Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

the next farm and were Francesca's dear
frtends-her dearest friends, indeed, UNI
I'll Aunt Ada had appeared. Aunt Ada,
big and reposed, seemed to see how things
were at glancee. The farm could go on
the mortgage, Abner'sy mother could take
away the furniture If it was worth while
and she would take Franceska. "Of
course, you've no idea of marrying that
young farmer Aunt Ada had inquired.
And Francesca. flushed and dropping. had
fnurmured NO" Somehow bereavement
and change and these vast new. prospects
for which Aunt Ada was accountable had
crowded Abner out of her heart and
that last day when he caught her hands
and begged hoarseiy, Il suppose its no
use now, Fran. TO ask you to stay and
marry me?" she had shaken her head
sorrowfully. NO use at all Abner I'm
going with Aunt Ada. she replied. He
flung her hands from him and turned his
back upon her She thought he was Sob
bing-big. brave young fellow though he
was. 'Theuit all ended he said She
was shaken with pity TN come back.
she promised. No" he said, you never
WILL" He had known better than she.
Once Aunt Ada had her there was no
time to go back. First there was a year
of schooling and then there was year of
Europe and then. being fit and accom-
nlished for II, there was year of society.
The four girls who had come out with
ger that day We're married or about to be
married, while she had not yet given a
thought TO it. despite Aunt Ada's admoni-
tons. There We're men enough. but no
one seemed to be the right man. Some
times she got out little picture of Abb
ner West that she had and looked at it
and wondered if he had married and
what he was doing. All her schooling
and all her sightseeing and all her dane
ing had not put him out of her mind.
The car jolted and Aunt Ada opened
her eyes. Another HILL she sighed.
Well. this is rather pretty. What
are those white flowers. DEAR"
They are shad- blows. Aunt Ada
Oh Aunt Ada poised her iorgnette.
Shad-blows. eh? I remember we
passed a great many such bushes that
day l came to your fathers funeral
BY the way. We must be somewhere in
the vicinity of your old home
When we get to the top of this
hill. replied Francesca in a strange
little voice, we ought TO be able TO
see the chimney through the trees"
At That instant the ear stopped alto
Sether shivered and began to roll
screamed The chauffeur shouted. sit
still. and began to make desperate
passes with the brakes. but the car
moved backward. gaining impetus
in its descent. francesca sat rigid.
staring at the frantic chauffeur
Then she saw him look backward and
she looked backward, too. There was
q dip in the road and at one side a
thick elan. The car struck the tree and
swung right across the road, tipping
heavily. but it stopped. The chauffeur
sprang out and opened the door and
they alighted.
Aunt Ada was trembling and all
Sreenish gray. What do you mean by
this. Purch?" she demanded.
Poor Purch's teeth chartered. I'm
sorry-it slipped the brakes" he
Gasped.
What are you going to do?"
Purch had taken off his coat and
got to work. She can't do any more
climbing, he said. Il can get her
OVER a level and she can coast easy
GRADES But she can't climb
IF you get her over this hill into
Aries there's a garage there" Fran
cesca suggested.
Shell have to be lowed" mourned
:he chauffeur
Francesca. said Aunt Ada you
know this locality. and you're a swift
walker why can't you go somewhere
and procure team? For instance,
there's that young Farmer West Go
to him and offer him any price but
tell him that he aust come to our aid.
And hurry. please. We must get to the
country club tonight. Your uncle and
AIR. Widemere Will both be frantic
when we don't arrive on time"
The cat was out of the bag. Fran
cesca looked straight at her aunt. OH
said Francesca. and her checks were
all hot red. so he's going to be
there. You forgot to tell me
We'll" what difference does il
maker Aunt Ada was getting angry
with every one. herself included.