The Washington herald., 1912-08-18
He COMES UP SMILING B. CHARLES SHERMAN

thetic, the mouth of one who laughs
| through tears, seeing the piteous, so
closely interminglcd with the amusing.
Her eyes were brown, clever, with del
icate brows and high smooth fore
head. The Watermelon decided that
she was not pretty. but distinctly
classy. She was watching him with
amused approval, oddly mingled with
wistfulness, for the Watermelon was
young and tall and graceful. good
looking, and boyish. His mans mouth
anda square chin were overtopped by
his laughing woman's eyes, soft and
gentle and dreaming, face that fasci-
mated men as we'll as women. And he
was young and she was-thirty-fve.
He smiled at the friendliness he saw in
her eyes and turned to the old gentle
man, who was now thoroughly alb
sorbed.
Il need a monkey-wrench,' said he.
Il thought at first that there was
something the matter with the car
bureter, but j think now that it must be
in the crank shaft assembly"
"Oh. yes" agreed the Watermelon
vaguely. and got the wrench from the
tool-box as directed.
II think that maybe you had bet
ter let US tow you to some garage,
said the lady timorously, her voice
| barely audible above the old gentle
mans noisy administrations.
Search me-" returned the Water
melon, standing by to lend assistance
with every tool from the box in his
arms or near by where he could reach
it instantly at an imperious command.
Automobiles" said the lady, ARE
like the modern schoolmarms, always
breaking down.
Like hoboes," suggested the Water
melon. always broke"
The old gentleman Strengthened up.
There is something the matter with
the gasoline inlet valve he announced
firmly.
The whole car must be rotten" sur
missed the Watermelon, catching the
oil can as it vas about TO slip from his
already over-burdened hands.
No, no." returned the old gentle
man reassuringly, as he buttoned his
long linen duster securely. The crank
shaft seems to be all right. but the
the Watermelon had a horrible fear
for a moment that his would-be bene-
factor was about to offer up prayers
for the safety of the car. He reached
out his hand to stay proceedings, when
the old gentleman spoke:
Il must get under the car"
Maybe it's all right" suggested the
Watermelon, who did not like the idea
of being forced to go after him with
the tools.
Father" the lady's voice was gen.
tie, but firm. and the old gentleman
paused. Let Alphonse go. You
know we are to dine with the Bart
let's. Alphonse, please find out what
the trouble is.
Alphonse alighted promptly. He
was thin. dapper little man with
blase superiority that was impressive
as betokening a profound knowledge
OF the idiosyncrasies OF motor cars.
He plainly had no faith in the old
gentleman's diagnosis He approached
the car and announced the trouble
practically at once.
There is no gasoline
The old gentleman was not IN the
least perturbed over his own slight er-
ror in judgment A frequent. very
frequent oversight" said he. rising.
We will tow you to the hotel, my
dear sir. You can get the gasoline
there"
Never mind" said the Watermelon.
Il can hoof it"
"Hoof it, The old gentleman was
panied and hurt ''Hoof it. when l
have my car right here! No, indeed.
AlphonSe. get the rope"
The Watermelon protested. "Aw,
really. you know
Weren't you gong to the hoel:"
81 was thinking some OF IL But the
car"
"Alphonse. get the rope 1t will be
pleasure. We have always got 70
lend assistance to a broken car We
may be in the same fix ourselves some
day"
10 BE CONTINUED NEXT sUSDAIJ