The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-22

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commonplace and meek. But no!
None of these things happened, and
decline to perjure myself for the priv
ilege of getting into the list of six
best sellers
So far as am able to Judge there
was absolutely no heroism displayed
during our flight through the hills and
valleys unless you are willing to ac-
cept as such single dash of sixty
miles an hour which Britton, made In
threatened to flank us IL we observed
the speed laws.
But wait. There was an example of
bravado on my part that shall not go
unrecorded. hesitated at first to put
1t down in writing, but my sense of
honor urges me to confess everything.
1t happened just after that memorable
picnic luncheon In the shady dell The
countess, | maintain. was somewhat
to blame for the incident. She sug-
gested that we-tbat is to say. the two
of us-explore the upper recesses of
this picturesque spot. while the others
were making ready for the resumption
of our journey.
Shame. c9ntrition. humiliation or
whatever you may elect to call it. for
bids lengthy or even apologetic ex-
PLANTATION of what followed her unfor-
tunate suggestion. shall get over
with it in as few words as possible.
in the most obscure spot in all those
ancient bills ! succumbed to an ex.
ecrabe impulse to take her forcibly in
my arms and kiss her! don't know
why did it or how. but that is just
what happened. My shame. my horror
over the transcendental folly was made
almost unbearable by the way In which
she took it At first thought she had
swooned. she lay so limp and unre.
sisting in my arms. My only excuse.
whispered penitertly in her ear, was
that | couldn't help doing what had
done and that | deserved to be drawn
and quartered for taking advantage of
my superior strength and her gentle
forbearance. Strange to say. she mere
ly looked at me in sort of dumb
wonder and quietly released herself,
still staring at me as if | were the
most inexplicable puzzle In the world
Her cheeks. her throat. her brow grew
warm and pink with just indigna-
ton. Her lips parted. but she uttered
no word. Then followed her defect
edly, cravenly back to the roadside and
executed an inward curse that would
hang over my miserable head so long
as 1t was on my shoulders.
Her vivacity was gone She shrank
down into the corner of the seat. and,
with her back half turned toward me,
gazed steadfastly at the panoramic val
ley which we were skirting. From
time to time | glanced at her out of
the corners of my eyes. and eventually
was somewhat relieved to see that she
had closed her own and was doing.
My soul was in despair. She loathed.
despised me- | could not blame her.
| despised myself
And yet my heart quickened every
time allowed myself to think of the
act | had committed.
The day was a glorious one, and the
road more than passably good. We
bowled along at steady rate of speed
and sundown found us about twenty
five miles from our destination. Not
caring to run the risk of prolonged
stay in the town. we drew up at a
roadside inn and had our dinner In the
quaint little garden. afterward pro.
ceeding leisurely by moonlight down
the sloping highway.
Billy Smith met us six or eight miles
out. and We stopped to parey He ex-
amined the countess skillfully pre-
pared passports. pronounced them gen.
uine and then gave us the cheerful
news that everything was lovely and
the goose HING high" The train for
the coast was due to leave the Stats.
bahnhof at 1905. and we had an hour
to spare. He proposed that we spend
1t quite comfortably at the roadside
while Britton went through the pre-
tense Of repairing our tires. This
seemed an agreeable arrangement for
every one but Britton. who looked so
glum that l, glad of the excuse, offered
to help him.
No sooner was | out of the car and
Billy Smith In my place beside the
countess than she became quite gay
and vivacious once more. She laughed
and chatted with him In a manner that
promptly convinced me that propin-
Guity so far as ! was concerned had
had most depressing effect upon her
and that she reveled in the change of
companions.
i was so disturbed by the discovery
that Britton had to caution me several
times to handle the inner tubes less
roughly or would damage them and
We might suffer blowout after all.
Every one appeared to be gay and
frivolous, even Blake. who chattered
soto voce with Britton. that excellent
rascal spending most Of his time lean
ing against the spare tires In order to
catch what she was saying for his ben
eft. All efforts to draw me into the
general conversation were unavailing.
l was as morose and unresponsive as
an Egyptian mummy. and for very
excellent reason, submit. The count
ess deliberately refused to address a
single remark to me. Indeed, when
seemed perilously near I, being drawn
into the conversation she relapsed into
silence that was most forbidding.