Putnam patriot., 1911-12-08
CHAPTER |.


 grind of set brakes.
 In the blending glare of the search lights from the two machines, the grav one arriving and the Limousine drawn to the roadside, the young girl stood, her hand still extended in the gesture which had stopped the man who now leaned across his wheel.
 aOh. please" she appealed again.
 On either side stretched away the Long Island meadows, dark, sound less. apparently uninhabited. Only this spot of light broke the monotony of dreariness. A keen, chill, October wind sighed past, stirring the girls delicate gown as it's folds lay un- needed in the dust, fluttering her fur. lined cloak and shaking two or three childish curls from the bondage of her velvet hood. The driver swung himself down and came toward her with the unhasting swiftness of one trained to the unexpected.
 q beg pardon-ean l be of some use?" he asked.
 We are lost" she confessed hur- riedIy. If you could set us right, I should be grateful I've must get home soon. l have been a guest at a house somewhere here, and started to return to New York this afternoon. The chauffeur does not know Long Island we cannot seem to find any place. And now we have lost a tire. l was afraid"
 She broke off abruptly, as her com panfon descended from the limousine.
 We only want to know the way; we're all right he explained. This is my cousin; l came out after her, you s9e. Don't get so worried, Elm ily-we1l go straight on as soon as Anderson changes the tire"
 He huddled his words slightly and spoke too rapidly the round, good humored face he turned to the white light was too flushed; otherwise there was nothing unusual in his appear anee. And his caste was evident and unquestionable in spite of any cir constance. There was no anger in girls dark eyes as she gazed straight before her, only pity and help less distress.
 q can tell your chauffeur the road, " the driver of the gray car quietly said. Have you far to go?'
 "To the St. Royal" she answered, looking at him. My uncle is there Is that far?"
 No; you can reach there by ten o'clock I will speak to your chauf- feur."
 Do, like a good fellow" the other man interposed. "Awfully obliged You're not angry, Emily he added lowering his voice, and moving near CT her. Since we're engaged why should you get frightened simply be- cause l proposed we get married to- night instead of waiting for big wedding? 1 thought it was good idea, you know It isn't my fault An dersen got lost instead of getting us home for dinner, is it?"
 Hush Dick" she rebuked, hot col or sweeping her face. You, you are not we'll. And we are not engaged; you forget Just because people want us to be-" Too proud to let her steadiness culver, she broke the sen tence.
 If the driver had heard, and it was scarcely possible that he had not, he made no sign. By the acetylene light he produced an envelope and pencil, and proceeded to sketch map show ing the route to the limousine's chaut- feur.
 Understand it?" he queried, con- cluding. He had a certain decision or manner not in the least arrogant, put the result of serene self-surety that somehow accorded with his 1.-the, trained grace of movement. A judge of men would have read him an ath- lete, perhaps in an unusual line.
 Yes, sir" the chauffeur replied. I'll get Miss French home in no time after l get the tire on.
 The indiscretion of the spoken name was ignored, except for slight lift of the hearers eyebrows.
 How long does it take you to change a tire?"
 About half an hour; it's night of course"
 An odd, choking gurgle sounded from the gray machine, where a dark ngure had sat until now in quieseent mute hess.
 Half an hour," echoed the gray machines driver, and faced toward the chuckle. Rupert. it isn't in your contract, but do you want to come over and change this tire?"
 I'll do it for you, Darling" was the sweet response; the small ngure rolled over the edge of the car with cat-like celerity. Where are your tools, you chauffeur? Quick
 The bewildered chauffeur mechan- leally reached for a box on the run hlng-board, as the young assistant came up. grinning all over his malieh dark face.
 Oh. quicker! Whats the matter Rheumatism? They wouldn't have yoc n training camp for motor trucAs on Sunday. Hustle. please"
 There never had been anythlhs cone to that sedate limousine quite as 'hls was done. Even the preoccupleo sirl looked on in fascination at raP nity of unwasted movement suggest ng conjuring feat
 By George." exclaimed her escort splendid man you've got there heally. a splendid chauffeur, you know."
 The driver smiled with a gleam oi Irony. but disregarded the comment "Would vo, Iita tn pet into your