The state herald., 1915-01-29

ioWaTu nlm. IL was touring Cur, plk
md blue. An elderly gentleman, fat,
serious. important. was at the wheel.
Beside him sat lady. and chauf-
fcur languished In the tonneau.
Hello. Thomas" called the old
gentleman with the affability of per.
forming elephant. addressing the Wa
| termelon by the name of his car, as
Is the custom of the road.
Hello, William" answered the Wa
termelon. wondering why they called
him Thomas.
The old gentleman flushed angrily
and the lady laughed. delightful
laugh of girlish amusement. The Wa
termelon smiled.
I'VE are Packard" explained the
old gentleman stifiiy
Are you?" said the Watermelon,
wholly unimpressed by the informa.
ton. We'll, amt Thomas"
Il called you by the name of your
car" said the old gentleman. Il sur
mise that you have not had one long. y
81 don't feel as IL / owned 1t now u
the Watermelon admitted.
The old gentleman smiled genially.
Anything was pardonable but Hip
pancy In response to his own utter
ances, none of which was ever lack
ing in weight or Importance. The
young man. it seemed, was only igno-
rant
Are you in trouble?" he asked
with CLEAN of anticipated pleasure
in his eyes. To tinker with a ma
chine and accomplish nothing but a
crying need for an immediate bath
was his dearest recreation.
NO" said the Watermelon, thinking
of the three, ten. in the pocket of the
new clothes and of the lonely swim
mer. 81 ain't-yet."
The old gentleman was vaguely dis
appointed. Can you run your ma.
chine?" he asked, hopeful of a reply
in the negative.
NO" said the Watermelon.
Wont go. eh?" The old gentle
man turned off the power in his car
and stepped forth, agilely, joyfully
prepared to do irreparable damage to
the strangers car. He drew off his
gloves and slipped them into his
pocket, then for a moment he hesi-
tated.
Where is your chauffeur"
Il haven't one" said the Water.
melon.
The old gentleman disapproved.
al
machine. you should have one," said
he oratorically. 81 am practically an
expert. and yet always take mine
with me-"
He waved aside any comment on
his own meritorious conduct and fore
sight and turned to the machine.
Father" suggested the lady gently,
maybe you had better let Alphonse-"
Alphonse, sure OF the reply. made
no move to alight and assist.
The old gentleman. with head near
ly out OF sight, peering here and
there. tapping this and sounding that,
replied with evident annoyance. Ger.
tainly not. Henrietta. ! am perfectly
capable"
His words traiied of into vague
mutterings.
The Watermelon glanced at the
lady, girl or woman. he was not sure
which. Between thirty and thirty-tive.
the unconquerable youth of the mod.
ern age radiated from every fold OF
her dainty frock. from the big hat
and graceful veil. Her hair was soft
and brown and thick. her mouth was
( rather large. thin.lipped and humor-
Gus. and yet pathetic, the mouth OF
one who laughs through tears. seeing
the piteous. so closely intermingled
with the amusing. Her eyes were
brown. clever. with delicate brows
and high. smooth forehead. The Wa
termelon decided that she was not
pretty. but distinctly classy. lie
smiled at the friendliness he saw in
the eyes and turned TO the old gentle
man. who was now thoroughly alb
sorbed.
Il need monkey-wrench,' said he
Il thought at first that there was
something the matter with the car.
buretor. but think now that It must
be in the crank shaft assembly.
"oh. yes" agreed the Watermelon
vaguely. and got the wrench from the
tool-box as directed.
IL think that maybe you had bet