Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-07-10
A Race in the
Night
II
By A. w. A
By A. w. PEACH
Copyright. 1919, by the Gu News
paper Syndicate.)

ways seemed more or less like a big
brother to Dorothy, and | want you to
keep an eye upon her while i am away.
That white-faced Martel has been
hanging around more than l like. He's
n Of the romantic chaps who rattle
a girls judgment. l shall be in Bra
I'll for a month. probably. Just drift
over, and keep an eye on her. She's a
mere girl In many ways-and she may
do something rash and she may not"
Steadman readily agreed, though a
bit amused by the turn of affairs. He
had known the dark-halred, dark-eyed
sprite Of a Dorothy Haines since child
hood, and with manhood had come a
liking for her closely akin TO love; but
for him she had never had more than
a brotherly greeting and brotherly
manner. Now he vas to be her guard
ian.
He expected little trouble, however.
Martel was In the habit of running out
to the Haines estate from the city and
making a daily call. Steadman planned
to drift around also in order to keep
q check on events.
AS he left the big house after his
interview with Mr.. Haines he found
her busily tinkerlng with her car. 1t
suddenly dawned upon him that she
was no longer a playmate, a mere
girl, but a woman with much of a girls
heart.
"Hullo, Buddy" she said in the old
way. "rm getting ready for a spin
this afternoon"
She looked at him curiously as she
said 1t. He was puzzled by the glance,
but did not stop to fathom it. The
idea that she might want him for a
passenger never entered his head.
After a word Of friendly fun he
went on down the walk, without turn
ing. If he had turned he would have
seen the quaint girlish figure In its
working garb turn In his direction and
then, with a shake Of the head, bend
over the engine.
That afternoon, returning from a
stroll with his dogs, the sudden guard
ianship that was his was brought home
forcibly to him.
He saw her car, and looking down one
of his paths running from the road,
caught a glimpse of her, and near her
the short, easy figure Of Martel. They
were walking arm In arm, and Martel,
with head inclined, was talking to her
earnestly. A strange uneasiness went
over Steadman.
He whistled a bit In order to attract
their attention, for he wanted to take
the path himself.
They looked up in a startled man.
ner, and Steadman saw Martel's an
noyance and, too, the flush on her
cheeks. What had Martel been saying,
Steadman wondered and a slow ques-
ton formed In his mind. Was Martel
intending to take advantage Of Haines'
absence?
Steadman. greeted them, and then
said to her: dot, / am coming over
20 have a game Of rummy with you
tonight. Are you camel"
She laughed at the old challenge
1t was the game they had played for
years, and at which she had beaten
him by a narrow margin.
Sure, come along, Buddy. Perhaps
you can win, this time" she answered
in her quick way, only to hesitate and
look worried as if some a~fterthought
had come to her mind.
Steadman caught, too, Martel's swift
glance at her, but there did not seem
to be any particular meaning In the
glance.
They passed and went on. Stead
man idled along, thinking little of the
conversation and paying more atten.
ton to the dogs until he reached his
house. There up through his
mind came Haines' worried warning
"She might do something rash."
Steadman stopped in thought. Gould
they have been planning some scheme
which involved a hasty departure, and
perhaps a marriage that could enc
only in regret for her?
Little, happy, gay-hearted kid, she
doesn't know enough about love OIL
what it is to fall in love with him
She's simply having a good time
With that conclusion he dismissed the
subject from his mind.
About eight o'clock he set out tt
walk to the meeting with her. 1t wa'
a pleasant evening and he did not hur
ry. He found his thoughts turning
again and again to her. IF I coult
only teach her to love me-but what:
the use? / have always been Buddy
to her, and a girl doesn't marry {
Buddy 7" he thought to himself. :.
His serene world broke into nois'
when he crossed the threshold of tn,
house and was told by the surprised
maid that Dorothy had gone out il
her car, dressed as If for a long trip
She had telephoned to the village gar
age to be ready to oil the car.
Steadman stared into the maids anx
ious eyes and saw there the sam
question that was in his own mind
He stepped to the telephone and callet
the garage. The answer was brief
Miss Haines had stopped. WAS any
one with herr" Steadman asked
"Yes," the answer came back, tinget
with a bit Of disgust that told how tn,