The Red Cloud chief., 1912-07-04
A Mistake
and a Miss
ARTHUR W. PEACH

The manager Of the Avenue Garage
turned with an anxious face from the
telephone. He looked across at the
neat. well-dressed young fellow loung.
Ing In his Office.
by George! I'm in for II!
agreed to have my best driver here for
a party this afternoon. and I haven't
got a man on the place; and here's q
call from the best customer I have. !
can't 60 myself"
The young fellow Strengthened up.
Look not so worried. Gleason. why
wouldn't ! do?"
The manager stared. then his anx.
ious face eased. Hilton. II you will
do this for me. I'll be your slave for
the next decade. But II you 60. re-
member you aren't driving that big
speeder Of yours. and forget. too. that
you are the only son Of multi.mil.
lionaire. and remember that you aren't
to talk unless you're asked to. But II
you Will help me out will remember
1t. assure you"
"Oh. I'm game; It's a new kind OF
lark; and I will remember"
A little later, as he seated himself
IN the big touring car. In snug chauf.
teur's uniform. he turned to Gleason.
Il guess I'll keep the goggles on. so II
! should happen to meet some OF my
friends. Now where is IT."
1887 First avenue"
What! Why, man alive. there's
where a girl lives whom I have been
trying to convince that am Just the
right age to marry. Jephosaphat! I
don't know-about--this-
well. don't take the chance then
Hilton sat up. Take a chanoe--I
never let one 60 by. So long"
The big car murmured out Of the
roadway into the smooth avenue and
he sent It humming down the broad
street. Ho knew that he would have
to play his cards we'll to escape de-
lection. for the eyes Of Alice Vernon.
gentle and blue as they were. were
keen. II she discovered him masQuer.
aiding at her expense. he thought to
himself. 1t would be one long good.
night with an exclamation point In
heavy type. He drew his heavy cog.
giles far down over his eyes. sunk a.
much Of his six feet as he could into
the seat. drew the hat down until It
hid the kinks in his hair. and drew
up in front of the residence Of Senator
Vernon.
A maid had evidently been on the
watch. for in q few minutes the trim.
girlish figure Of the girl he loved came
lightly down the broad steps. and was
handed into the car by the footman
Hilton thanked his stars that she gave
him not a glance His hand went to
the brakes. then paused on her order.
Hilton swore softly and tenderly un.
der his breath: for coming serenely to-
ward him was bis most earnest rival.
Sidney Farland. Hilton wondered
what was going to happen; he found
out. A sweet voice behind him said: ::
Good morning. Sidney. am going for
a little spin out and back: are you
going DOWN."
Hilton hoped to heaven that be
never appeared so eager for an invita-.
tion or accepted one as eagerly az Far
land did
They rolled of. Farland chatting be.
hind in his eager. impetuous way. and
Hilton. himself. bumped down in his
seat feeling like swearing impetuously.
It was a pretty how.do.you-do-actin
as chauffeur for sweetheart and q
rival.
He listened to the merry chatter be.
hind him. and the gall in his thoughts
grew bitter He. himself. even came
up for topic Of conversation. and she
said little. Farland very industriously
went on to amplify into little details
the miserable story that he had heard
was going the rounds about him-all a
lie. Hilton was sure he had found out
who was industrious in spreading Il:
but the thought did not serve to
sweeten his viewpoint on life,
As they drew near the streets lead.
ing to the business section. Hilton was
in hopes that Farland would ask to be
dropped. but far from II. and the next
thing he knew. she was asking him to
20 with her on the spin.
They whirled out onto the smooth
state road. II was a glorious day
1ust the kind of day to make hearts
beat faster. especially hearts that are
in love.
Hilton heard the voices behind him
grow a little lower after a while; un
der the rules he should have been bus
lily thinking of other things; but his
conscience did not trouble him. and he
listened with all the power Of hearing
he could muster.
There was no doubt about II. he said
TO himself. Farland was going to pro
nose to her The thought cent a chill
through him Alice had not been very
kind toward him the last few weeks
and he had heard that Farland had
a good show Softly he heard the
voices running on behind him.
"Aii there Is to H. Alice" Farland
was saying. II care more for you thar