Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-03-03
CHAPTER II.-continued.

An errant cabby, cruising aimlessly
but hopefully, sighted Maitland's tall
figure and white shirt from a distance,
and bore down upon him with gal
liant clatter of hoofs.
'Kebsir?" he demanded, breathless-
ly, pulling in at the corner.
Maitland came out of his reverie and
looked up slowly. why, yes, thank
you." he assented, amiably.
where to, sir?"
Maitland paused on the forward
deck of the craft and faced about, look
ing the cabby trustfully in the eye. Il
leave it to you," he replied, politely.
"Just as you please"
The driver gasped.
you see," Maitland continued with
a courteous smile, Il have two engage
ments-one at Sherry's, the other with
the 1920 train from Long Island City.
What would you, as man to man, ad-
wise me to do, cabby?"
We'll, sir, seem as you put 1t to
me straight" returned the cabby with
engaging candor, I'D go home, sir, If
was you, afore got any worse"
THANK you," gravely. Long Island
City depot, then, cabby."
Maitland extended himself languid-
ly upon the cushions. Surely" he
told the night, 'the driver knows best
he and Bannerman."
The cab started off jogging so Sc
dately up Madison avenue that Matt
land glanced at his watch and elevated
his brows obviously; then with his
stick poked open the trap in the roof.
"If you really think it best for me
to go home, cabby, you'll have to drive
like hell" he suggested, mildly.
"Yessir!"
A whip-lash cracked loudly over the
horses back, and the hanson, lurch-
ing into Thirty-fourth street on one
wheel, was presently jouncing eastward
over rough cobbles, at a regardless
pace which reused the gongs of the
surface cars to clangor of hysterical
expostulation. In trice the IL" ex-
tension was roaring overhead and a
little later the ferry gates were yawn-
ing before them. Again Maitland con-
suited his watch, commenting briefly:
''In time"
Yet he reckoned without the ferry,
one of whose employees deliberately
and implacably swung to the gates in
the very face of the astonished cab
horse, which promptly rose upon its
hind legs and paved the air with ges-
lures Of pardonable evaporation. To
no avail, however; the gates remained
closed, the cabby with language)
reined his steed back yard or two,
and Maitland, lighting cigarette,
composed himself to simulate patience.
Followed wait of ten minutes or
so, in which number of vehicles
Joined company with the cab; the pas.
senger was vaguely aware of the jar.
ring purr of motor car, like that OF
some huge cat, in the immediate rear.
A circumstance which he had occasion
to recall ere long.
In the course of time the gates were
again opened. The bridge cleared OF
incoming traffic. AS the cabby drove
aboard the boat, with nice considera.
ton selecting the choicest stand OF
all, well out upon the forward deck
motor car slid in, humming, on the
right of the hanson.
Maitland sat forward, resting his
forearms on the apron, and jerked his
cigarette out over the gates; the glow.
ing stub described fiery arc and took
the water with hiss. Warm whiffs
of the rivers sweet and salty breath
famed his face gratefully. and he be-
came aware that there was moon
His gaze rowing at will, he nodded an
even-tempered appreciation Of the
nights splendor-in the city a thing
unsuspected.
Never, he thought, had he known
moonlight so pure. so silvery and