Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-05-28
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
PHIL, THE CHAUFFEUR
BY EDWARD BRANDON.

"Ten miles to Albany" the sign
read. Phil. the chauffeur, glanced in
ouiringly at Mr.. King, for whom he
had been driving all through the sum-
mer
Shall let her out, sir?''
Mr.. King nodded, then, turning con-
fidingly 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 attentivefy to every
word, and by subtle understanding
invited further confidence.
I don't quite know" Mr.. King
spoke apologetically, why always
have had desire to confide in you,
but I simply must"
Phil smiled proudly, and opening
up the valves slowly Increased the
speed until the trees and fences were
mere specks, so quickly we're they
passed. Finally they slowed down,
then drew UP in front Of a 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 a 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 great
resentment grew in his heart toward
the woman, who in his estimation
was far from good enough for his EN-.
ployer.
He 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 Phils 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 I'M
derstandingly on Mr.. Kings shoulder.
The quiet sympathy brought half
sob, and he turned and faced him.
"Old chap he 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
over 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 long hill; at the foot
was 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 for
one jumping to land on the soft sod
he said in commanding tone:
Jump"
But you" Mr. King looked hope
1essly at Phil
was repeated. He hesitated for a
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 1t, 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
first question was for Phil.
Your chauffeur is SAFE" he was
told, but"
'FWhat?" he questioned.
Your chauffeur Isis a woman"
"A-oh, my Godi" he dropped back
on the couch
A year later they were in a brand
new car. Phil, in a long coat and tiny
hat. was driving.
phil, dear" he said tenderly, you
must be proud OF having been a
chauffeur. for 1t isn't every fatherless
girl who would do so much to sup
port her mother. ! love you for it.
and thousand other things. You
saved my life, you know, and all j