The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1917-06-09

by Jove, | believe II Is muttered
Bob In his ear. and a sight met their
eyes that brought their own car to an
abrupt standstill.
In front OF them was another motor
car. a small runabout. In 1t sat two
girls facing them with dismayed cOun.
tenances. The girl whose hands were
ON the steering wheel was u fair hair
ed, blue eyed maiden. and her conlIan-
ion was as dark us u gypsy. aud both
were pretty.
place aux Danes murmured Bob.
'Idiotr' Kissed Ralph In his ear.
Then. whipping OF his cap. he address
ed the fair motorists:
rive will back out. ladies. and permit
you to continue your way. The road
IL too narrow to turn in
"Oh. no. protested the fair one.
You zee. our car has broken down.
At least II refuses to move on
Perhaps We can help you" said
Ralph And so he and Bob hastened
to leave their own car. while they
questioned the girls concerning the
trouble with the runabOut.
at went beautifully until five min,
utes ago. Then 1t 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 persuaded her to
wait awhile after we had tossed coin
to decide. So was right after all"
she chartered.
at was certainly the wisest thing to
d." agreed Bob soiemnly. 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.
I'VE never thought OF thatr' cried
the fair one.
"Oh. Dorothy Moore murmured
Miss wakely. 1.-The next time you steal
a motorcar hope you'll see that there
is plenty Of gasoline-'
Steal" repeated Dorothy indignant
Iy. Whose suggestion was it,
The two young men bending over the
car looked at each other with startled
eyes.
II don't believe it," declared Ralph
hotly.
You don't. eh? Why not: The
beauty said So shifted Rob incre,iu-
iously.
THE beauty! Huh! You don't call
the dark one a beauty. do yon! Now.
the fair one-I may as well tell you.
Bob. she's the girl with the sprained
ankle!''
mo-" said Bob incredulously.
4. 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 1t had been leaking
badly for some time" He pointed
back down the road In the direction
whence they had come aud 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 1t stand here until
James sends for 1t. You see. It's my
brothers car. He's got a brand new
one. and Hilda. Miss Wakely. and |
thought 1t would be a 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. Il beg pardon" he inter-
rupted. but Is Jim Wedge Moore Your
brother?'
"Yes. Of course. Do you know him:"
Dorothys eyes were round with sur
prise.
"Classmate Of ours" Bob included
Ralph in a gesture. MY names Kit
tredge. and this is Ralph Dodge"
1--WE heard james speak Of you." adj
mitted Miss Moore little breathlessly.
Called me 'Bonehead Kittredge.'
didn't he?" asked Bob cheerfully. while
Miss Wakely suppressed smile.
Yes. he did-a horrid nnme.' ad
mitted Miss Moore. dimpling.
mot 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. It has quite the opposite mean
ing In my case"
II don't doubt It," interpOlated Miss
Wakely warmly. and Bob threw her H
melting glance of appreciation.
What did they call yon. Mr..
Dodge?" asked Dorothy, looking at
Ralph with interest.
"Oh. nothing mt all. Miss Moore" he
said hastily. II went through unob.
trusivclS. leaving not even footprint
Of credit or fame behind. In fact. no
one would ever know I'd been through
college n I didn't advertise the fact"