Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-08-04

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A number of people stood on the
piazza of summer hotel leading into
Washington, now looking at their
watches and now up the road as If eX-
pecting something or somebody. Among
them was a young lady dressed evil
IDENTIFY for an automobile ride.
eff he gets here ut o'clock he'll be
an hour ahead of time" said one.
what time is he due In Washing
TOM" asked another.
"At c.
whats up on itF'
ooh, nothing valuable. It's gentS
mans race against time. A dozen
pairs OF gloves are all there is in it,"
"Here he comes now"
The last one OF these remarks was
scarcely spoken before a minute cloud
of dust was easily discernible up the
road An automobile appeared n mere
speck and began to grow in apparent
size In another minute it pulled up
at the steps of the hotel A young
man jumped out, calling for gasoline
and such other automobile equipments
as he needed. The lady mentioned
stepped up to him and said:
'Mr. Champlin, / believe"
81 am" replied the auto man, bow
ing and trying to get hold of his cap
to pull it off.
my cousin, Humphrey Cook, know
Ing that was here, that l adore auto
MODELLING and that wish to go to the
city. has written me that you would
stop here and possibly would take
me in"
Mr.. Champlin hesitated.
ell be no trouble" the lady added.
REALLY / should be delighted for
your company, but in case of any de
lay / may have to proceed at break
neck speed"
The faster you go the better l shall
like it,"
every well. I'm an hour ahead and
If nothing breaks shall have no trouble
in reaching the goal on time. Are you
ready"
81 am"
"Step in, Miss I beg your pardon.
didn't get your name"
''Hood-Jaqueline Hood replied the
girl
Mr.. Champlin started. "Jack Hoodr'
he exclaimed.
"The same. Is there anything about
Jack Hood that you don't like?"
'I've heard she's the worst feminine
daredevil the world has ever SEEN"
you've also heard probably that
she knows all about an auto. Perhaps
she may aid you in case of trouble"
By this time Miss Hood was settling
herself comfortably in the auto, tying
her veil under her chin. There was a
singular look on Champlin's face. He
had bet Humphrey Cook that he would
drive his auto TO New York and re-
turn by a given time Might not Cook
have sent this girl to delay him?
I'm sorry, Miss Hood" he said,
''but I've changed my mind about TAX
ing you"
81 haven't changed mine about GO
ing"
A bewitching smile lowered on her
lips, and her eyes danced with mis-
chief.
every WELL" he said, "Ill take you.
But remember that in case there's any
rascality perpetrated l shall treat YOU
just as if you were man."
Good, That's the way I wish to be
treated"
During this scene the onlookers had
gathered around the machine. and at
the last words some Of the men and
all the women clapped their hands.
Champlin got in, and the couple rolled
away, followed by cheers and the wav-
ing of handkerchiefs. In another min
ute nothing could be seen Of them but
q tiny dust cloud.
For an hour Miss Hood entertained
the driver Of the auto in such a way
as to make him forget everything but
her. Nevertheless his eye was on the
speed gauge and the clock, and moth
ing pertaining to winning his race was
neglected. There are women who can
do more with man in an hour than
other women can do In q lifetime.
Miss Hood simply absorbed him.
"Have you time to stop for a glass
Of milk" she asked.
Certainly"
'Well. there's q farmhouse off the
road up there. Would you mind get
ting one for meT"
Mr.. Champlin stopped before the
gate and went up to the house. A wo-
man answered his knock at the door,
and he went inside. He was no sooner
out Of sight than Miss Hood jumped
out, took n small nickel plated monkey
wrench from her pocket, unscrewed a
nut and put it in her pocket. She had
not finished her work before Champlin
reappeared with a glass of milk I'm his
hand. Miss Hood was awakened to
his presence by hearing the breaking
of glass on stone. Looking up, she
saw Champlln the picture Of astonish-
ment and chagrin. He knew that he
had been done"