The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-07

Bob In his ear. and sight met their
eyes that brought their own car to an
abrupt standstil.
In front of them was another motor
car. a small runabout. In it sat two
! girls facing them with dismayed coun-
tenances. The girl whose hands were
on the steering wheel was fair hair
ed, blue eyed maiden, and her compan-
ion was as dark as gypsy. and both
were pretty.
place aux dames!' murmured Bob
idiot! Kissed Ralph in his ear
Then, whipping off his cap. he address,
ed the fair motorists:
I'VE will back out, ladies', and permit
you to continue your way. The road
Is too narrow to turn in
"Oh, no! protested the fair one.
"You see, our car has broken down.
At least 1t refuses to move on"
perhaps we can help you," said
Ralph. And SO he and Bob fastened
to leave their own car. while they
questioned the girls concerning the
trouble with the runabout.
1T went beautifully until five min
utes ago. Then it stopped suddenly.
I suppose something has broken. You
see, Miss Wakely"-the fair one nod
ded toward her dark companion
wanted to leave the car here and
walk back. but l persuaded her to
wait awhile after we had tossed coin
to decide. So was right after ALL"
she chartered.
ut was certainly the wisest thing to
do" agreed Bob solemnly, while Ralph
made thorough inspection of the run
about
Engine doesn't work." announced
Ralph. How about your gasoline?"
A look of dismay overspread the
faces of the two girls.
"We never thought of thaty cried
the fair one.
"Oh, Dorothy Moore" murmured
Miss Wakely, "the next time you steal
a motorcar hope you'll see that there
Is plenty Of gasolinev'
"Steal!" repeated Dorothy indignant
~. Whose suggestion was it?"
The two young men bending over the
car looked at each other with startled
eyes.
II don't believe itv' declared Ralph
holly.
"You don't, eh? Why not? The
beauty said So" shifted Bob incredu-
lousy.
"The beauty! Huh! You don't call
the dark one a beauty, do you? Now.
the fair one-I may as well tell you,
Bob, she's the girl with the sprained
ankle!'
mo" said Bob incredulously.
| YES" corrected Ralph, with warn
| ing glance at his companion. He went
around to the front Of the car.
"Your gasoline tank is empty" he
announced, land from appearances
should say that it had been leaking
| badly for some time" He pointed
back down the road in the direction
whence they had come and showed a
black oily streak through the center
Of the white sand.
"What shall we do-walk back and
send some one after the machine?"
asked Dorothy Moore.
"Unless you will permit us to drive
you home In our car. We might tow
your machine"
"Oh, no! Let it stand here until
James sends for it. You see, it's my
brothers car. He's got brand new
one, and Hilda, Miss Wakely, and
thought 1t would be lark to go rid
ing in this one without James know
ing 1t. We smuggled 1t out Of the ga
rage and have only come this far, and
now we are stalled. James will be SO
grouchy" Dorothy sighed pathetically.
Bob had been using his ears to good
advantage. 81 beg pardon" he inter-
rupted, "but is Jim Wedge Moore your
brother?"
"Yes, Of course. Do you know himw
DorOthy's eyes were round with sur
prise.
"Classmate Of ours" Bob included
Ralph In gesture. "My names Kit
tredge, and this is Ralph Dodge"
1--WE heard James speak of you," ad-
mitted Miss Moore little breathlessly.
"Called me 'Bonehead Kittredge,'
didn't he?" asked Bob cheerfully, while
Miss Wakely suppressed smile.
eyes, he dld-a horrid Manner ad-
mitted Miss Moore. dimpling.
"Not at ALL" declared Bob. "You
see, was so clever that the chaps
simply gritted their teeth with rage
and envy and called me 'Bonehead' for
spite. 1t has quite the opposite mean
ing In my case"
81 don't doubt it, interpolated Miss
Wakely warmly, and Bob threw her a
melting glance of appreciation.
"What did they call you. Mr.
Dodge?" asked Dorothy, looking at
Ralph with interest.
"Oh. nothing at all. Miss Moore" he
said hastily. ~ went through unob-
trusively. leaving not even a footprint
of credit or fame behind In fact, no
one would ever know I'd been through
college If didn't advertise the fact"