The diamond drill., 1919-09-27
CHAPTER XIII.

George went driving the next after
noon alone and. encounterlng Lucy
and her father on the road I'm one of
Morgan's cars. lifted his hat. but mo-
wise relaxed his formal countenance
as they passed. Eugene waved cor
dial hand quickly returned 20 the
steering wheel; but Lucy only nodded
gravely and smiled no more than
George did. Nor did she accompany
Eugene 20 the Majors for dinner the
following Sunday evening, though
both were hidden 10 attend that feast
which was already reduced in mum
bers and gayety by the absence Of
George Anderson. Eugene explained
10 his host that Lucy had gone away
TO visit "A school friend.
The Information. delivered in the
library just before old Sans appear
ance 10 announce dinner set Miss
Minafer In quite a fIutter- "Why.
George" she said, turning 10 her
nephew, "How does IL happen you
didn't tell usf' And with both hands
opening. as II To express her innocence
Of some conspiracy. she exclaimed 20
the others: "IIes never said one word
To MS about Lucys planning 90 20
away"
probably afraid to-" the Major sug
gested. Didn't know but he might
break down and cry II he tried 10
speak OF IL J" He clapped his grandson
on the shoulder, inquiring joculariy
"That 1t, GeorgIeY'
George made no reply, but he was
red enough TO Justify the Majors de
veloping chuckle into laughter;
though Miss Fanny, observing her
nephew keenly. got an impression that
his fiery blush was I'm truth more fiery
than tender.
After the arrival OF coffee the Ma
jor was rallying Eugene upon some
rival automobile shops lately built inA
suburb and already promising tod
flourish
81 suppose they'll either drive you
out OF the business" said the old gen
tlemnn, "Or else the two Of you'll drive
all the rest of us Off the streets"
"If we do wen even things mp by
making the streets five or ten times
ms long as they are now" Eugene re-
turned.
:How do You propose 10 do thatr
ut isn't the distance from the cen
ter of a town that counts" said Eu-
gene; 'lt's the time II takes 10 get
there. This towns already spreading;
bicycles and trolleys have been doing
their share, but the automobile Is
going 10 carry city streets clear out TO
the county line"
The Major was skeptlcaT. Dream
on, fair son r. he said. Its lucky for
us that you're only dreaming because
II people go TO moving that far, real
estate values In the old residence part
of town are going to he stretched pref
~ thin"
I'm afraid so." Eugene assented
unless You keep things so bright and
clean that the old section win stay
more attractive than the new onesH
mot very likely How are things
going 10 he kept bright and clean
with soft coal and our kind OF city
governments"
They aren't" Eugene replied quick
ly. There's no hope OF II. and al
ready the boarding house In marching
up National avenue NV relatives. then
Sbarons, have sold their house and are
building In the country-at least. they
call II the country. II VIII be city
In two or three years"
Good graciousi" the Major ex-
claimed, affecting dIsmay. 80 your
little shops are going tosruin NIL your
old friends. Eugenel"
Unless my old friends take warn
Ing In time. or abolish smoke and get
a new kind Of city government"
"well. wellw the Major laughed.
'You have enough faith la miracles.
granting that trolleys and bi-
cycles and automobiles are miracles
so you think they're to change the
face Of the land. do your"
They're already doing 10, Majors
and n can't be stopped. Automo-
blles--"
Al this point he was interrupted
George WIS the interrupter. lie had
said nothing since entering the dining
room hut now he spoke In lond and
pcremptory voice. using the tone Of
one In authority who checks idle pratt
tie and settles a matter forever.
Automobiles are useless nuls-
nnce," he said.
There fell a moments silence.
CONTINUED Next Week.