Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-13
Her
Auto Ride
The Best Laid Plans Go
Awry.
BY CLARISSA N1ACKIE.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

NM anu uIeW snarp breath OF APP
probation. A line OF distant blue In
dlcated the sea. In the foreground
were green clad slopes running down
10 snowy beaches. The roofs OF the
village pointed up among the trees.
ana church spire cleaned like fire.
ihere were white sails beyond and
the black drift OF smoke from u pass
ing steamer.
This is lots better than going to
Aunt Edith's poky musicale" sighed
Annabelle mutinously. Just fancy
spending this glorious afternoon I'm n
hShted drawing room listening to the
great Avian Eldred. master OF the
VIOLIN and being disillusioned by long
hair' greasy cont collar and pervad-
ing presence OF garlicw Annabelle's
DAINTY nose shifted scornfuly ut her
imaginary portrait OF the great violin
ISL or whom her aunt had rayed for
weeks.
I'm going down. down to the very
edge or tho sea"
AS the, machine sped downward An
nabelle was suddenly conscious that
something was wrong. The brakes did
not respond TO her frantic pressure.
the levers grated harshly without eff
rect, ana there was an unfamiliar
Srlntlng sound from beneath her feet.
She had been down this same hill
many times before, slowly. cautiouslv
She knew that from the foot OF the
NH the street ran down 10 the waters
edge. ending at the broad dock where
the boats landed
Nothing could stop her speed unless
the color left her cheeks us she real
ized the almost certain death that con.
Ironted her. Her lips set In "A straight
inc, ana her eyes shone steadily. II
one hnd to meet death at the close OF
lovely August day when-why. one
might as well meet It bravely.
Faster she went, her eyes. dark with
dread, hxed on wide, opening on the
right. Thanked by stone pillars. Il
seemed to mark the entrance to some
estate. The few pedestrians turned
and watched her flight with disap-
proval; constable held up q warning
hand; wagon scuttled into the side
walk TO avoid her coming.
Annabelle turned the steering wheel
and sigh OF relief nuttered from her
Ups as the machine responded, but
there was no lessening OF the mad
speed. Wildly It tore through tho
open gateway. ground into the hard
packed earth OF the drive, skidded
along muddy spot under the trees.
left the drive and pounded along soft
green turf. miraculously avoiding tree
trunks. making straight for the large
Drown house set I'm the midst OF the
grounds.
Another twist OF the wheel and the
house seemed 10 glide past. Before
her was distant blur of gorgeous
colors-a flower garden in the midst
OF which was summer house. To the
left was turfy bank. Her head
dropped on her hands that clutched
the wheel, ana she closed her eyes and
prayed.
There was n low shout beside her:
the machine jolted under additional
weight; pair OF strong hands gripped
the wheel from hers; there was the
pressure OF brakes; the motor slowed
suddenly bumped into some obstruc-
ton and then bounded back to n stand
still.
Its all over now" said n kindly
voice.
Annabelle opened her eyes and
looked fearfully forth on the summer
house still crcakinR from the force OF
encounter. on the crushed flowers she
had moved down and lastly into the
countennnce Of man who sat beside
her I'm the car.
IT was then that Annabelle realized
that she was holding the stranger in
frantic embrace, her hands tightly
clasped about his neck, her fair head
perilously near HIS broad shoulder
u beg your pardon" Annabelle's
face turned 10 deepest rose as she
hastily withdrew from him. but her
hair had caught I'm button OF his
coat. holding It firmly by one long
golden strand.
Just n moment. There don't wnnt
10 hurt you It's or now" lie spoke
In matter OF fact tone ms ~ he was
in the habit Of ensnariDg lovely maid
ems with coat buttons every day OF
his life I'm afraid you are pretty
VOL shaken up with your ride. You
had narrow escape" lie had allght-
ed and helped Annabelle 60 the ground.
She leaned weakly against the sum
mer house you must have saved my
life. Did you-did you really leap on
the step as I passed?' She was be
ginning 10 realize what had happened
He nodded carelessly 1T was easy
enough. You see. one gets practice in
that sort Of thing chasing the street
cars" Then, observing her with con
corn IN his gray eyes, he went on
Come and SIT down I'm the summer
house; you must be pretty well knock
ed under with the strain. After you
have had cordial perhaps you may
feel able 10 tell how II happened that