Deming graphic., 1919-12-30
AT HIS PERIL
sy JACK LAYTON.

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Billy turned his coz into an unfre-
quented road, aid went speeding up
the hill. This afternoons drive was
an aImless one. Billy felt bored and.
aimless himself. To have a Saturday
half-holiday in which to amuse ones
self and then to find nothing amusing.
was Q predicament.
BilIy wondered what vas the matter
with him anyway. Golf. and the Coun-
try club failed to entertain. Young
women Of his acquaintance seemed all
at once insipld. Shows held no
charm. What possessed himl
Impatiently he asked himself the
question, ard as II In mocking answer
came flashing memory Of a certain
girls witchIng face. Billy had passed
this girl days ago In the city park. She
had been learning to run little road
ster, and his prolonged and Interested
scrutiny was overlooked by Its object
Billy envIed the instructor. Thereafter
he found himself feverishly specuiat-
ing as to the personality Of this broad
shouldered confident fellow. He might
be a brother for his matter-of-fact &C
ceptance of his position, or a hus-
band. Billy dismissed the husband
idea-he didn't like II. Because her
eyes reminded him Of Natalie Burke.
he took Natalie to the theater that
evening and was disappointed.
Natalie's upward glance was very
different from that OF the other girl
with her lashed lids. Billy couldn't
get this girl out Of his head. and bis
was a practical, well-baianced head'
at that. Then. Just as her pretty Tea
lures were beginning 10 haunt MIN
less Billy ran across the girl again In
the lobby Of n theater.
For one breathless moment her eyes
met his steadily as, recklessly he drew
near. she vanished through doorway
and was lost In the theater crowd
That Il would have availed him moth
ing. had he found her, lessened Billys
/ disappointment not bit He had read
/ in books of these violent fancies, and
} had scoffed at their impossibility. Yet
now, as he rode along, the girls race
seemed to laugh at him, beckoning on
$ ward.
Billy frowned; also he drew up alb
ruptly before a looming sign. pan
gerous," warned the sign. Proceed
at Your Own PERIL"
nj Billys frown changed to a grin
{ Here was a venture at least suited TO
his mood.
"sounds like black-hand com
u munlcatlon," he muttered, as his car
ratified over the railroad ties, continu'
s. ing up the narrow path through a new
L cut way.
proceeding at his own peril
- proved but monotonous after all. Varf
Gus trees alternated their lines upon
either side, while the rough solitary
y road stretched ever above. AT the mrs.
a, chance OF turning he decided to re
X verse, and come back down the trail
But as he gllmpsed a widening space
Dr. above, he saw that another venture
some one had been before him, ant
had come to grief.
70 A small car blocked the openini
''' while a figure bent over its uncovere'
,o engine. AS the figure Strengthened u
IS his approach, Billy gasped In surpris
and drew up with jar for II wa
us the vision girl who looked back a
him across her disabled car.
Billy was at her side Immediately
st boredom already far away.
"Can l." he asked eagerly, be O
RS. assistance?"
Io- The girls dark eyes were troubled.
hs "Win you be so kind as to look TIL
thing overY she asked. "You can
lt- believe how relieved was to see som
his one coming. have Just learned to ri
he the car und II was idiotic to bring
- up this way. But" she paused.
Didn't you read the warning sign
m. Billy asked.
Sol The girl nodded her adorable hea
ng 81 couldn't seem to turn the c'
,er around" she confessed. Billy laughe
.nl $50 you had to keep on goingF'
~ ~ The girls laughter mingled with nj
"Yes." she said Already he WI
bending over the machine. II appear'
OF TO be In perfect order. There was
nat reason why the car might not start
once on its downward trip. Still Bill
the fingered. Some verse about "Nev
ties the time, the place. and the girl
together" flashed through his bral
Here was his golden hour and
meant to keep il. So Billy brisk
opened the tool box, tinkering light
MS around the engine. while the wond'
lat full girl sat on the grass nearby,
ranging flowers she had gather'
a 4 Billy lounging over the car and {
GIRL gazing idly at her flowers, talk
OF many things, while Billy's he'
sang the while.
you'll have to let me lead |
city way down." he said. "and superlnte
ies- your return. shan't feel that 1
done my duty either. until I've
ogs you safely at your own door"
"An right" the girl agreed. :
seated herself In the roadster.