The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-31
The One
Out of Ten
BY MERGED DE PIMA

Mrs. Emery gave a dinner for hel
sister Alice's chum, who was visiting
them. First among the invited were
Jack MILFORD, an old comrade, anG
Howard Teller, distinctly eligible
friend of Jacks.
People are apt to wonder what
formed the bond between Alice and
Mary Grant, for the latter gave a first
impression of merely quiet charm
There was nothing forceful about her
except, perhaps, an angle of her chin.
AS a matter of fact she was an athlete
of great skill withal. so modest that
only her few friends knew Of her PROV
ess.
After dinner the guests scattered be-
fore settling to bridge-the business
of the evening. A few gathered around
window. through which the flare of Il
street lamp attracted all eyes to a
large machine outside the door Teller
claimed ownership.
"Aren't you afraid to leave it out
there unguarded?" asked one of the
men.
Teller laughed carelessly. Not a
bit! It's anchored, safe enough, with
/ the spark-plug out, and if should for
get to take that precaution, why
even down home, not one in ten Of the
/ boys cares to handle that carl"
You are an enthusiastic mOtOriSt,
Mr.. Teller?" interrupted Mary.
He turned and stared, unable to
fathom her tone.
Jack spoke. Hes fiend, a per-
petual break the-record autOmaton!"
Cant help it, with that car"
Jack, who knew Mary well, looked
question when Teller presently
drifted away
Mary shook her head. Hes too
sure of himself-and others, l would
like" Her eyes twinkled as she
pulled Jack closer and whispered in
his ear.
DO you: think you could?" said
Jack doubtfully. you heard him say
mot one out Of"
I'm the one!"
"But he said not one out of ten"
I'm the tenth" she declared con-
fidently. IF only the spark plug hap
pened to be in !"
1T would serve him right" admitted
Jack Respectively. "Tll join you as
soon as I've telephoned Ben. I'll tell
him to meet US at Fox's Bend. but that
if we don't show up in twenty min
utes or less, We're not coming. He's
regular old clam, and I'm sure of catch
ing him. Wait for mel"
mo fear! ISneed you as Witness"
"You're sure"
Coward" tainted Mary.
Not five minutes later, two figures.
keeping well in shadow, stealthily ap- |
preached Teller's machine, Mary, a |
little ahead, made a hurried inspec- |
ton of the car before Jack reached |
her side.
'Fate." she greeted him. HE has
over-reached himself-the spark plug
Is in"
The glare of the street light simpli-
lied their start. Under Mary's expert
enced guidance the car bounded for
ward. then settled into smooth, rush
ng glide. So they sped along, quite in
and incredibly soon
lack, who had dictated their route,
eaned forward and exclaimed:
"Theres Benz
Quickly they stopped and descend
ID, extinguishing the lights and replac-
ng the rug over the radiator, lastly re-
moving the spark plug. This Mary
dipped into her coat pocket as Jack
Helped her into the carriage Ben had
ached
"Just keep your eye on that car un-
II it's called for, Ben," said Jack, as
hey drove away, land your tongue
uiet."
aye, sir" responded the village
actotum imperturbably, quite I'M
oncerned except with the extra bill
I his pocket.
The conspirators re-entered the
rawing room to find the bridge tables r
)rming
In the interest of cards the little in ,
dent was forgotten, and at the end ,
the evening no one, in the midst of
bod nights, thought Of connecting it
18th Teller's exclamation as he looked :
1T of the window. Curiosity drew to !
Is side those who had fingered, and 4
lch echoed his cry. +
The car was gone! CONSERVATION J.
I'D Teller's tongue tied. Some one +
lggested telephoning the police, and !
to the value of instant &C f.
on, he hurried from the room with =
1t noting the glance exchanged be- q
,een, Jack and Mary. !,
II say, Jack, do you mind footing it, t
don't feel equal to hack-it's too t,
ow." Teller made wry face.
"Just the night for walking !" agreed Il
ok heartily, "I'll be with you in a b
mute" and left him alone with Il
airy. Il
Teller stared gloomily at his boots. k
II thought" she ventured, with the n
-