The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-12-29
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
SUBURBAN SALLY
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

monotony of life.
little home, an excellent garden and
ample stabling for horses and coun.
try vehicles.
There was an excellent pair of gray
mares il the stable, a small trap and
her grandfather's old family omnibus
The latter was thick with dust of
years, yet it was the hinge upon which
Sally's business venture swung.
Il could drive perhaps twelve com
muters to their train each morning
and take them home in the evening, :"
she unused. IF / charged dollar a
week and had even ten passengers
would not have to sell off the horses.
Ten dollars a week means consider
able to me.
Besides" she reflected when she
had all but determined on the idea
t'the horses would have little exer-
else and | a trife of amusement. |
feel sure that the gentlemen who
occupy those charming houses on the
Film road will rather drive in my ON.
nibns than a crowded street car"
Sally's mental prophecy proved cor,
rect. The gentlemen who committed
to the city from Elm lane were weary
OF crowded cars and leaped at the
idea suggested on the tiny cards that
SsIly had sent out
During July and August, when sub
III banites brought out guests and rela-
tives for breath Of country air and
fresh vegetables from their gardens,
Sally's ten dollars q week swelled to
twenty. Commuters seemed willing
to crowd into her omnibus rather
than into street cars and Sally was
obliged to permit an occasional pas
Eenger on to her box seat. This she
strongly objected to, since she had
determined to remain, as far as pos
sible, a stranger to her patrons.
1t was not until the advent of Dick
Halstead into her omnibus that Sally
found her dignity slipping from her
1t was impossible for any one to re.
main very far above the human
throng when Dicky was near Fle
seemed born merely for the purpose
of etching smiles on the faces If
those with whom he came in contact
II say, Halstead" yelled Roger
Evans from the inside of the coach,
mo one is allowed on the box seat
unless it is crowded to capacity in
side! Come down off your perchi"
4 am sitting here in the interest of
humanity" returned Halstead. '"The
off mare has wicked look in her eyes
this morning. She may want to bolt
when she passes the steam roller"
He glanced swiftly at Sally's amazed
expression. MY manly strength is
required-here on the box seat"
To those inside the wagonette it
seemed as if Halstead had made the
statement in spirit of fun. In real
ity he had feared the off mare for
some days past. Since the advent of
the great steam roller on the quiet
country roads Sally had had as much
aa she could do to handle the horses
They were approaching the corner
uf the road where they we're wont to
meet the snorting, powerful roller
with its deafening noise.
Halstead turned to Sally. Her face
had gone white. He looked ahead for
the cause and saw a second roller,
more gigantic than the first The
mare might pass one road-ffend, but
assuredly Sallys hands could not
make her pass second 1t meant
frightful spill at least on the pre-
carious road. Halstead for second
feared to take the reins suddenly from
the girl She might fight to retain
them and the horses would bolt with
some twenty men in the wagonette
Halstead drew heavy, swift breath
and again glanced at Sally.
She felt his glance and realized the
strain he was under.
Here" she said, swiftly thrusting
the reins in his ready hands; 81
haven't the strength"
"Angel," muttered Halstead under
his breath and then the fight began
Never could Sally have controlled the
maddened beasts, for beasts they were
in that desperate moment when they
reared in one awful plunge as they
dashed past the second roller.
The wagonette swerved from side
to side, one minute topping the next
erect, but the situation was saved
Tragedy had been averted.
Sally closed her eyes, her face
whittier than the lace at her throat.
The horses were running steadily now
and straight. Dick put one hand over
Sany's as it lay on the seat beside
him. She looked at him but did not
speak. In the wagonette twenty men
were suddenly bereft Of speech. Per
haps the realization that life was
wonderful thing hit them forcibly after
the narrow escape with that other
phantom.
You saved them ALL" Sally said
finally and her voice trembled.
Dick only laughed.
I'VE might all have had a house
party in the village hospital" he said
and tried to cover the emotion in his
voice. Sally's sudden weakness had
SO unnerved him that he was tempted
then and there to take her in his
arms, but again reason prevented him.
NO." he muttered 3nly half to him
self. Tonight l will storm Ter heart
with roses and poetry and perhaps
with a moon in the heavens for
me to speak under. l love her very,
very dearly" he added and a soft
color crept into Sally's cheeks.