The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-07
PART SECOND.
CHAPTER u-Continued.


We walked down the path as gleefully
as children playing truant, and, arrived
at the stable. she proposed that we so
in to examine my machine, which she
was anxious TO try. The dogs had been
shut UP in the harness room, and as soon
as we approached, they set up a discord-
ant barking. Edna scowled and went
70 the door to look In.
'Stop that noisel' she commanded irri-
tably. new chorus assailed her.
She had opened the door only a crack.
but, as she spoke. Nokomis wriggied
through, forcing it open. and, crouehing
in front Of her. ears laid back. growled
angrily. Quick as a flash Edna took up
short whip that stood in the corner and
dashed at the bitch. Nokomis was upon
her in an instant. and. before / could
prevent, had seized her ankle and nipped
it severely. Edna screamed and struck
again, this time with the butt of the
whip, hitting Nokomis squarely on the
forehead
Yeiping. Nokomis released her hold and
with her tail between her legs dashed
out Of the stable door and disappeared.
Meanwhile, I had closed the door of the
harness room and had run to Edna Her
face was white, with sudden rage rather
than pain Nokomis had given her only
nip-the skin was not cut
III have them all shot tomorrow, If
have to do it myself she cried.
did my best TO calm her. and in a
few moments she had recovered her tenn
per enough TO laugh at the episode,
though her spite against Nokomis re-
mqfnad Cha II ia a fr.T,
Of the motor. which she examined with
great intelligence
Luncheon was ready when we reached
the house and we went into the dining
room. Here il was dim and cool and we
fell naturally into a more placid humor
Edna seemed less the impetuous, ire
sponSible child she had been that fore
noon, and ] got my first hint of what
was Characteristic OF her in this condi-
tion-that, as the day wore on, she
seemed to grow steadily older and more
developed mentally.
over her shoulder the tapestry paper
showed picture OF the combat between
James FitZ-James and Roderick Dhu: be-
hind her the door opened and shut from
times 10 time admitting King with his
dainty dishes He came and went IKE a
ghost all in white while Leah, in a
dark gown to-day. lowered like a shadow
In the kitchen.
Edna had an amusing and not I'M
pleasant sort OF gaminerie at table She
was fond OF selecting the daintiest. lit
tlest piece Of celery from the dish and
tossing 1t over 10 my plate She did not
hesitate 10 use her fingers in cunning.
unconventional ways, not as If she knew
no better. but as If she knew herself 10
be pretty enough and charming enough
TO invest the solecism with a personal
indulgent humOr So she dipped her
bread in the gravy audaciously. so she
crushed her Strawberries with her fork
10 red weiter OF pulp. and added cream
with a flourish. She carried it off per
fectly; it was quite a distracting sight.
At O'Clock we got out my machine
and set out for the station to meet Dr.
Coptn, she guiding the car according 10
my instructions. She was an apt pupil.
and though the first stretch OF rough
lane required considerable skill In
handling the motor, we got out 10 the
highroad without accident and put on
top speed. The excitement OF il bindied
her spirits and a dangerous light shone
in her eyes. She was bareheaded and
the wind brought a fine glow TO her
cheeks.
Isn't It great" she exclaimed. I'm
going to get a car the first thing
do"
Her touch was clever and firm on the
wheel, and she passed from one speed
10 another and handled the spark like an
expert, already. There was no time for
much coquetry now, but / got a glance
now and then on the straight level runs.
Gha IN 70 fha gfa with IS Il
and my hand. though ready to help her.
was not needed. I congratulated her
upon her skill, and she was pleased as a
child.
"Oh. I'm going to show the doctorr'
she cried. You wait till he gets in and
I'll give him n run for his money!
The train appeared in a few minutes.
and DR.. Copin. with his professional
bag. got out from the parIor car. He
seemed to be much surprised at see
ing me. 1 thought that 1 detect
ed something Ike annoyance, too, in
his expression. wondered if she had not
informed him Of my being at Midmead-
ows when she had telephoned in the
He greeted me cordially
enough, however, inquired as 10 my con-
dition. made a dull joke about my ribs,
and got into the back seat of the car
kept my place in front beside Edna,
coaching her as We went along.
I talked commonplace 10 the doctor,
who replied laconically. and Edna. being
absorbed with her work. kept quiet, her
lips closed tightly. her eyes on the road
ahead, waiting for her chance TO make
speed. After We had got little outside
the village there was a sharp upgrade,
and I saw her hand fly 10 the speed lever.
BE careful how you throw in that
clutch" I warned her. Give it to her
easy, noWi"
Her thought was all for impressing the
doctor with her ability as a chauffeuse,
however. and she was too impatient. She
released the clutch and threw her lever
back to second speed. BY the time she
dropped her clutch back in again, how
ever, the car had lost momentum. stop
ped. and begun TO roll down hin, the en-
CINE still going furiously. The gears
meshed, but something had to give under
the strain. and with a snap the chain
parted. The freed motor shook the car
with its velocity. I grabbed the throttle
from her, stopped the engine. set the
brake, and the car came TO a standstill.
"Ohi" she walled, I've broken some
thing, haven't II"
I'm afraid you have" I answered.
laughing. But III see what can be
done"
crawled underneath the car. taking