The Meeker herald., 1912-02-03


I'll write at once. In the meantime.
whatever you do. Martha, be practical
and daring, humorous II possible.
That's the modern method Of doing
things. and must say 1t seems to be
effectual" The twins waved last
adieu and the train bore them swiftly
OF.
Martha turned away, her mind full
Of the conversation Of the afternoon.
Instead Of going directly home. she
turned rather ajmlessly into side
street. She wanted to think It all out
again, though there was not 3 single
part of her dilemma that she had not
gone over many times before. She
hated to own, even to herself, how
much she cared, but she did care very
much. She admitted It with q little
catch Of the heart.
And she was sure that he did, too.
That was the queer part of 1t all. The
man loved her. she knew he did.
There were thousand little ways Of
telling. And they had been SO happy
together, 10 congeniaI from the begin
ming. A sudden moisture blurred her
eyes.
Martha winked quickly to clear her
vision, turned corner. and halted
abruptly with surprise at what she
saw. DR.. Jeffries' little empty rum
about stood before her at the curb.
Evidently the doctor was making .
call inside the house.
With the sight, swift idea leaped
into Martha's head.
practical, daring. humorous. I'll
do ~" She looked carefully around
to see II she were observed. It was .
quiet, unfashionable nsighborhood. no
one happened to b passing. Martha
walked up to the car and seated her
self beside the drivers seat.
For i've minutes she waited. her
heart nearly stifling her with its ex-
cited jumping. then the door opened
and Dr.. JsAries ran lightly down the
steps.
At the sight of her he stopped stock
still, and his face went white. Then
he gathered himself.
"T'm sorry to have kept you walt
ing" no addressed her, with smile.
"Oh, I haven't minded waiting in the
1
He went around In front and crank
ed the car. then took his place beside
her and they were away.
Calmly Dr.. JefYries drove the little
| car across the town, past the small
houses of the outskirts, and struck
out for the country. His face was
| tranquil, but Martha. stealing glance
| from the corner Of her eye. noticed
| that the hand which moved the levers
| trembled. She herself could not have
spoken had her life depended on it
On they sped, over the country road.
now running beside scampering
brook, now leaving it while they pass
ed through patches Of woodland. cool
and sweet. The way was familiar to
them both. 1t had been a favorite route
| for the drives Of the early summer.
Finally. at one Of the wooded places
Or. Jenrie1' energy seemed to relax
The car slowed down. and for the first
time its driver turned and looked into
| the face OF the girl beside him.
"Are you really here?" he asked,
slowly, "Or il 1t all dream?"
Martha laughed softly ITS Z
dream" she answered, with saucy
CLEAN in her eye.
Then I hope may never wake
upw calculated the doctor. fervently
at is = pleasant dream" agreed
Martha, amiably.
"It's heavenly" Then. after q
pause, Nov tell me what part of the
dream is the hint that jerome Holden
gave me that you and he were prac'
tically engaged!"
cob, he didn't really. did he? The
coward! Oh. 1 could almost
words failed her.
Then" persisted the doctor. eager
| ly, that hideous nightmare has nc
place in-our dream?"
"No place at ALL" steadily.
DR.. Jeffries brought the car to a sud
den stop, turned It around. and began
to hasten back to town with all the
motors power.
why, what are you going to dor
asked Martha, in surprise.
I'm going to take you home. where
I hope to be invited into the house
I've some things to say before l wake
up. Besides, can man drive car
and do-anything else?" demanded
Dr.. Paul Jeffries.
Il
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