The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-03-06
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PHIL, THE CHAUFFEUR
BY EDWARD BRANDON.

nad Deen driving all through tne SUM
mer
Shall let her out sir?"
Mr. King nodded. then, turning con-
fidlngly to Phil, he began to tell him
what Phil had long suspected, that
he was deeply in love with the beau-
tiful Miss Meeks, whom he had visit
ed every weekend for many months.
Phil listened attentively to every
word, and by a subtle understanding
invited further confidence.
4 don't quite know" Mr.. King
spoke apologetically, ''why | always
have had desire to contide in you,
but simply must"
Phil smiled proudly, and opening
up the valves slowly increased the
speed, until the trees and fences were
mere specks, SO quickly were they
passed. Finally they slowed down.
then drew up in front of low white
house.
"Come for me about nine" Mr.
King called as he ran up the path to
the house.
In the garage Phil removed his
visored cap and coat to work on the
car, and for an hour he cleaned Wig
orously.
He was slight chap, with soft
eyes and winsome smile. really too
refined looking for his position
though as he worked he scowled, and
his face was not quite pleasant. He
was thinking with bitterness OF all
Mr.. King had told him. and a great
resentment grew in his heart toward
the woman, who in his estimation
was far from good enough for his en-
ployer.
lie was still bending over the car
when he was called to the telephone.
PHIL Mr. King called come for
me at once, and bring all our stuff
We're going home tonight"
A lump came in Phil's throat. and
he couldn't answer. When he did, no
one was there.
Scarcely fifteen minutes later they
were on their way to New York.
For over an hour neither spoke.
though several times Phil cast covert
glances at Mr. King, to find he was
looking with unseeing eyes at the
road ahead bathed in the moonlight.
At length Phil laid his hand un-
derstandingly on Mr. Kings shoulder.
The quiet sympathy brought a half
sob, and he turned and faced him.
"Old chap" ne said brokenly.
she's only been playing with me; she
loves another man."
He gently pressed the shoulder, but
said nothing, and they sped on and on
ever rough roads and smooth. fast
and ever faster, following the trail of
the night into the dawn Just as the
gray was giving way to the roseate
hues of early morning they reached
the top of a long hill; at the foot
WAS a railroad crossing. Never slack
ening. they started the descent.
About halfway down he shut off
the power and applied the brakes.
There was no slackening of the ter
rife speed, and he realized that he
could not stop the car; and on the
crossing, reaching entirely across the
road, was a freight train.
i've lost control" his voice was
scarcely more than a whisper.
Mr.. King looked at him as one in a
trance Phil steered for the side OF
the road where the grass was long
and soft
When they were near enough fer
one jumping to land on the soft sod
he said in a commanding tone:
Jump"
"But YOU" Mr. King looked hope
lessly at Phil
Clear and mcisive, the command
was repeated. He hesitated for
second, half standing, then he leaped,
and knew no more.
Phil, afraid to look at him, moved
quickly from under the steering
wheel, still keeping his hand on It, his
left hand on the arm of the seat. Sud
denly releasing his hold, when about
ten feet from the track, he jumped,
landing fiat in the dusty road.
A second later the car crashed into
the freight
When Mr. King came to, several
hours later In farmers house, his
tirst question was for Phil
Your chauffeur is safe" he was
told, but"
"What?" he questioned.
Your chauffeur isis a woman"
"A-oh, my Cod" he dropped back