The Lamar register., 1916-12-27


speeded up.
"Whiz!'
Mrs. Ross was half frightened at
the lying progress, but duly excited
and smiled quite ioyously. After all
tnere was something refreshing In
passing two or three neIghbors with
a superiority OF speed that must have
nettled them.
Zip
Edgar Ross laughed uproariously.
They had overtaken the Riggs car.
They had glidpd by II like "a meteor.
Looking back, Mrs. Ross saw their
social rivals fairly engulfed in clouds
and clouds Of dust.
Some class 90 chuckled Ross. as
they flew along. Il certainly picked
a rare plum when grabbed this easy
bargain"
we are nearly an hour early" re-
marked Mrs Ross. as they came with
in sight Of the lights Of the club house
at Clear Lake.
And those other fellows will be
over an hour late, II they creep ut
the pace they started" chirped Ross,
Enjoying thls7'
IT'S very inspiring, but in a breath
less sort of way" responded Mrs.
Ross.
We've got lots OF time to spare.
Wen pass the club house and strike
the paved boulevard leading to the
city. A ten mile spin over that
smooth road will bring out the real
merits Of this elegant machine"
II did. There was no discounting
the speeding qualities Of the automo-
bile. II seemed to he possessed with
the speed demon Of a professional
racing car.
"Over a mile minute, see that !"
pzultuntly announced Ross, as they
turned around finally to return TO the
club house.
"why, what is the matter now,
EdgnrT" inquired Mrs. Ross, Ms the
machine which had hitherto behaved
supcrbly. began TO back, slow down
and pound.
lie got out and looked over the
cnrhuretor. radiator and vibrator. He
managed to make the machine cover
about mile at snail's pace until
they reached roadside garage sta
ton. The mechanic came out at the
signaling horn loot.
Something the matter" volun-
teered Ross and the man looked over
the machine.
"out of juice. that's ALL" he OBJ
served expertly.
"Fill her up" ordered Ross and got
out while the man removed the seat
cushion and uncapped the gasoline
tank.
'Phewi" he calculated in a stran-
Cling tone, get a whiff of that"
Ross applied his face close to the
orifice He drew back, coughing and
sputtering.
"Chloroform he suggested in a
sufiocated voice.
mo, ether" corrected the mechanic
what did you put that stun in for,
anyway"
81 didn't. 1 just bought the ma
chine"
HIN" muttered the man artisan
thoughtfully and with quiet smile
Il see Doped to sell"
What do you mean7" inquired
Ross, his spirits sinking.
why, the machine probably won't
go very well on gasoline. That
vaporizing ether, though, is dynamic,
and the fellow who fleeced you knew
Just how to proportion the mixture.
Don't you try it-dangerous."
He shot ia five gallons Of gasoline
and Ross started up the machine. 1t
went, but all its speed glory had
vanished. II crept. creaked. The
crestfallen Ross took n side road to
avoid meeting any Of his rival neigh
bors.
what are you going to do, Edgarf'
ventured Mrs. Ross.
I'm goiEg home!" snapped out her
incensed husband. I'm going to get
\ wood axe and chop up this misera,
BILE wreck Two to one II | don't
take the same instrument and go
hunting for the villain who ieeced
me ~
It took three hours to get back
home and then in drenching down
pour Next day Ross sold the car for
what 1t would bring.
oh Edgar" observed Mrs. Ross
two evenings later, what do you
think? Mrs. Riggs was over today"
"Gloating over their new machine,