Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-09-14


don't know the man. He would laugh
at the idea of plot against IN"
Merkle dozed again, half buried in
the cushions. They had passed Jamai-
ca, but it was not until it had swept
into the Motor parkway that the
chauffeur let the machine out. Over
the deserted plains 1t tore, cometlike,
meteor preceded by a streamer of
light. The causeway leaped into view
and vanished beneath the wheels, like
tremendous ribbon whirling upon
spools. Merkle lay back inertly, lolling
and swaying to the side thrust of the
cushions, but Lorelei found her fists
clinched and her muscles hard with
the nervous strain. Finally she pushed
the shield forward, and, leaning over
the front seat stared at the tiny dash
light. The finger of the speedometer
oscillated gently over the figure "eO,"
and she dropped back with gasp.
They had been running thus for long
time
Merkle reused to say, els this too
fast for you, Miss knight"
She laughed nervously. "N-no. I'm
sorry I woke you"
Merkle inquired the time of his
chauffeur, then directed him to turn
homeward along the North shore.
II shan't be selfish and keep you
out any longer, Miss Knight" he said,
"If you don't mind, I'll doze on the
way in, and try to figure out the next
move in this Harmon affair.""
The return trip was another hurtling
rush through the night, in silence
broken only by Merkle's demand for
more speed whenever the machine
slackened it's labor. The miles wheeled
past; the Sound lay to the right.
They were sweeping over a rolling
North shore road when suddenly out of
blackness ahead blazed two binding
headlights. With startling abruptness
they appeared over the crest of rise:
Merkle's driver swung to the right.
The strange car held to its course:
there was a blast Of horns, dazzling
instant Of intense illumination, then
crash as the inside mud-guards met.
Merkle's car seemed to leap into the
air; there was report of an exploding
tire; the automobile was bucking and
humping, as If the pavement had been
turned into a corduroy road; then, it
came to a pause, half in the ditch.
The other car held to its course, and
whizzed onward, leaving in its wake
drunken shout of mockery and def
ance
Marrow shave, that I wonder we
weren't all killed" Merkle eyed the
cars crumpled mud-guard and running
board, then directed his driver to as
certain the extent of the damage. The
motor was still throbbing, but a brief
examination disclosed a broken steer
ing knuckle and bent axle in addi-
ton to an injured wheel.
I'm terribly sorry, Miss knight; but
I'll have to send for another car" apol-
ogized Merkle
us this splendid machine ruinedY"
He shrugged. "That's the curse of
these roads. Somebody is always driv-
ing recklessly. Lorelei smiled at
memory of the miles they had covered
so swiftly; but she saw that he was
serious and in sour temper. zone
risks his life ON the within of some
drunken idiot the moment he enters
a motor car. Now for telephone" A
terse question to his man Served to fix,
their location.
Were not far from the Chateau"
Merkle interpreted the answer. "That
place is always open, so If you don't
mind the walk we'll go ahead 1t will
take an hour to get one Of my other
machines. but meanwhile we can have
a bite to eat" At her cheerful accept
ance his tone changed.
You're all right Some women
would be hysterical after such shake
UP. l swear, I think I feel it more
than you. If you were a man I'd like
to have you for chum."
The Chateau was quasi-roadhouse
by any city restaurant,
and, being within an hours run by mo-
tor, it received a liberal patronage
Tips were large at the Chateau; its
was famous among those
who could afford the extravaganza Of
midnight entertainment; and vet it
was quiet place. No echo of what
occurred within its walls ever reached
the outside world. Sea-food, waff1es,
and discretion were it's recognized spe-
cialties, and people came for miles
mainly in pairs-to enjoy them.
AS the pedestrians neared the ave-
nue. Of naples leading up to the house
they espied in the road ahead of them
first the dull red glow of a tail light,
then dusty license plate.
There's luck" Merkle calculated.
"I'll rent this carr
In the gloom several figures were
standing, facing in the direction of the
Chateau, and when Merkle spoke they
wheeled as If startled
mo, You can't hire this machine.
What do you think this is, a cab
stand?" answered a gruff voice.
"Jim" cried Lorelei, and ran for
ward.