The Holly chieftain., 1915-01-01

tn0 uncOuQueIoDle yOutn or tne moo
ern age radiated from every fold Of
her dainty frock. from the big hat
and graceful veil. Her hair vas soft
and brown and thick. her mouth Vas
rather large. thin-lipped and hnnor-
Gus. and yet pathetic. the mouth OF
one who laughs through tears. seeing
the piteous. SO closely intermingled
with the amusing. Her eyes we're
brown, clever, with delicate brows
and high. smooth forehead. The Wa
termelon decided that she was not
pretty. but distinctly classy. He
smiled at the friendliness he saw In
the eyes and turned to the old gentle
man. who was now thoroughly alb
sorbed
Il need q monkey-wrench." said he
Il thought at first that there was
something the matter with the car
buretor. but think now that 1t 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
let US tow you to some garage" said
the lady timorously. her voice barely
audible above the old genueman's
noisy administrations.
Search me-" returned the Water
welon. standing by to lend assistance
with every tool from the box in his
arms or near by where he could reach
1t instantly at an tmperious com
mand
Automobiles" said the lady. ARE
like the modern schoolmarms. always
breaking down.,
Like hoboes." suggested the Water
melon. always broke"
The old gentleman Strengthened up.
There is something the matter with
the gasoline inlet valve" hs An
nounced firmly.
surmised the Watermelon. catching
the oilcan as It was about to slip
from his already overburdened hands.
mo. no." returned the old gentle
man reassuringly. as he buttoned his
long linen ulster securely. "The crank
shaft seems to be all right. but the"
He knelt down, still talking. and
the Watermelon had horrible fear
for q moment that his would-be bene-
factor was about to offer up prayers
for the safety Of the car. He reached
out his hand to stay proceedings.
when the old gentleman spoke:
Il must get under the car"
Maybe it's all right" suggested the
| Watermelon, who did not like the idea
of being forced to go after him with
the tools.
Father" the lady's voice was gen
tie. but firm. and the old gentleman
paused. Let Alphonse 30. You know
we are to dine with the Bartletts. Al
phonse. please find out what the
trouble is."
Alphonse alighted promptly. He was
a thin. dapper little man. with a
blase superiority that was impressive
as betokening professional knowl-
edge Of the idiosyncrasies of motor
cars. He approached the car and an
nounced the trouble practically at
| once.
There is no gasolene."
The old gentleman was not in the
least perturbed over his own slight
error in judgment. "A frequent, very
frequent oversight" said he, rising
I'VE will tow you to the hotel. my
dear sir. You can get the gasolene
there"
Never mind" said the Watermelon.
II can hoof It,"
"Hoof I'll" The old gentleman was
panied and hurt. "Hoof 1t. when !
have my car right here! No. indeed
Alphonse. get the rope"
The Watermelon protested. "Aw.
really. you know"
Weren't you going to the hotel7"
II was thinking some OF 1t. But
the car"
"Alphonse. get the rope. It will be
a pleasure. We have always got to
lend assistance to a broken car. We
may be In the same fix ourselves some
day"
Alphonse brought the rope and the
| Watermelon watched them adjust it
When the last knot was tied to the
old .gentleman's liking. he turned to
the Watermelon and presented him
with his card. The Watermelon took
It and read the name. Brig. Gen
Charles Montrose Crossman. U. g. A..
Retired" Then, not to be outdone.
he reached In the still unexplored
pockets Of his new clothes with conf
dent ease, and finding pocketbook
drew 1t forth. opened 1t on the mere
chance that there would be card
within, found one and presented 1t
| Y~A