Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-26
never before out here, In this place

never before out here, In this place."
There was q pause, filed by the soft
monotone Of insults drifting from the
side OF the limousine, for Rupert talk
ed while he worked and his fellow
worker did not please, him.
Wrench, baby hippo! Oh. look be-
hind you where you put it-you need a
memory course. You ought to be
passing spools to q lady with sew
Ing machine. Did you ever see a
motor car before? There. pump her
up. do" He rose, drew out his watch
and glanced at it. Five minutes! I'll
have to beat that day after tomorrow"
The driver looked over at him and
their eyes laughed together. Now,
for the first time, the girl noticed that
across the shoulders of both mems
jerseys ran in silver letters the name
Of famous foreign automobile.
II am very grateful, indeed" she
said bravely and graciously. II wish
could say more, or say 1t better. The
journey will be short, now
But all her dignity could not check
the frightened shrinking Of her glance,
first toward the interior of the linn
CUISINE and then toward the man who
was to enter there with her. And the
driver Of the gray machine saw 1t.
I'VE have done very little" he re-
turned. MAY put you In your carr"
The chauffeur was gathering his,
tools, speechlessly outraged, and
making ready to start. Seated among
the rugs and cushions, under the light
of the luxurious car, the girl deliber-
ately drew off her glove and held out
her small uncovered hand to the
driver Of the gray machine.
Thank you," she said again, meet
Ing his eyes with her own, whose dark
ness contrasted oddly with the blonde
curls clustered under her hood.
"You are not afraid to drive into the
city alone?" he asked.
alone! Why, my cousin"
>"Your cousin is going to stay with
me-"
She flung back her head; amaze
ment, question, relief struggled over
her sensitive face, and finally melted
into irrepressible mirth under the fine
amusement of his regard.
You are clever-and kind, to do
thai! No, am not afraid"
He closed the door.
Take your mistress home." he
babe the chauffeur. Crank for him,
Rupert"
why. why" stammered the lin
CUISINES other passenger, turning as
the motor started.
No one needed aim.
"By-by, don't break any records"
Rupert called after the chauffeur.
Hold yourself in, do. II you shed any
more tires, telegraph for me, and IL
Pm within days run I'll come put
them on for you and save you time"
Silence closed in again, as the red
tail-light vanished around bend. The
gray cars driver nodded CURLY to the
stupefled youth in the middle of the
road.
Unless you want to stay here all
night, you'd better get in the ma
chine" he suggested. my names
Lestrange- suppose yours Is
Ffrench?"
dick French. But, see here. you
mean we'll, but I'm going with my
cousin. I'd like drive with you, but
I'm busy
you're not fit to go with your
cousin"
Not"
"Fit," completed Lestrange definite
ly. "Can you hang on somewhere,
Rupert?"
Il cam" Rupert assured, with an In
Election of his own. Get your friend
aboard"
Lestrange was already in his seat,
waiting.
whats that for?" asked the dazed
guest, as on taking his place, strap
was slipped around his waist, secur.
ing him to the seat.
$50 you won't fall out" soothed the
grinning Rupert. "You amt well, you
know. Not that I'd care if you did,
but somebody might blame Darling"
The car leaped forward, gathering
speed to an extent that was revela-
ton in motoring to Nrench. The
keen air, the giddy rush through the
dark. were SOLDERING tonic. After
while he spoke to the man beside
him, nervously embarrassed by sit
uation he was beginning to apprecite.
"This is racing carr"
SIT was"
"Isn't 1t now?"
III 1 were going to race it day after
tomorrow, I wouldn't be risking It
over country road tonight. A racing
machine is petted like race horse I'M
til it is wanted"
"And them"
at takes it's chances. II you are
connected with the Trenches who
manufacture the Mercury car, you
should know. something Of automobile
racing yourself noticed the linn
CUISINE was Of that MAKE"
Eyes, that is my uncle's company. I
did see a race at Coney Island. A
car turned over and killed it's driver
and made nasty muss. IL didn't
fancy it."
A wheel slipped off stone, giving
the car a swerving lurch which was as
instantly corrected-with a second
lurch-by its pilot. The effect was
not tranquilizing; the shock swept the
last confusion from Ffrench's brain.
Where are you taking me?" he
presently asked.
Where do you want to go? will
set you down at the next village we
come to; you can stay there tonight
or you can get trolley to the city"
C. IN IN a