The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-09

"why don't you warn Mr.. Harmon
at onceT"
Merkle rolled his head loosely You
don't know the man. He would laugh
at the Idea OF plot against him"
Mertle dozed again. half buried In
the cushions. They had passed Jamai-
ca. but It was not until II had swept |
into the Motor parkway that the
chauffeur let the machine out Over
the deserted plains II tore. cometlike.
a meteor preceded by streamer of /
light. The causeway lcaped into view |
and vanished beneath the wheels like |
a tremendous ribbon whirling upon |
spools. Merkle lay back incrtly. lolling |
and swaylng to the sidethrust OF the |
cushions. but Lorelei found her fists |
cllnched 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 go"
: and she dropped back with gasp.
They had been running thus for a long
time
Merkle reused to say. "Is this too
fast for you. Miss Knightr'
She laughed nervously "N-no. I'm
sorry l woke you"
Merkle inquired the time OF his
chauffeur, then directed him TO turn
$ homeward along the North shore.
D 81 shan't be selfish and keep you
out any longer. Miss Knight" he said.
:" "If you don't mind. I'll doze on the
In M Nr,- 40 ,ttfe IA.
o move In this Hammon affair
g The return trip was another hurtlng
r rush through the night, I'm silence
T. broken only by Merkle's demand for
9 more speed whenever the machine
e slackened its labor. The miles wheeled
5, past; the Sound lay TO the right
They were sweeping over a rolling
y North shore road when suddenly out OF
y blackness ahead blazed two binding
al headlights. With startling abruptness
a. they appeared over the crest of rise
n Merkle's driver swung to the right.
al The strange ear held to its course:
Of there was a blast of horns. a dazzling
X instant OF intense illumination, then
e. a crash as the inside mud-guards met
a Merkle's car seemed TO leap into the
e. air; there was a report OF an exploding
no tire: the automobile was bucking and
at humping. as II the pavement had been
f. turned into a corduroy road; then II
came TO a pause. half in the ditch
The other car held TO Its course and
n. whlzzed onward, leaving in its wake
a a drunken shout Of mockery and def
.ts ance.
or Marrow shave, that I wonder W,
en- weren't all killed" Merkle eyed tbs
'ly cars crumpled mud-guard and running
m board, then directed his driver TO as
,r- certain the extent OF the damage. Th'
lis motor was still throbbing. but a brie
i'd examination disclosed broken steer
'er ing knuckle and a bent axle in add
De- ton to an injured wheel.
al I'm terribly sorry, Miss Knight; bu
ay I'll have to send for another car" apol
rk. ogized Merkle.
Ike els. this splendid machine ruined 7
Sc He shrugged. That's the curse o
the these roads Somebody is always driy
ing recklessly. Lorelei smiled a
led memory of the miles they had covere
nd so swiftly; but she saw that he wa
He serious and in a sour temper. ION
nd risks his life on the whim OF som
n.y. drunken idiot the moment he enter
)ut a motor car. Now for a telephone"
eu- terse question to his man served to a
to their location.
,by Were not far from the Chateau,
ev- Merkle interpreted the answer "Tha
Ma place is always open, so II you don
'at- mind the walk Wen go ahead. II wi
Do take an hour to get one of my othC
machines. but meanwhile we can hay
In a bite to eat" At her cheerful accep
ance his tone changed.
to You're all right. Some wome
on. would be hysterical after such a shak
a UP. | swear, think | feel IL mol
on than you. If you were man I'd lii
ur- 10 have you for chum."
t The Chateau was a quasl-roadhous
Wis unsurpassed by any city restauran
on. and, being within an hours run by M
'nd tor. II received a liberal patronag
Ing Tips were large at the Chateau; 4
80 hospitality was famous among tho:
'as- who could afford the extravaganza {
ere midnight entertainment; and yet
he was a quiet place. No echo of whit
OCCuTItu Wlluih llS Wits ever ItdShe
the outside world. Sea-food, waffle
Ing and discretion were Its recognized sp
'iei. cialties, and people came for miles
mainly in pairs-to enjoy them.
ted As the pedestrians neared the av
en- nue. Of naples leading up to the houi
and they espied in the road ahead OF the
nan first the dull red glow OF a tail hgh
lew then n dusty license Dlate
men There's luck" Merkle calculate
and "I'll rent this car"
fed In the gloom several figures we
tile standing, facing In the direction OF Il
his Chateau. and when Merkle spoke the
he wheeled as II startled.
red, "No, you can't hire this machin
ian. What do you think this is, a ca
cen standr answered a gruff voice.
he's "Jimr' cried Lorelei. and ran 70
IN | xrord