The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-09-01
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TAKING A JOY RIDE
BY JEAN DIckERsoN.

Barbara, dear, you are not going
out this morning." expostulated Mrs.
Lee, as her slim, brown-eyed daughter
appeared In motoring costume.
why not, motherT Barbara's eyes
were very bright and there was be-
coming pink flush in her cheeks.
Il told you at breakfast that Victor
is coming over to lunch with us; l
telephoned him that needed legal adj
vice concerning the sale of the west
woodland"
Barbara's dark brows drew together
in frown. I'm sorry, mother, but
would rather not be here when Victor
Goodwin comes"
/ You have quarreled again?" asked
Mrs. Lee regretfully.
I'VE have disagreed-forever-a
mother" went on Barbara hastily,
you have no idea what relief 1t is
to me to be rid Of the shackles Of my
engagement to Victor! never real
ICED before what it meant to be tied
down to a tyrannical man"
Mrs. Lee bit her lip. Barbara was
so ridiculous. What sane woman
would call Victor Goodwin tyrant?
IF you had told me this morning /
would not have embarrassed Victor by
inviting him to lunch" she said quiet
ly. AS 1t is. perhaps 1t is well that
you are going out and you may as we'll
drop in at Molly's and have luncheon
l want to talk business with Victor"
Very well-and, mother, dear, you
mustn't think care the least bit about
this broken engagement. because do
not" explained Barbara carefully; st
Is the greatest relief to be heart-free
and | just simply couldn't remain in
the house this morning-I've got to
work off my excitement some way and.
I'm going on joy ridei"
Joy rider" echoed her mother.
We'll, joyful ride-if that sounds
more refined" said Barbara from the
doorway. She darted back to kes her
mothers delicate cheek and once more
In the doorway she sighed retievedly:
You can't imagine how delightful 1t
feels to be freel"
II suppose Victor feels the same
way" agreed Mrs. Lee; I've heard
that as soon as a man becomes en-
gagged he begins to chafe against the
bonds that shackle him against all his
former bachelor freedom. Well, good
by, dear-I wish you joy on your JOS
ridel"
Barbara went down the hall and out
on to the piazza where her own little
electric runabout was waiting before
the steps. She hummed a little song
as she entered the car and waited for
Fritz to crank up. In a moment she
was gliding down the avenue under
the arching elm trees and out of the
gate into the well-oiled highway.
East OF westT she unused for mo-
ment before she reached the turning
point. She chose the west because 1t
was the opposite direction from which
Victor Goodwin might be expected to
come
The west road led up and down hill,
sometimes meandering through some
narrow woodland way to emerge again
into the open sunlight with a glimpse
of the blue sound flashing beyond hills
that terraced gently to the waters
edge.
The west road was the old road and
it was practically abandoned now The
new east road was a favorite speeding
ground for motor cars.
But Barbara turned cheerfully into
the older road, singing snatches Of
song under her breath as the little car
rolled lightly over the road.
She took off her hat and let the
morning sunshine filter through her
golden brown hair and seek out
golden flecks in her dark eyes. Her
lips sang, her eyes sparkled Joyfully
and anyone observing Miss Barbara
Lee at that moment would have agreed
that she was a happy girl.
Now, the road swerved capriciously
and lost itself in a tunnel of green
woods. 1t was a narrow road, with
here and there dangerous curve,
where two vehicles could hardly pass
without careful maneuvering But
Barbara was not afraid of meeting
anyone, for even the farmers chose
the newer, shorter way to town.
The little car glided over the dead
leaves of the road and confidently
rounded sharp curve to lock wheels
with a small roadster coming rapidly
from the other direction.
The shock Of impact sent Barbara to
her knees, but she retained presence
of mind, and instantly shut of the
power The man in the other car had
done the same thing, so that when the
purring of the motors had died down.
they faced each other In silence.
Barbara told herself bitterly that of
course the man had to be Victor Good
win!
Goodwin looked at his late f1ancee.
'I hope you are not hurt" he said p8
litely. as Barbara regained her seat
and smoothed her wind-tossed hair.
mot at all, thank you" returned
Barbara crisply.
Goodwin leaned over and looked at
the wheels, which we're jammed close
Iy together. He got out and examined
the damage, and tried to move his own
car. 1t failed to bulge an inch. He
looked up at Barbara, his gray eyes
regarding her impersonally.
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we can't
get out OF this without help from
town"
Barbara leaned over and looked at
the obstinate wheels.
Mentally she shook her fist at them
| Outwardly she became unreasonable
I'm sure | could fix tit looks so
easy" she remarked perversely.
Goodwin redeemed under his coat Of
tan.
IT assure you / have done all !
could" he said stifly. '1 have no de-
sire to prolong the situation"
Tears sprang to Barbara's eyes. but
her lashes hid them from his glance.
For answer she jumped from the car
to the ground and fumbled In the tool
box for something with which to make
play at repairing. Her hands came
back filed with a variety of articles
a wrench, a patent tire member, a
bunch Of cotton waste, copper oil
can, some old spark pfugs-Goodw1n
suppressed a smile at the sight
He stepped aside while Barbara
wedged between the two cars.
At that moment Barbara made re-
solve never to enter a motor car again;
they were reacherous beasts, always
getting one into the most awful situa-
TONS
Barbara tabbed at the locked wheels