The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-01

do you remember that time we went
from Maine straight down TO the coast
to Maryand?"
The general turned to the Watermel-
on. q suppose you have grown tired
of IT," said he A young unmarried
man can go when and where he wants"
"Oh, I've been around some" adj
mitted the Watermelon modestly. But
never in car"
you SHOULD try it, my dear sill" said
Bartlett. Upon my word, you have no
idea how fascinating it is.
Il never owned a car"
You do now" laughed Henrietta.
"Now's your chance"
1--WE no one to go with" replied the
Watermelon innocently, smiling down
at Henrietta on the car step and not
looking at Bartlett.
Henrietta laughed and threw out one
of her delicate, graceful hands with a
little gesture that embraced the whole
group. You have all of us, now,
said she. I'VE have made you one OF
\ US"
Bartlett agreed with a chuckle.
Things were coming his way with hard
| iy any effort on his part, as they had
had way of doing until William Har-
grave Bachelor had made himself too
annoying. He took it as a good sign
and smiled cheerfuily. -
You can take us all" laughed Billy.
"A week" said Bartlett tentatively,
in the country, away from kilograms
and letters and papers, it would do me
vast amount of good. l have been
overworked lately" He nodded grave
ly, in confirmation of his, own remark.
81 would like to drop everything, now.
this minute, crank up the car and start,
no matter where, any place, any road
You don't need clothes. The lighter
you travel, the better. You can put
up anywhere you happen to be for the
night, and if you get lost it does not
matter, merely adds to the fun and at
lords an adventure"
1t sounds alluring," said Henrietta.
Suppose we all go, just as we areH
We could" cried Billy. Why,
Dad, we could do it easily. l have
that linen dress l wore yesterday, and
my brush and comb and things, and
you have yours"
But the general and Henrietta OBJ
jected Bartlett. They only ran up
here for the day, my dear. They may
not have anything"
Yes, we have" cried Henrietta.
1--WE planned to stay week or two and
sent trunk along. We could easily
pack a suitcase"
oh" exclaimed Billy. DO let's do
it"
Il noticed a suitcase in your car,
Bachelor" Bartlett turned to the Wat
ermelon. genially. Il Judge you are
planning to take few days Jaunt
somewhere"
Il was thinking OF it," acknowledge
ed the Watermelon, with truth, loung-
ing gracefully in the doorway.
Bartlett laughed. I'VE are crazy, all
OF u.s." said he and waived the sugges-
ton aside as a whimsical fancy best
forgotten.
oh. daddy, please" teased Billy.
But, Billy. child, the others don't
want to do it, the general or Batch
elor"
Il want to- said Henrietta, "and 50
does the general Father. wouldn't
you like to take trip in the car some
where for week or two!
The generals attention had wandered
back to the car. He turned distracted
~ DO what, Henrietta?
Take trip in the car for a week or
two"
Yes. we must plan one later, as we
did last summer"
But We mean now, father, start
right now"
Nov: Henrietta, you're foolish, my
dear"
No. indeed. father. Why not now?
DO il now is your favorlte motto, you
know"
1T is impossible" and the general,
also. dismissed the subject
Bartlett thrust his hands in his peck
cts and appeared absorbed in his car. |
He knew Billy
Why impossible:" asked Billy. lay
ing a small hand on the generals arm.
You were going TO spend week here. |
Why not spend it in your car? You
have no engagement, have you:"
No" said the general, smiling into
her pretty face. But what about
clothes?"
Clothes. laughed Billy, why,
BE hanged" said the Watermelon.
Bartlett laughed. Quite so. Wash |
out on the line, general. Better come.
Pretend the Indians have risen"
said Henrietta, land you are given an
hour to get into marching order.
"Ah, yes" cried the eager Billy, pat
ting the arm she chung to. You used
to do it, general, why, in half an hour,
out on the plains
What do you know about it, puss!"
asked the general.
Didn't your" pleaded Billy.
Yes" said the general. who always
gave in to a pretty woman Il used to:
In those days we were always ready for
a fight"
so you will go? I knew you
would"
But Mr. Bachelor may have to
return to the city," suggested Henriet-
ia. glancing at the Watermelon.
Bartlett shot a glance at the young
man and began to whistle softly
through his teeth as he indifferently
raised the bonnet of his car and exam
ined the clean, well-ordered machinery
within. Would Billys charms be
enough 10 hold the young man against
his better judgment? Could he forget
what the next week meant to him, for
oct the lure of the Street. the rise and
fall of stocks, in the light of a wom-
ans eyes, in the sound of a woman's
laugh? If Billy could not keep him,
SC00P THE CUB