The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-01
CHAPTER *.
On the Road.

i where without a well-stocked
| library. guide books, instruc-
ton books, maps. All were
Consulted long and often, and with
childlike faith that Henrietta's sar-
casm. and the sign-posts had not been
able to shake.
If the guide book read, white rock
on left" the general stopped the car
If the rock were not Immediately seen
where it should be according to the
book and refused to go farther until
1t had been discovered. II the rock
could not be located. the general ran
back little way or ahead little way,
and if the white rock still refused to
be seen on the left, the general did not
see what any one had 10 remove val
liable landmarks Henrietta;s tentative
endeavor TO point out the possibility
that the book was mistaken, doubtless
unintentionally, but still mistaken, was
simply waved aside as one more indi-
cation of womans inferiority to man.
If the book said that there was a hill
at such and such place and there was
in fact no hill there, the book was still
correct. There was something the
matter with the landscape
Bartlett knew of this unfortunate
tendency of the generals and resolved
to get rid of those books and maps
and papers. With every mile indicated
and nicely tabulated, every turn and
landmark mentioned, it would be al.
most impossible to get off the beaten
route, and they must avoid telegraph
stations and post-offices as much as
possible. The success of the scheme
lay in keeping Bachelor away from
all touch and communication with the
city. They must, if possible, get lost, and
with the multitudinous books and maps
they would not be able to. Therefore,
they must get rid OF the books and
maps.
| When they had separated to prepare
for the trip, Bartlett returned hastily
to the garage No one was in sight
except a strange chauffeur lounging
in the doorway. Bartlett collected all
! the literature from the generals car
and fastened back to the hotel. Sur
reptitiously, he entered an empty room
near the one assigned to him, and when
he emerged again, his arms were bur-
| denleSS and he was smiling gently.
They waited for the Watermelon on
the porch, intending to have an early
supper and start while it was still
light. Bartlett greeted the returning
| youth with relief and lead the way
TO the dining-room- He mentioned
small village some thirty miles to the
north. where they could find accom-
modations for the night in an old farm
house.
Friends OF Nine" said he. 7 go
there every fall
The general rose to get his blue
book we will look it up" said he
Bartlett stopped him. The town was
not in the book. He knew, for he
had tried to hnd it
The maps will do" said the general
who liked TO locate every town usually
on the maps or in the books before he
, undertook 10 motor there.
Desperate, Bartlett declared that It
was not on the maps. But the general
| would not be daunted They could put
il on the maps themselves if they knew
| in which county it was, near what post
office
We don't want to locate it" said
Bartlett, growing stern and cross of
a necessity
They found the cars waiting at the
steps and a small crowd to see them
off and while away the time before sup
per
Bartlett said, as he knew the way.
he would lead. We need only two cars
Mr. Bachelors car can be left until
We return"
Three cars might come in handy"
protested the general. who objected TO
every suggestion not his own, on prin-
ciple
Why" asked Bartlett coldly.
Mr. Bachelor might become offend
ed at us and want to ride by himself"
suggested Henrietta, laughing.
Yes" agreed Billy. who, though
Young and charming. was sometimes
lacking in that reserve that should have
stamped her fathers daughter. HE
and dad are fighting each other now on
Change"
Henrietta flushed. the Watermelon
laughed. and the general looked panied
at the thought OF any possible lack Of
congeniality.
My dear Billy" said Bartlett, the
third auto would be extremely handy
for you and your tongue, at least"
Billy glanced miserably from one to
the other. Why. Daddy, you told me.
Yesterday"
nave tOlQ you many thlngS, Said
Bartlett. both Yesterday and the day
before"
He took the general by the arm and
gently but firmly thrust him into his
car, getting in himself and taking the
wheel. The Young folk could ride i'll
the tonneau and Alphone follow in the
generals car with the luggage
The cars started down the hill in the
first swee. flush of evening Birds were
going to bed with noisy upbraidings
\ few cows at the pasture bars watched
them pass with great, STUPID. placid
eyes. Jaws going slowly. rhythn'ically,
as they waited for the milking tir,-.
Now they flashed from the shadows OF
the woods TO the open country. pa
lures and rolling grain fields on each
hand. Now they plunged among the
trees again with the drowsy twitter OF
birds and the clear babblIng of a brook
somewhere off among the ferns and
brambles
The Watermelon leaned back in the
deep soft cushions OF the big car and
smiled a smile of calm and peace and
comfort The car ran smoothly, noise
lessly. little breezes laden with the
sweetness of the approaching night
by, on each side of him was
a Dretty owl Tr,r,,;.o ;Ja,I;-.jI Il