oh deari hope no such thing viii be necessary"
FROM that half hint OF latent and highly dsagreeabie
Developments dated Cynthia uneasiness. She &C
caDe4 Narignvs suggestion that they should stroll to
the TOD Of the Slight hill rlst descended whence they
would be able to watch their resCuer approach from
considerable GistanCe.-Shc even remembered TO tell
him TO Srnoke-but she answered his lively salleS at
random and agreed unreservedy with his volubIe self
reDroaCh.
ing access to sheep Enclosures the hills, caused her
small DerDextv. though She 1T not 10 add 70 her
companion distress BY commenting on it. In any other
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 nearer each second, tor
babe the rreuOrS that any similar accident must nave
evoked IT, say. they were marOoned on some remote
mountain range Of the Continent, and no friendly car
was speeding to their and
The TWO halted the rising ground. and one OF them
at least gazed anxiousv into the purple shadows now
rleuowing the gray nonotony OF the plateau. he point
where the Du EaOn LETT the main road was Invisible
from where they stood. AIarigny had laid his plans
with skill: SO his humorous treatment OF their phght
was not married by any lurking fear Of the Mercury
unwelcone appearance
What terrible collapse this would be il l were run
ming away with YOU, Miss Cynthia. he SAID sIyIE
Let Us imagine a priest waiting IN some ancient
castle ten miles away, and an rate father or par OF