The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-09-19
I. Punctured
r.
By ANDERSON HALEY

> paper syndicats)
P-z-z-zzpl B-s-s-ssh! With the sick
ening swish Of escaping air and the
harsh grinding of brakes the gray road
ster came to an abrupt stop. Jack Ray
nor sprang out and glanced sharply at
his front tires. They were unmlstak-
ably flat.
swell, of all the cursed luck !" he ex-
claimed In dismay. Both Of 'em and
not an extra tube or easing. Nothing
for it but to vulcanize the holes!"
Then unaware that pair. of startled
brown eyes regarded him intently from
behind the roadside tangle of bushes, he
proceeded to say other things, uncom-
plimentary things about the road and
the people who frequented 1t, things
which 1t Is unnecessary to repeat, but
for which he will doubtless be par
doned by the veteran motorist.
For the mercury had already climbed
to the "ninety-in-the-shade" mark. Pres
emily, having exhausted his vocabulary,
he flung off his coat, collar and tie,
rolled back his sleeves and fell to work
lacking up the front wheels.
Meanwhile the owner Of the brown
eyes. sensing the gravity Of the situa-
ton, slipped unObserved from her hid
ing place and, berry pail In hand, sped
across the adjacent cornfeld to the
small brown house beyond.
For a moment she fingered hesita-
ingly in the doorway. Then she disap-
peared within. When she came out
again she was wearing a crisp brown
linen dress with deep white collar, in
place of the faded blue calico, and she
had on the bronze shoes and stockings
ordinarily reserved for Sundays.
II wonder II 1 dare" she whispered
to herself In suppressed excitement.
"But I'm going to. anyhow. It's the
least I can DO. He'll never guess how
1t happened. And it Is dreadfully hot
and dusty out there. Besides" irrele-
vanity, "he is splendid looking even
when he's angry"
Ten minutes later. as Jack RaynOr
was ruefully contemplating two sharp
tacks that explained the fiat tires, his
attention was attracted by rustling
In the bushes and, even as he looked, a
slender girl of nineteen or twenty
emerged, carrying a shining tin pail
and a basket. His swift appraising
glance noted that she was unusually
pretty, with shy brown eyes, an abun-
dance of soft brown hair becomingly
arranged, and cheeks that glowed pink
beneath their healthy tan.
II thought you might like fresh
drink" she began timidly, extending
the pail. Tits so warm this morn
ing-and we do have good water-and
on the way l picked these peaches
they're just ripe enough to eat" she
concluded setting down the basket.
To Jack Raynor, tired and thirsty
from his strenuous work. the sight Of
the sparkling water was indeed well
come. Smiling his thanks, he accepted
the pail and drank eagerly.
II dent know whether you are a
wood nymph or just sort Of human
angel" he said returning 1t to her,
'but / was longing for a. drink, and 1
more than appreciate your thoughtful
ness. / always felt I should know q
nymph II saw her-that like you, she
would be all In brown, with a hint Of
wild roses In her cheeks and sunlight
In her hair. Won't you sit down. Wood
Nymph" he added politely, spreading
out his coat by the roadside.
IL mustn't" she replied, In the
same soft voice, because you see I
don't know you and"
ooh, IL that's all can soon set you
right" he responded gayly. I'm Jack
Raynor Of the state highway depart
ment. I'm looking up the route for
the new state road, and I was getting
on pretty well until the Greyhound
indicating the car with q nod of his
head, picked up couple Of tacks. l
was just cursing my luck when you
came along to prove the truth Of the
old adage about the silver lining And
I'd much prefer to have company while
I repair damages"
lhC SIt Stdtcu HcTSch
and watched him with interest as he
took out his vuIcanlzing outfit, affixed
a rubber patch. clamped 1t into place.
and lighted the gasoline In the con-
tainer. While he was waiting for II
ito burn out he sat down beside her.
"Now suppose you tell me about
yourself. or course / know you are q
wood nymph. but even they must have
names-otherwise there would be no
end Of confusion"
There's nothing very interesting to
tell" she replied quietly, her eyes fixed
on the flame. "Tm Rose Carey, and
father and live in the brown house
over there. He carries the mail, so I'm
alone all day. He Used to be school
principal, and then he developed tu-
berculosis and was ordered to stay out
of doors, so we bought this little place
and came here to live With the mail
route and the garden we get along.
had to give up high school, but he has
taught me evenings. Mother died when
was baby-there are just two of
us-and I wouldn't for anything have