The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-06
MOTOR MAID MARIAN
Nv HOPE AINSLEE.

eral Malvery sighed as he realized that
he could no longer take his daily drive
through the glorious country roaus.
His only son had Joined the army anu
gone to the front and without BOBBY
To drive the car to the station ana re-
turn home with it the general founo
his motor useless. He wished he nad
been able to run the car himself. the
Indian mutiny of long ago had roDDed
him of his right arm.
A few minutes later he looked up
with a smile. THE women are COM
ing forward in this crisis with great
spirit" he said. Here is a young girl
advertising for position as chauffeur
and gardener. Says she would like 10
take the place Of son who has gone
to fight for his country" The general
looked up wonderingly at his wife.
"That young lady would be treas
ure. Is the salary too awfully Target"
Mrs. Malvery questioned hopefully.
"She asks no salary. bless her." re-
piled the general. "She asks only
housing and feeding"
I'VE will write today" Mrs. NAL
very said promptly, her eyes shining.
So it was that General Malvery and
his wife became the possessor of
motor maid,'' as Marion Wells chose
to designate her calling.
"My brother has gone to the front"
she told her employers while she, too,
tried to hide the tragedy in her brave
smile. HE is all the family l have.
Life was intolerable without occupa-
ton"
She was a slim, pale girl whose
eyes shone with determination and
hope. Otherwise Marian Wells had
nothing to compel admiration. Her
hands, too, were slim and white. The
marvel was that they were so useful
pair of hands She handled the gar
den tools no less skillfully than she
managed the wheel of General Nal
very's motor.
Marian had been shown the portrait
Of Bobby Malvery and, as all women
did, she had freely expressed her ad-
miration for the clean-cut, debonair
private in the Irish Guards.
my brother, also, is in the Irish
Guards" she said 1T would be
strange If Dudley and your son should
be fighting side by side"
There was no opportunity to write
and ask, for It was not day later
that news reached the Malvery home
from the front The two men had
fought side by side, or rather Bobby
Malvery had fallen exhausted from
wounds and it was Dudley Wells who
had gone out under heavy fire to drag
his comrade back to the trenches.
Now both men were coming home
wounded but cheerful.
HE saved my life for you who love
me-" BODY had written to his parents.
Marian laughed softly when this was
read to her. There were tears run
ming unrestrainedly down the cheeks
Of the two women and the general
buried himself in the depths of the
daily paper.
Soon everyone in the Malvery house
was dashing about preparing rooms
and putting fresh flowers in vases.
The general stood on the railway
platform, blowing his nose vigorously
and trying to look unaffected, when
two stalwart men in khaki and band
ages were swept into the embrace of
Marian and Mrs. Malvery. No one
said anything for long moment. The
general laid the arm the Indian mu.
tiny had left him across the shoulders
of his son. Bobby looked up and
smiled into his fathers eyes over his
mothers head. Then the general Of
: fered his hand to that other hero who
was Marian's brother. After that they
all burst into speech at once. The
tension was over.
Marian, in her neat brown uniform
led the way and stepped into the
drivers seat Of the car. She smiled
softly at her brother as his eyes
opened wide. He had not known thai
Marian was helping her country after
this fashion. She told him the stor,
as they spun along.
There are not many girls like you.
! was all Dudley said
And that, naturally, was the exac
opinion Bobby Malvery held from tn,
moment Of his arrival home Genera
and Mrs. Malvery soon exchange,
glances that suggested their havin,
: discussed a probability. Bobby ha,
done with startling swiftness and en-
s ergy that which from the first the,
? had thought possible. He had fallei
( hopelessly in love with Marian as tn
s motor maid"
e Il wonder whether I shall give tn
bride away or be best man." Dudle
laughed one day while he was stroll
}. ing with General and Mrs Malver
y about the fading gardens. Bobby an
: Marian had gone off together for
short spin through the twilight Ems
fish lanes.
You are to be my second son, Duo
l. ley" Mrs. Malvery smiled and lai
n her hand affectionately on his III
bandaged arm.
d I'VE have managed to pick up
4. rather jolly family" the old gener,
g. chuckled happily.
IL Out in the motor car Bobby locke
II blissfully into the shining eyes of til
'e girl whose slim fingers were guidin
ID the car so firmly. His uninjured arr
ID had slipped closely about her waist
a. Well all be tremendously happ,
ut my little motor maiden" ne viii
oil pered. with his head against he
ID shoulder.
lie And the car chugged contentedIy q
r. through the winding, fragrant lance