The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-23
The EUe,,i,e Story



CALCULATED u two tires popped in the
same half second. with a sound like
cannon, there in the deep green woods.
progress was well-nigh impossible
without patching-which meant att
least an hours delay. They were al
ready fearfully late-at the best the
garden party would be half over. Now
the prospect was to miss it alto
gether. Mildly heaved q deep sigh in
thinking 30. but Hartwell laughed a.
lazy. half-satisfied laugh.
Don't shoot-but truly told you
So" he said. Told you we'd never
get safely over this Wanted shortcut
of yours. Indeed l doubt II it h even
a long cut-my sense OF direction says
it goes away from Gray Top, not to 1t.
II you had let me ask that man"
shut up! If me no if" Mildly res
torted. He had got out and was al
ready helping the chauffeur all he
dared. having regard for festive at
tire. Hartwell stretched himself easily
on a bank of leaves-the shade was
too think for grass. Though they
were old leaves. two dry weeks had
made them RUSTY and fairly sweet
smelling, an inviting bed to q man
constitutiona11y indolent.
'sGet up! It's aggravating enough
without seeing you look as II you were
already at the party-with pretty girls
waitings and beaming on your celeb
rity," Mildly commented.
Hartwell only stretched himself
more languidly, half closed his eyes
and murmured sleepily: wake me at
the crisis-then may be some good"
Next second he sprang up, peering
eagerly down the woods lengths.
There he saw a sylvan goddess-at
least she seemed such, in q short,
ecant, leather-bordered, dull green
frock, with a tiny green cap browning
thick black hair and curious bundle
under her arm. 1t was really the tri-
pod of a spider-legged folding camera
closed it had some suggestion OF
Pipes O. Pan. She stood still. but hesi-
tant; evidently she had taken in all
wells eyes she came forward. stepping
with the motion Of fawn.
MAY I offer help? You know the
comfy Of motorists
of deifverance," Mildly Interrupted
eagerly, running on quickly to explain
their plight. their need.
She heard him, smiling family.
then answered refiectiveiy: You took
the wrong fork at the crossroads. Gray
| Top is-oh, miles from here. Rough
| road. too-you'n never make it in time
mot even If you started in half an
hour. But-don't hate ne for a croak>
| ing raven--yOu can get there-if you
will-for the fag-end of things
IF we will! Show us! Well be your
| slaves for life" Milby said eagerly.
! Her smile strengthened Mrs. Gray.
Of Gray Top, will likewise be grateful"
she said. II know her-a little-but
that doesn't matter-to get you there.
Take my car; my chauffeur knows a
| way around that permits speed"
Il think we should do no such
| thing-staying here il much. much
pleasanter than any garden party can
be-" Hartwcll spoke, his first word
after faint greeting.
| The goddess laughed softly. For
you. perhaps, but how about the 81
varieties Of adoring young women. all
prettied up, their very best, in hope to
see their pet author? You see I know
you, Mr.. Hartwell. Your pictures
come even here into the backwoods.
Besides, have heard-well. things"
That does not trouble me-not
little bit-I know you won't tell-not
even IL they are hanging matters"
Hartwell retorted.
! She shook her head at him, asking:
| How can you possibly know? Are
you a wizard-or I wholly trans
parent
Neither" he aswered promptly.
"But you are what IL much rarer
than a Neutrality-suspicious. who
has the good taste to prefer silence
| to cabling, else you'd be at the gar
den party. Tot here ready to sacri-
flee us to the Goloch Of hospitality
For sllames'' the girl said, her eyes
twinkIing. Suppose I wasn't asked
and. suiting. came out here to snap a
few silly birds
| Il can't suppose the impossible
Hartwell returned.
She answered only by motionlng them
to footpath. almost imperceptible. but
quickly broadening into q plain track.
tt lo<7 iv,kr> srvn,pv.da dAl39hff1,l ,,ucetnf
! yet well kept. then ON to cement
garage, IN front of which stood trig
car, with chauffeur l0ungine at the
wheel Before ne could speak, she
waved him to Keep silence. then bum
J died those she had rescued hastily I'M
side. gave them parting smile and
vanished in the shrubberies even be-
fore the Quickening motion had taken
them out of sight
Extremes meet-good luck ana
bad" Hartwen said resignedly.
Milby nodded.
"You don't understand" said Hart
well. 1.-THE good luck was getting lost
and popping those fool tires: the III.
having to go on
Mflby shook inst at him. then be-
gan to smoke vigorously. After bit
/ Hartwell stirred uneastly. saying.
l''Now. why wouldn't she come with
us 81
Milby nung = kindly oath at him.
saying. I'm jolly glad she didn't.
You're hard hit. but / shan't let You
see her again. Never told you tin
now. hut this party settles your NJ
ture: it's got mp especially to match
you on with LOris Denham-Wtth q
frich wife to hack your cursed ecru-
paes. your ha1r-trigger honeuey rn
make You president in shout ten
years.
..Oh, indeed" Hartwelf fiunx back
shaken with laughter. .0oing to do
l lust that for Little Boy Blue. Sup
kpDee the lady objeetse ARP We to try
Iy3olenco--though Il - Of comr1e. I'M