Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-06


ha,np directed to a room In the garage
where II was she called up her mother.
Informed her OF the accident and said
that she would not be home In time
for luncheon. As soon as she hah De
uyered this message the MECHANIC
went to the telephone room and shut
the door. When be came out be In
formed Winifred that the lady OF the
house on the grounds would be happy
to have her lunch with her. He had
Informed her Of the accident and her
presence at the garage. and the invita-
ton had resulted.
winifred decided to accept the invi'
tation and await the repairing OF her
car Mt the house. So she walked up
the roadway short distance. meeting
A young lady who was coming to fetch
her and who received her very kindly.
taking her to the house and introducing
her to her mother Winifred was in
formed that luncheon would not NJ
served Immediately. and. meanwhile
she was welcome to the Use OF room
or the library or to make herself NJ
home In any way she liked. But she
found her hosts so affable. so engaging
that she preferred chatting with them
She gave an account Of her ncrid'n'
and dwelt especially on the valuable
services Of their chauffeur. How kino
he had been, She did not know whal
she would have done had he not come
along to help her. She became SUN
ciently at home with her hosts to rally
the young lady on the danger OF hnV
ing so attractive chauffeur. Both
mother and daughter smiled and said
that in this case no misaliance was
possible.
Winifred spent an hour in this way
before luncheon was announced On
entering the dining room she stopped
on the threshold. paralyzed. A young
man stood at the head OF the table
ready to drop into n seat. When he
and the ladies' saw the expression Oh
Winifred's face all three burst into u
laugh. The young man was the me
chanic-chauffeur. but he was without
his overalls.
II should have refused my consent"
said the mother ito this deception.
was overpersuaded
mo harm done. I'm sure. said the
young man. The young lady took me
for chauffeur. and I simply didn't
disabuse her mind"
By this time Winifred had regainet
some of her equanimity and joined ir
the laugh or at least tried to. assuring
her hosts that she could not possibly
blame any one who had been so kline
to her. whereupoD the mother mad.
an explanation She told Winifrsi that
the young man. her son. had but re-
Gently graduated from Il school OF
technology and had great fancy FOL
mechanics. They found his ability t.
repair their automobiles very ronvrn
lent"
"Since he is my brother" put in the
young lady. with n sparkle In her ey"
"there can be no fear
But she WAS stopped by a warming
look from her mother and n blush SHE
saw rising on Winifred's cheek.
And so 1t was that Winifred knowl
ton went ont In her car at 10 O'Clock
In the morning and few hours later
was lunching famil!arly with persons
whose names she did not yet know.
The mechanic told her that he had tin'
ished the repairs on her car and In
stead Of sending a bill for his work he
would feel repaid If she would permit
him to drive her to her homo. The
matter was compromised on this basis,
and after an hour agreeably spent by
the party together the young man went
for Winifred's car. while she tele.
phoned her mother that she would
shortly be ut home, herself and her car
both In good condition. thanks to the
man who had repaired II and his moth
er and sister, who had entertained and
refreshed her.
Winifred did not avail herself Of her
recently acquired privilege Of guiding
her car home. leaving the wheel to her
escort. But he availcd himself VI the
privilege Of driving very roundabout
course, and they did not reach her home
till dinner time. Then Winifred wond
not let her escort return until he had
dined with them.
The convenience Of having n me
chanic and chauffeur in one was trans
ferred to the Knowltons. since the said
mechanic-chauffeur married Winlfreh