Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-24
FROM LUCuE'S DIARY

I ran in to see Maude Humphreys the day that Neil Sturtevant gave her large reception in her beautiful new home.
 Its like going to Milwaukee to visit one of those far northern suburbs, D I said. At what hour shall we set forth?''
 "Oh, dear! What long trip it will bel" sighed Maude. ''If we could only go in the machine it wouldn't be so least three lines of transportation 1t seems almost too much of burden why can't we go in the carp asked. That would simplify the journey very much.'
 Ernest doesn't take it out very often in winter It's an open car, you know. Besides he is out of town and even if he were home I wouldn't ask him to drive out to the Sturtevants'."
 ''No, of course not. It would be ask ing a good deal of a mere husband" l said laughingly. "But why not get a chauffeur to drive us?"
 Ernest always drives the car him. self. He says that's the fun of owning one. We never have chauffeur"
 Well, it's never too late to begin having one! It seems to me, Maude, that it's the rational thing to do. It's really shame to have perfectly good car languishing in the garage when you have such a long. hard trip to take. It would be so easy, dear, to get a chauffeur from the big garage on the corner, for the afternoon. Even if your car isn't limousine, We could be com fortable. I'll take the soapstone from ! our fireless cooker: Don't you think the drive will be delightful, this bright crisp day?"
 You certainly tempt me, but I don't know what Ernest would say" Why, I think he would be glad to have you use the car. It's yours as much as his, isn't it
 "Of course it is.'
 Well, then, we must get ready for the ride. What fun it will be! I'll run | home and heat the soapstone, and be- | lieve I'll borrow grandmother's ful 1 lined circular to wear outside my own coat. Have you plenty of warm things You can take mothers old blanket shawl for an extra wrap. There's lots | of warmth in it. You'd better tele- | pkone the garage while Pm here, so IT | know just when we're to start. Here I'll find the number for you. There | isn't any time to lose.'
 As soon as Maude had arranged fol | the chauffeur's services I flew home tC make preparations, and when the cal
 drew up in front of the house at 2 | little before 2 I was ready and waiting
 really pride myself upon being prompt
 Wont this be jolly fun?" cried a: | I took my place beside Maude. T hope it will be all right" she
 answered, without as much enthusiasm
 as I might have expected. And going out it was delightful
 so much pleasanter in every way thar travelling on street cars and trains However, coming back it was extreme ly cold and when we got home rushed
 right into the house without very
 formal adieux, for was chilled | IL, k@ ,rr1,1 11
 warm, as I was going to the theatre
 in the evening with George Require
 and I didn't think that he would ad-
 mire blue nose.
 This morning mother came to mt looking annoyed 'Lucile," she said you are so remarkably free from house hold care, but I wonder whether by any
 possibility you know the whereabout! Of the f1reless cooker soapstones. | can't see how such cumbersome thingi
 could be lost. lilly says that she lief | them in the cooker, but they're no 1 there. Who in the world would tak'
 them out?"
 Why" I laughed, 'T did, mother
 Mrs. Humphreys and I used them fol ] foot warmers the day we drove out tt 1 the Sturtevants."
 Well" mothers voice was impatient
 why didn't you put them back
 Where are they now?"
 | "Oh, I'm afraid forgot to take then
 out of the car. It was so freezing colt
 that jumped right out and ran in thu
 minute we got here"
 'T must ask you to go over to Mrs | Humphreys and get them, for Tilly
 is to bake beans and brown bread" | Cant lilly go?"
 | "No, she can't! She is busy mixing
 the bread,' answered mother, so al | though I don't like carrying awkard
 heavy bundles I ran over to Maude'
 and told her I must have the soapstone
 immediately.
 | Why, don't know where they are,
 she replied. You see, the car isn't il
 our garage now Oh. Lucille, tha
 dreadfully careless chauffeur we hat
 that day left the water in the radiato
 and when Ernest went to get the car
 as he does so often Sunday morning
 he found that the water had froze1 and burst the radiator. He was ter
 rihly annoyed" Maude sighed "I don
 know when he has been so vexed, ant