The Detroit times., 1912-10-03

Ia. J."
I'VE are Packard" explained the
old gentleman stifiy.
Are your" said the Watermelon.
wholly unimprcssed by the informar
don well, ain't a Thomas"
Il called you by the name OF your
car. said the old gentleman. II sur.
mise that you have not had one long
i don't feel as II owned II now"
the Watermelon admitted.
The old gentleman smiled geniaiiy.
Anything was pardonable but hip-
pancy In response to his own utter
ances, none OF which was. ever lack
ing In weight or importance. The
young man, IL seemed. was only ier
norant.
Are you in troubie?- he asked with
a CLEAN OF anticipated pleasure In
his eyes. To tinker with q machine
anu accomplish nothing but q crying
need for an Immediate bath was his
dearest recreation.
No said the Watermelon. think
ing OF the three-tens In the pocket Of
the new clothes and Of the lonely
swimmer. / ain't--yet"
The old gentleman was vaguely dis
appointed Can yon run your ma
chine?' he asked. hopeful OF a reply
In the negative.
NO" said the Watermelon.
Won't go, chr" The old gentle
man turned of the power In his car
and stepped forth, agilely. joyfully,
prepared to do irreparable damage to
the strangers car. He drew OF his
| gloves and slipped them into his
pocket, then for a moment he hesi-
tated.
Where is your chauffeur"
Il haven't one" said the Watermel
on.
The old gentleman disapproved.
Until you know more about your
machine, you should have one" said
he oratorically Il am practically an
expert, and yet always take: mine
with me-" .tl a4t7 fsgass
He waved aside any comment on
his own meritortous conduct and
foresight and turned To the machine.
There Ia probably something the
matter with the carburetor," said he,
and raised the hood.
Probably admitted the Water.
melon. alighting and peering into the
engine beside the old gentleman.
Father" suggested the lady gent
| ly, maybe you had better let Al
phonse--"
Alphonse. sure OF the reply, made
no move TO alight and assist.
The old gentleman, with head near.
iy out OF sight, peering here and
there. tapping this and sounding that.
replied with evident annoyance. Ger.
tainly not Henrietta. am perfectly
capable s@
His words trailed on into vague
lmutterings. =.
The Watermelon glanced at the
lady, girl or woman, he was not. sure
which. Between 30 and a5. the un-
conquerable youth of the modern age
radiated from every fold OF her dain.
~ frock, from the big hat and grace
ful veil. Her hair was soft and brown
and thick. her month was rather
large. thin-lipped and humorous. and
yet pathetic. the mouth OF one who
laughs through tears, seeing the
piteous so closely 'intermingled with
the amusing. Her eyes we're brown.
clever, with delicate brows and a
high. smooth forehead. The Water
| melon decided that she was not
pretty. but distinctly classy. She was
watching him with amused approval,
oddly mingled with wistfulness, for
the Watermelon was young and tall
and graceful, good-lookIng and boy.
ish. Eis mans mouth and square
chin were overtopped by his laugh
ing woman's eyes. soft and gentle
and dreaming. face that fascinated
men az well as women And he was
young and she was-A-J5 He smiled
at the friendliness he saw In her eyes
and turned to the old gentleman, who
was now thoroughly absorbed.
II need a monkey-wrench," said he,
I thought at first that there was some.
thing the matter with the carburetor,
| but think now that II must be In the
crank shaft assembly"
| "Oh, yes" agreed the Watermelon
vaguely, and got the wrench from the
tool-box as directed.
II think that maybe you had bet.
ter let US tow you TO some garage, .
said the lady timorously, her voice
barely audible above the old gentle
mans noisy administrations.
Search me-" returned the Water,
melon, standing by 20 lend assistance
with every tool from the box in his
arms or near by where he could
reach IL Instantly at an imperious
, command
Automobiles, said the lady, "are
like the modern sehoolmarms always
breaking down" ~'
Like hoboes,' suggested the Wat
ermelon. always broke"
The old gentleman Strengthened up
There is something the matter with
the gasoline inlet valve" he an.
nonnced firmly.
"The whole car must be rotten.
surmised the Watermelon, catching
| the oil-can as II was about to slip
from his already oyer-burdened hands
mo, no. returned the old gentle
man reassuringly as he buttoned
| his long linen duster securely. THE
crank shaft seems to be all right, but
| the"
lie knelt down, still talking, and
the Watermelon bad horrible fear
| for a moment that his would-be bene-
factor was about 90 offer up prayers
for the safety OF the car. He reach
cd ont his hand 10 stay proceedings
when the.oid gentleman spoke:
Il must get under the car
/ "Maybe It's all right" suggested
the Watermelon, who did not like the
idea OF being forced 20 go after him
! NTH tho fpala.