The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1919-08-16
1.-THE ACCIDENT"
BY KATHERINE HoPsoN.


Il was mere chance and a business
engagement which first led Edmund
Crane to T~hornbridge that summer
II was pleasant surroundings and
Anne Van Ranseller that caused him
to linger there. Not that Anne con-
s~ciously augmented his staying. Such
an act would have been beneath the
dignity Of q Van Ranseller.
There's q limit to the cordially
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
to marry him. He was not at all the
sort Of man she had always pictured
family backing or social position. But,
In spite Of this, his v1rile personality
made . 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
RED sister In the latters car.
The June day was glorious, the air
soft and invigoraing, the car smooth
running; but Anne's fair face wore =
look Of discomfort. OF what use Ii 1t
to be pretty and young, with q new
auto ven draped most becomingly over
q fetching hat, when there Is no one
around to appreciate the effectf
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 q smart little runabout and Anne
saw with q start Of surprise 1t was Ed
mund Crane.
"Got In on the afternoon train In
stead Of tonight" he explained in his
breezy way.
When they were ready to 60 they
found the chauffeur working with the
Burke car. At last he turned and
said with q look Of sheepish concern
on his stolid face:
I'm sorry, but the car Is out Of
commission I'll have to telephone
for a man to come out from town
and fix It"
How long WIN It take to get It
mendedr
He considered. IAN hour, most
likely"
"And we're late already, and I'm ex-
pectfng guests this evening"" exclaim-
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.
ST wonder" said Anne, IF Dawson
Will get the car mended In time to get
1t home tonightY"
"No doubt Of It"
'You think there wasn't q great
deal the matter with itf'
"Not-much."
Something almost furtive in his us
uaily 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 wasn't-realr
Something Of the SORT" he nodded
with a shame-faced smile.
"But-Dawson1
HE was bribed to say It was brok-
en-" Then In a pleading tone. ut
was my last chance to be with you,
Anne. I'm due back at the Chicago
office Monday. Won't-wont you re-
consider the answer you gave me last
night?-
For q few moments there was tense
silence. Anne sat with her delicate
face averted-conficting emotions
holding her In their grip. Perhaps It
Cranes breathless attention to
what she might say that caused him