Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1910-12-01

her7 She might be, like himself, a
visitor In the city. But there was the
touring car. Well, she might have
run in from one of the suburbs. He
could think OF no better plan than TO
call that evening on the Wallinghams
and describe the unknown to Bessie
and try to get her assistance. Bessie
would divine the situation, and she
would guy him numerically, he knew;
but he would face even that for an
other glimpse of the girl of the car.
And at that moment he was start
led by a sharp explosion. He looked
to the street. There was the black
car, bumping along with one fat tire.
The girl threw on the brakes and
came to a stop.
In an instant Orme was in the
street. If he thought that she would
not remember him, her first glance al
tered the assumption, for she looked
down at him with a ready smile and
said: you see, do need you again,
after ALL"
AS for Orme, he could think Of
nothing better to say than simply: Il
am glad" With that he began to I'M
fasten the spare tire.
Il shall watch you with interest"
she went on. Il know how to run a
car-though you might not think it
but / don't know how to repair one."
That's a mans job, anyway" said
Orme, busy now with the jack, which
was slowly raising the wheel from
the pavement.
Shall l get out?" she asked. Does
my weight make any difference?"
mot at ALL" said Orme; but, never
theless, she descended to the street
and stood beside him while he worked.
81 didn't know there were all those
funny things inside" she unused.
Orme laughed. Her comment was
vague, but to him 1t was enough just
to hear her voice. He had gotSthe
wheel clear of the street and was
taking off the burst tire.
I'VE seem fated to meet" she said.
Orme looked up at her. Il hope you
won't think me cad" he said, IF /
say that / hope we may meet many
times"
Her little frown warned him that
she had misunderstood.
do you happen to know the Tom
Wallinghams? he asked.
Her smile returned. Il know a
Tom Wa1li9gham and Bessie Wall
.;gghe5ea o,Food friends Of mine.
D n.4a e. e.. Tx that they might intro
ri his stand ON az.
In fonr one.act she vouchsafed, IF
,I,sty plays, one opsee US Do'n a. 'ne
ne Mai ed to his task. The
d, I'D thatG ways gathers was now
G. rs about I'm, and there was little
opportunity fHr talk He> finished his
job neatly, and slowed away the old
tire.
She was In the car before he could
offer to help her. Thank you again"
she said.
IF only you will let me arrange 1t
with the Wallinghams," he faltered.
Il win think about it." She smiled.
He felt that she was slipping away.
Give me some clue" he begged.
Where is your spirit of romance?"
she rallied at him; then apparently re-
lenting: Perhaps the next time we
meet"
Orme groaned With little nod
like that which had dismissed him at
the time of his first service to her,
she pulled the lever and the car
moved away.
ITumult in his breast, Orme walked
on. He watched the black car thread
its way down the street and disappear
around corner Then he gave him
self over to his own bewildering re-
Elections, and he was still busy with
them when he found himself at the
entrance of the Pere Marquette. He
had crossed the Rush street bridge
and found his way up to the Lake
Shore drive almost without realizing
whittier he was going.
Orme had come to Chicago at the
request of eastern clients to meet half
way the owners of western mining
property. When he registered at the
Annex he found awaiting him a tele-
gram saying that they had been de-
tanned at Denver and must necessari-
ly be two days late Besides the tele'
gram, there had been a letter for him
"a letter from his friend, Jack Bax-
ter. to whom he had written of his
coming. Jack had left the city on
business, it appeared, but he urged
Orme to make free of his North side
anartment. So Orme left the Annex
and went to the rather too gorgeous,
but very luxurious, Pere Marquette,
where he found that the STAFF had
been instructed to keep close eye
on his comfort All this had hap
pened but three short hours ago.
After getting back to the apartment
orme's first thought was to telephone
TO Bessie Wallingham. He decided.
however. to wait till after dinner. He
Ala not like to appear too eager. SO
ba went down to the public dining
room and ate what was placed before
him and returned to his apartment
Just at dusk.
In n few moments he got Bessie
~ ,,,.hon, IN the wire,