Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-07-05
"THE ACCIDENT"
BY KATHERINE HoPsoN.

crane 10 "AnOrnOrluBe unaL summer.
IT was pleasant surroundings and
Anne Van Ranseller that caused him
TO linger there. Not that Anne con-
Bciously augmented his staying. Such
an act would have been beneath the
dignity of a Van Ranseller.
There's a LIMIT to the cordiality
one may give a perfect stranger who
comes without credentials" she had
declared to some of her friends when
Crane first came to town. Neverthe-
less, when matters came to a climax
q short time before he was to leave,
Anne was terribly distressed. She felt
that anything she might say to this
whole-souled, unassuming man would
hurt him vitality, and she didn't want
Ito marry him. He was not at all the
sort of mar she had always pictured
herself as marrying. He was without
family backing or social position. But,
in spite of this, his viriIe personality
made a strong appeal.
She was surprised at the pang of
regret she felt when he could not
go to the picnic that had been planned
by the Thornbridge younger set next
day. He was obliged to be out of
town for the day on business, and
Anne attended the picnic with her mar
ried sister in the latter's car.
The June day was glorious, the air
soft and invigorating, the car smooth
running; but Anne's fair face wore a
look of discomfort. OF what use is 1t
to be pretty and young, with a new
auto veil draped most becomingly over
a fetching hat, when there is no one
around to appreciate the effect?
When they reached the picnic
grounds, Anne, with forced gayety,
Joined the other girls in setting out
the picnic dinner, and throughout
the day kept up an appearance of mer-
riment.
Shortly before the picnic party was
ready to start home, someone drove
up in a smart little runabout and Anne
saw with a start of surprise 1t was Ed
mund Crane.
SCOT In ON the afternoon train In
stead Of tonight" he explained in his
breezy way.
When they were ready to go they
found the chauffeur working with the
Burke car. At last he turned and
said with a look of sheepish concern
on his stolid face:
'Tm sorry, but the car is out of
commission. I'll have to telephone
for a man to COM out from town
and fix it."
"How long will it take to get 1t
mended"
He considered. IAN hour, most
likely"
"And we're late already, and I'm ex-
a1sGti evening, sxcfafm
ed Anne's sister. Mrs. Burke. Room
was found for her in one of the other
cars, while Crane CALAMITY begged the
pleasure Of Anne's company.
The different cars started back about
the same time, and not until they
were about half way home did the lit
tie procession become separated. Some
slowed up, others put on speed, others
turned down different roads, through
the soft summer dusk.
IT wonder" said Anne, 'if Dawson
will get the car mended In time to get
1t home tonight?"
mo doubt of it."
'You think there wasn't a great
leal the matter with it?"
"Not-much."
Something almost furtive in his u.s.
ually open face caught her attention,
ever in the gathering twilight. And
a sudden suspicion leaped into her
mind.
"You-mean to imply that the ac-
cident to the car w~asn't-real?"
Something of the Sort" he nodded
with a shame-faced smile.
'But-Dawson-"
she was bribed to say 1t was brok.
en-" Then in a pleading tone. 1T
was my last chance to be with you,
Anne. Tn due back at the Chicago
office Monday. Won't-won't you re-
consider the answer you gave me last
night?w
For a few moments there was tense
silence. Anne sat with her delicate
face averted-conflicting emotions
holding her in their grip. Perhaps II
was Cranes breathless attention to
what she might say that caused him
to neglect his driving. Pehaps it was
the Jagged tree roots that lurked de
ceitfully in the dusky road. At all
events, the car swerved sharply and
skidded into the ditch at the side.
Anne, after a moment Of dazed
shock, found herself on the grassy bank
beyond, unhurt. But Crane, at the edge
OF the ditch, with blood trickling from
an ugly cut on his forehead, lay still
with closed eyes.
She dragged him over on the bank
beside her, chafed his hands, crying
and calling him by name. Then she