The Washington herald., 1912-09-15

Il will explain" began the gen
eral, with a hrmness that was fas
weakening.
Father" said Henrietta, you can
not explain Graft is dishonest. fTh
only thing we can do is to run" I
Billy grabbed up her gloves an,
obeyed with alacrity. Bartlett and tn,
general followed in dignifed majesty
Alphonse came last and shut each doc
as they passed through With no un
due haste. and yet with no lettering t<
admire perfect summer. morning. the,
climbed into the cars ,Alphonse alone
in the generals. the other five in Bart.
let's with Bartlett at the wheel
Shall we rush them?" suggested the
Watermelon, with happy anticipation.
Alphonse, like the voice of reason
calm, Unconditional, blase, spoke: There
is COW lane back of the barn. 1t Is
wide enough for the cars. 1t leads
into the road farther on. | left the
bars down."
you're a man, Alphonse," said the
Watermelon.
They glided without further COM
ment through the barn yard into the
rocky, tree-shaded cow lane The gen.
eral glanced behind. No one was in
sight The lane was narrow and rough,
last springs mud having hsrdened into
humps and ridges from the passing of
many feet The cars ran slowly of a
necessity, and while the engines throb-
bed, the noise was not loud, and the
slight hill on which the house stood
deadened the sound and concealed the
cars from any one in front.
Henrietta leaned toward the Water.
melon, who sat on the small seat just
in front of her and just behind the gen.
eral. On such an occasion as this"
she asked, what did father used to
ssyI
Nothing" said the Watermelon.
There were two times when he never
said anything-one was when he was
asleep, and the other was when he was
escaping from the police"
"Ohp cried Billy, "he was a minis
ter; why should he have had to escape
from the police?"
He left the ministry" explained the
What did he say when he left it,"
teased Henrietta.
cOON-pss Sdlu tlC "
Then the cars turned into the road,
and two men stepped from the bushes
on either side. They were tall, raw
boned countrymen, in tapping straw
hats and blue jeans. Each carried a
shotgun in the crook of his arm, with
a tender pleasure in the feel of it, each
chewed a big piece of tobacco, and
each was apparently more than enjoy
ing the situation. The Watermelon,
leaning forward, with wary eyes. was
pleased to see a look of surprise fit
across their square-jawed, sun-tanned
faces as they saw the second car slow
" following the first, and four men in
stead of one, as the telegram had said
one man in big red touring car" the
make and engine number given.
For a moment the general could
hink of nothing to say If he had
,een permitted to sally forth from the |
front door, he could have explained |
:learly, emphatically. with all his old
ime belief that, being himself. no one
ould possibly doubt him or his good |
Intentions. But now, caught thus, ac-
his guilt by his surrepti-
iouS leave-taking, he did not know |
What to say, where to begin. Bartlett |
cached for his pocketbook.
What's the make of your carr" de-
handed the taller of the two of Bart
EFT, laying his hand on the fender.
Surprised. Bartlett told. thankful that
le had not been asked for his name.
Engine number?" demanded the
nam
Bartlett gave it
License NUMBER"
Great Scott~ snapped Bartlett.
What do you want next? My age?
ly number is on the back of the car.
have so many cars |. have forgotten
:. Go and look, or ask my man. AL
honse, what's the number on the
ack?"
"974II," droned Alphonse, coldly.
BE both of these ears yours ?" asked
lie man, puzzled and a bit disappointed. Il
That car" said the general, POM
ously. ''is mine. Allow me" He drew
is card case from his pocket, and to
lie tall mans CONSERVATION and Bart
ITS horror, presented him with his .
lrd. The two Withdrew and consulted |
moment Clearly the family party
store them was not the young man
anted in Wilton for stealing a motor
II and suit of clothes; but. for all i
at, what were they doing in an empty {
ouse?
I'VE can arrest 'em and get a fine, T
lyway," said the taller of the two, |
ID the other agreed. a
The Watermelon leaned forward witt, t
nguid interest. his hat on the back G
his head. How dye do?" he
'awled, What are you doing with S
e popguns?" Q
Hunting, grinned the spokesman, 3
4
Any luck?" asked the Watermelon. v
"Betcher life!' said, the man. Got e
hat We were after" E
Bear" asked the Watermelon, in a
Gently Q
Autos" said the man. 4
Sir" began the general. He il
t a pressure on his shoulder so firm. b
At, irritated, he turned to demonstrate s.
tn Henrietta. One could not explain n