The state herald., 1915-04-16

l
bered and outclassed. hopelessly beat
en-. Bartlett's fighting blood was up
at the thought Was he to have his
week spoiled by the worthless Al
phonse's deviltryf Bachelor should
not run the slightest chance of reach
ing Boston that day, If he could help
1t. Henrietta had little money In
her bag that would tide them over.
Better avoid anything to do with tele-
graph and telephones as long as pos
sible. They could make an attempt
to reach Harrison and get lost. But
getting lost wasn't as easy as 1t ap-
peared, when the general was along,
thoroughly determined not to get lost.
Bartlett's thoughts were broken in on
by the Watermelon In way that
caused him quick alarm. The young
man had at last awakened to the grav-
ity of the situation. as Bartlett had
been expecting him to do ever since
the trip began.
I'VE had better telephone" said the
Watermelon, "as Parker says. We can
telephone for money and have 1t sent
to Harrison, and we can ride to Harri-
son and probably get there the same
time as the money does and get the
train for Boston. It's time we were
back in New York. anyway"
The trip was ended and the sooner
he left Billy the better. He could give
them the slip at Harrison and once
more hit the road.
"Telephoning from here won't help
matters at all. objected Bartlett, fight
ing for that opportunity to get lost
again, Just for one more day-twelve
hours would be enough. I'VE can drive
to Harrison and telegraph from there.
1t is only ten.mile drive. We can
make 1t in fifteen minutes"
The Watermelon looked sharply at
Bartlett and wondered II he were up
to any tricks. The Watermelon had
only ten more miles OF Billy and he
didn't want to shorten the precious
time by confession II there we're no
need for one.
Let's hurry" said he. There was
no need of prolonging the misery in
the thought OF the parting.
Worrying over his affairs" thought
Bartlett. He has come to 1t at last &"
The general insisted upon driving,
and as 1t was his car, Bartlett perforce
had to be content. He protested. how
ever. that he knew the road thorough.
ly, and could direct the general with
no instructions at all from the farmer
waving them all good-naturedly aside
1t was after three. The day was In.
tensely warm. even in the shady wood
ed road on which they found them.
selves. They had been running
through the woods for nearly an hour
and apparently had not reached the
end OF 1t. The last abandoned farm.
house, gray, weather-beaten. forlorn.
had long ago been passed.
The general stopped the car and
turned sidewise to face those on the
back seat I'VE are lost" said he
Look at the odometer. We have come
twenty miles since we left Stoneham
and we are no nearer Harrisog In
when we started"
Lost again." walled Henrietta
How very stupid We are!"
Its my fault" admitted Bartlett
truthfully. but with contrition. Il said
to take this turn back there near that
barrel factory"
We can go back" suggested Billy.
Parker told me last night" said
the general gloomily. that there was
no settlement north OF here for fifty
miles, We have probably come
north"
III We have come twenty miles We
can go twenty more without dying"
said Bartlett
"a don't know" laughed Henrietta
Il am famished now"
so am l." woiled Billy. Henrietta.
haven't we n thing to eat?"
Not thing" said Henrietta.
Hit her up" cried Bartlett jovi-
ally. I'VE will break some more speed
laws. by George. want something to
eat"
we have heard nothing from IA
ther." teased Henrietta. her laughing
eyes on the Watermelon's face. full OF
tender amusement He was so young
and looked so serious and almost un.
happy that she was unhappy herself
The Watermelon was unhappy By
this time they should have beer in
Harrison. with the parting over. and
he wanted II over
We're nearing the end OF the
woods" cried Bartlett "And l think
| see u house"
And then the car stopped.
Gid sp." chirped Bartlett.
/. Henrietta leaned forward The gen
eral vas hastily trying all the brakes
slipping one lever then the other. fuss
ing here and fussing therc. and Henri
etta knew the synptons Of approach
. Ing trouble.