Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-13

and barb-wire fences. Closer ant
closer drew the two cars. The dus
was SO thick now that Molly who hat
no goggles. could only shut her eye!
and cling, drawing her veil arount
her face as much as possible. The
machine in the lead shot ahead ant
what had been game of follow the
leader now became race in grim
earnest. Occasionally above the noise
Of the rushing cars, the voice Of the
man in the car ahead could be heard
urging the driver to greater speed anG
cursing him for an idiot and his ca,
rs so much junk.
They had made an enormous circle
and were nearing North Brockton by
the lower read. Just where 1t turned
into the village, was a large farm
house with smooth expanse of grass
from its doorstep to the road. Alger
non determined to pass at that point
the car ahead or something would hap
pen. Swept out Of himself, crazed fol
the time with the speed mania, he
forgot the girl beside him, forgot
everything, but that he must come in
ahead OF that machine In front that
dared to dispute the right of way with
him.
Molly never knew what happened
With eyes tight-shut from sheer ply.
steal necessity, clinging to the seat
for dear life. she felt sudden rush, a
swerve, jolt that nearly sent her out
Then Algernon laughed and they
dashed into the village street, the
other car tearing along behind
| "CNd ~ aaid fho etrnp "OOo'c a
woman! They only wanted to pass
u.s."
Algernon glanced back The other
car had stopped at the hotel and by
the light On the porch. he saw that
neither of the men was Hancock. They
were both strangers, the chauffeur, a
short thick-set fellow, the passenger
tall and lean with something vaguely
familiar In his dust-covered sallow
face. They were looking after the
car that had beaten them and talking
! in low voices, the passenger holding
his watch in his hand and seemingly
urging the other to do something which
| the other was refusing to do with re-
peated shakes Of the head.
The girl beside him laughed and Al
gernon turned to her full Of apology
which she waved aside.
81 liked it. Joe, honestly" she pro-
tested. please don't apologize. I
thought it was Hancock's car and I
didn't want him to beat-me."
"They were strangers said Al
gernon as he and Molly left the vii
lage behind and began to climb the
long hill toward home. IT wonder who
they were. They thought we were
chasing them, that is. the tall fellow
did. 1t was hired machine, think"
They were headed straight for
Canada and We turned them back"
laughed the girl. ri suppose they will
try it again tonight"
But Algernon shook his head. 81
dent think so. The tall fellow wanted
to- but the driver kept saying some
thing about the machine. guess the
gasoline had given out or something"
They puzzled over the affair during
the five miles home and parted at the
terrace steps. on perfect equality. for
getful that one was the mistress and
| the other her chauffeur. ~ y,@ h..
The next morning they met at the
edge Of the woods where the trees
touched the sands Of the little beach.
he wrapped in the horse blanket and
his usual jovial inanity, she in her old
cloak and that reserve she assumed
when reason was for the time domf-
nant over friendship and she was con
scious of their relationship. Algernon
felt a trife afraid of her and a bit
hurt. the feeling Of inferiority rank
ling before the girl and her dainty
charm. He had never been afraid Of
girl before nor been looked upon as
socially inferior and the feeling made
him bashful and austerely naughty.
Good morning." said she coldly. as
though there had not been the two
previous mornings and the night be-
fore Of friendliness to make a little
less Formally not only proper, but to
be expected.
Good morning" said Algernon.
"It's nice morning" he added out of
sheer embarrassment.
The girl looked at the fog that en-
tirely concealed the sloop and the dis
tant point of rocks and admitted that
1t was.
Going in?" asked Algernon picking
up handful Of sand and letting it
drift through his fingers. AS Molly
was at that moment removing her slip
pers and had already laid aside her
cloak, the answer was obvious.
"Yes," said she gravely
Algernon's mind being blank by
that time, he plunged into the water
and swan out to the sloop sure that
she would follow.
They sat on the deck and chatted a
while, but though the. girls reserve
melted, she was gravely thoughtful
and kept looking at him as if ponder
ing some serious idea with regard to
him. 1t was clear that there was
something on her mind
when you want to confess, how do
you begin?" she asked suddenly. She
was leaning forward, a hand holding
the deck on each side Of her, her
slim legs hanging over the edge, one
crossed upon the other, and she sought
to hide her wastful earnestness by a
little laugh.
II never confess" said Algernon
lightly 1T is always so embarrass-
ing to the other person"
Why" she asked, her eyes on the