Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-05-31
A RdCeFor
A Stake
But There Was More In It
Than the Money.
BY ALAN HINSDAlf

A number of persons stood on the
front porch of a summer hotel near
Washington, now looking at their
watches and now up the road as if ex-
pecting something or somebody. Among
them was a young lady dressed evil
IDENTIFY for an automobile ride.
IF he gets here at 3 o'clock he'll be
an hour ahead Of time," said one.
what time is he due in Washing
TONI" asked another.
"At g."
"What's up on it?'
"Oh, nothing valuable. It's gentle
mans race against time. A dozen
pairs of gloves are all there is in it."
Here he comes now"
The last one of these remarks was
scarcely spoken before a minute cloud
of dust was easily discernible up the
road. An automobile appeared mere
speck and began to grow in apparent
size. In another minute it pulled up
at the steps of the hotel. A young
man jumped out, calling for gasoline
and such other automobile equipments
as he needed. The lady mentioned
stepped up to him and said:
"Mr. Champlin, believe"
81 am" replied the auto man, bow
ing and trying to get hold of his cap
to pull it off.
"My cousin, Humphrey Cook, know
ing that was here, that adore auto
mobiling and that wish to go to the
city, has written me that you would
stop here and possibly would take
me in."
Mr.. Champlin hesitated.
'I'n be no trouble" the lady added.
"Really I should be delighted for
your company, but In case Of any de-
lay I may have to proceed at break
neck speed"
'The faster you go the better shall
like it."
Every well. Pm an hour ahead and
if nothing breaks shall have no trou-
BILE in reaching the goal on time. Are
you readyY
II am"
"Step in, Miss I beg your pardon.
didn't get your name"
"HoOd-Jaqueline Hood" replied the
girl
Mr.. Champlin started. Jack Hood"
he exclaimed.
'"The same. Is there anything about
3ack Hood that you don't like?"
I've heard she's the worst feminine
faredevil the world has ever seen"
you've also heard probably that she
knows all about an auto. Perhaps she
may aid you in case Of trouble
BY this time Miss Hood was settling
herself comfortably in the auto, tying
her veil under her chin. There was a
singular look on Champlin's face. He
had bet Humphrey Cook that he would
drive his auto to New York and return
by a given time. Might not Cook have
sent this girl to delay him?
"I'm sorry, Miss Hood" he said,
"but I've changed my mind about tax
ing you"
II haven't changed mine about 60
ing"
A bewitching smile lowered on her
lips, and her eyes danced with mis-
chief
Very WELL" he said, "I'n take you.
But remember that in case there's any
rascality perpetrated shall treat you
just as if you were a man.
Good! That's the way l wish to be
treated"
During this scene the Onlookers had
gathered around the machine, and at
the last words some of the men and
all the women clapped their hands.
Champlin got in, and the couple rolled
away, followed by cheers and the wav-
ing Of handkerchiefs. In another min
ute nothing could be seen of them but
tiny dust cloud.
For an hour Miss Hood entertained
the driver of the auto in such a way
as to make him forget everything but
her. Nevertheless his eye was on the
speed gauge and the clock, and moth
ing pertaining to winning his race was
neglected. There are women who can
do more with man in an hour than
other women can do in lifetime
Miss Hood simply absorbed him.
'Have you time to stop for glass
of milk?" she asked.
Certainly"
swell, there's a farmhouse off the
road up there. Would you mind get
ting one for mew
Mr.. Champlin stopped before the
gate and went up to the house. A wo-
man answered his knock at the door
and he went inside. He was no sooner
out of sight than Miss Hood Jumped
out, took a small nickel plated monkey
wrench from her belt, unscrewed q
nut and put it in her pocket. She had
not finished her work before Champlir
reappeared with a glass of milk in his
Nand. Miss Hood was awakened Il
his presence by hearing the breaking
Of glass on stone. Looking up, sh;
saw Champlin the picture Of astonish
ment and chagrin. He knew that h,
had been "done"
Striding with a quick step to tn,