The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-10
Sc king a
Husband
The Girl Has a Thrilling
Auto Ride With Dick
By CONSTANCE CLARKE

far. Dick said as pulled my
hat into rakish angle over one
ear Why can't men who have auto
mobiles and plenty of money be a
little agreeable about things?'
I think 1 know best about where to
go, said Dick loftily. How l hate that
condescending manner of his. And
you get better things to eat there
than you do at any place else. 1t won't
be such long run. and you'll be twice
as hungry when you get there"
SO as usual 1 let Dick settle the
matter. Pretty soon 1 won't have any
mind of my own at all.
was very still as we left the lights
of Broadway far behind and rolled
swiftly along in the open country.
WELL" said Dick. turning to me sud
denly. you're satisfied. aren't you?
What makes you so quiet? 1 never
knew such a girl as you are for sulk-
ing. if you don't get your own way"
I'm not suIkirig." / said indignant
~. You know very well that you al
ways have your own way about every
thing"
HIS SMILE
Dick smiled complacently, and
looked at me teasingly. and l smiled
back. partly because it was a wonder
full evening and partly because Dick
has dear. foolish, boyish smile that
is quite the incest thing about him, so
peace was restored
Dick drives awfully fast. but / like
ahead and nothing to bother about.
So / settled back determined to enjoy
myself to the full.
Suddenly as we turned the corner
ing i'm the light of the moon, and
somewhere near bell was changing
violently. Ny heart Ieaped to my
throat as a binding headlight shot
suddenly around a curve, and L
screamed. "Dick, you're not going to
try to get past, are you! Oh, please
dont."
Dick didn't answer me. but he bent
over the wheel and pulled quickly
into the second speed. We shot sud
denly forward, and / closed my eyes.
There Nas "a roar from the Iocomo-
tive, and an answering roar from
Dicks motor.
Then l felt the wind blowing softly
over my face and I opened my eyes to
see darkness all around me, and to
hear Dick say scof1ngly: why.
Peggy. you little coward, we had all
the time in the world But I was
too frightened to answer, and just
wiped my tears away without saying
anything
I hated Dick at that moment.
We drove along in silence until
finally we stopped before the most
fascinating inn I had ever seen. My
spirits began to revive. and by the
time I was eating my oysters I felt
quite friendly toward Dick. That's a
way he has. He keeps quiet until an
unpleasant incident has been forgot
ten but he never apologies.
On the way home Dick put on extra
speed. knew that it would be use
less TO say anything, SO 1 kept still
and held my breath. But when we
finally got into the city and Dick had
hardly slackened the speed at all 1
yentured timidly. Aren't we going
rather fast?" But Dick silenced me
with. Not at all. This is the only
way to drive for enjoyment.
A CRASH
As we entered Columbus circle a
taxi came out of a side street and
drove right for US. ] stifled shrek,
and minute later there was a crash
of broken glass, jar that nearly
threw me from my seat, and the car
came to standstill.
1t seemed ages before they let us
drive away with a broken wind shield
and only one lamp. Dick turned to
me and said roughly IF you hadn't
screamed. Peggy, nothing would have
happened"
l simply choked with anger and I
gasped out, This is the last time /
shall ever ride in your car. If it
hadn't beep for your reckless driving,
nothing would have happened this
evening. You have no regard for any
ones feelings but your own!'
Dick looked surprised at my out
burst, but it served to silence him,
and when the car stopped minute
later, / jumped out without any as
sistance The last thing 1 heard him
saying before he went was, You don't
have to pay the bill for all the
trouble
Did you ever hear anything so
heartIess? / cried myself to sleep
that night.