Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-07-05
CHAPTER XVI

Just as Desiree Leighton's run
about drew up at the door of the for
lists shop, Helen Goddard hurried
out.
David recognized her as the girl
with whom Desiree had entered the
Red Cross rooms some days ago. But
being merely hireling, he showed no
signs of recognition.
Desire hailed her.
"Oh, Helen" she called. Where
are you going so fast?"
Helen Goddard paused an instant
to explain.
I'm late for an appointment with
my dentist and am running to keep
it"
Watt" Desiree insisted, getting
out of her car. Il have TO be at the
florists for some minutes waiting to
have some flowers put up. Let Smith
drive you to your dentists. Where
is it?"
"On East Forty first street"
"Then take my place and tell Smith
where to 60"
"Oh. my dear, you are an angel"'
Helen exclaimed, gladly accepting
the invitation. Good bye"
AS David and she started off to-
gether. the girl cast a sidelong glance
at the ChduIcuT. I1e certainty was
good looking, she decided, noting the
clear skin, steady eyes and regular
features. Moreover there was an air
of refinement about him.
There was no use in telling her,
she mused that Smith was just like
any other chauffeur. There was some
thing extraordinary about him. He
whetted her curiosity. She wanted
to make him say something.
Miss Leighton is most kind to
send me to my dentists" she re-
marked. II had a little car of my
own-but have given it up for the
period of the war. 1t costs lot to
run even a small car, don't you
think?"
Much Astonished
TT does indeed" David agreed
briefly and politely.
His voice was well-modulated. She
did wish she could make him say
something more. She never did see
why a chauffeur must be treated like
serveant. Some of them-lke this
man. for instance were decidedly
above the standard of underline
lings.
II suppose" she ventured, that
If one knows how to run even a small
car we'll, one could run a large one,
couldn't she?'
II fancy" he replied. that it may
depend upon the make of the car. Yet
If one understands thoroughly the
mechanism of one automobile, it is q
simple matter to learn to drive an
other of a different make. All are op-
Grated on the same general princi-
pies"
She checked a gasp that threatened
to be audible. Where under the sun
did this man learn to talk like that?
She remembered Cassidy, then she
gazed at Smith. He had not even
turned his eyes in her direction.
The truth of the matter was that
David was thinking again-the very
thing. he reflected ruefully, that his
young mistress had advised him not
to do. And Desiree was the subject
of his thoughts
Outwardly, he appeared calm. In
wardly, his temper and sense OF
humor were warning with each
other. He resented Miss Leighton's
reprimands, at the same time re-
minding himself that they were
part of the game he was playing,
and that it ives, after all, a very fun
ny game. For the time he had for
gotten that he must assume the
language of Cassidy and Cassidy
kind, and answered Miss Goddard in
his accustomed speech.
Per haps," Helen ventured, "if J
decide later to buy another car, you
will let me ask you a few questions
about running It,"
II shall be most happy to be OF
service" David assured her.
A sudden impulse seized her. She
would try to make some impression
upon this self-contained young man.
You see," she went on, | would
not ask that of most chauffeurs -
in fact not of any others L have ever
known. Some of them are very ig-
norant. But you are not the type OF
the usual chauffeur"
This remark had the desired eff
feet. Smith started nervously and
his face changed.
A Bit of Sentiment
II beg your pardon" he corrected
her gravely. Il am only very or
dinary chauffeur"
She laughed aloud as if pleased
at the impression produced by her
speech.
You will at least allow me to have
my own private opinion" she said
archly.
surely, Miss. Every lady has a
right to her own opinions" Smith re-
piled without smile.
Helen Goddard was no fool, and
she saw this man assume his ac-
quired manner as plainly as if it had
been a garment he had put on. She
heard the change in his voice as he
tried to speak as he fancied man
in his position should speak to the
friends of his employer
Her romantic nature was stirred
This savored bit of sentimental adj
venture-the kind she had always
longed for. Perhaps Smith had had
some sorrow or some disgrace in his
life and was trying to live it down
by taking the place of a chauffeur.
Poor fellow If this was true II
was hard on him. She would be very
kind to him and not let him fancy
that, if she suspected the truth, she
disapproved of him or doubted him.