Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-10-14
THAT. Two DOLLAR BILL
f0r, Lost on the High Road to
Happiness.
BY HARMONY WELLER.

Irma came hurriedly out OF the DIG
department store and glanced along
the street. She looked at her smail
timepiece and her brows puckered.
at is late already" she SAID TO
herself, and made straightway for the
motor car which stood at the curb.
Irma supposed it was taxi.
Drive me quickly to 09 Riverside
drive" she commanded the chauffeur.
The man cast a quizzical glance at
the dainty person who had taken MN
for taxi driver.
did you hear what I said?" In
CURED Irma, half impatiently.
"Yes-miss." The man touched his
cap, and with another odd smile that
irritated the girl he stepped out to
crank his machine.
Irma settled herself with a little
f1utter OF exhaustion into the corner
and took out her list Of purchases.
So intent was she upon making out
her rather large expense account that
she did not glance up until she real
lied that the motor had swung IN TO
the curb at % Riverside drive.
She glanced quickly up to see, from
the Indicator, what her fare was. Her
blood seemed suddenly to rush over
her being In hot wave. Had she
deliberately stepped into a private
motor? There was no Indicator and
no For Hire" ticket on the front OF
the taxi.
Irma stepped out and faced the
chauffeur How much do owe YOU?
she asked, trying not to color under
the very steady eyes Of the cookbook
ing driver. "The indicator Is not
there"
She stood there, her lovely eyes
seeming to challenge him to tell her
she had made mistake. Yet stirring
within her was desire to return the
smiles that still lurked In the mans
eyes. Because of that desire lrma
repeated her demand. viii you
kindly tell me how much owe you?"
Because Of the growing wrath IN
her eyes the driver fabricated quick
~. "My indicator is in the repair
shop. Since I have no idea of the dis
tance we will forget the fare"
I'VE will do nothing OF the kind!
contradicted Irma. She opened her
great Cavalier bag and drew forth
So bill. "That Is about what ] gem
orally pay" she said. and extended
the money.
81 refuse to take It."
Irma looked back at him for mo-
ment, conscious that her cheeks were
flaming and her eyes sparkling.
After e second she opened the door
OF the motor and flung the money
within. 'If you want TO do the taxi
people out Of their money there ls no
reason why I should help you," she
said, and went into the house. 1t
pleased her to notice that the driver
was angry. He swung his machine
around so suddenly that for second
It was about to turn turtle, but It Kept
to its four wheels and went of down
tho drive.
When it was we'll out Of sight Nor
man MacVane stopped his motor and
stepped out He opened the door.
picked up the bill that Irma Vickery
had thrown therein. folded it carefully
and put it In his waistcoat pocket He
smiled as he did so. but there was
lurking irritation in the smile
He cranked the engine. jumped IN
and whirled at the speed limit back
to the shop whence he had come.
An irate sister WAS waiting there
with eyes that flashed Indignantly at
him.
where in the world have you
been?" she asked reproachfully.
If Grace noticed the flush on her
brothers face she supposed II was
due to her scolding.
"You said you would be about thir-
ty minutes" he told her, because he
did not know exactly how to mention
his escapade 'T am awfully sorry,
but you see, sis. am not used to
'chauffing.' Where to nowH"
Grace smiled at her big, cookbook.
ing brother II want to go up to
Lilly's for tea-but 1t Is rather late"
And where does Lilly happen to
live?"
"O9 Riverside drive"
Norman started and changed color.
Then he smiled. Perhaps Yes.
perhaps he might see his dainty
fare" again.
+ Lilly must be having an after
noon tea" he said without thinking.
Fortunately, Grace had been getting
into her motor and his words had
fallen on deaf ears.
Again Norman stopped at %.
Dear" Grace told him sweetly,
"lf you have anything else to do you
need not call for me at s. can take
the car home"
81 have nothing else to do, SIS"
Norman told her with surprising
alacrity. 4 will be here promptly at
g."
Irma yickery had been sitting In the
window. She started and leaned for.
ward as Grace McVane alighted from