The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-07-02
The One
Out of Ten
By MERGED DE PIMA

re. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Mrs. Emery gave dinner for her
sister Alice's chum, who was visiting
them. First among the invited were
Jack Milford, an old comrade, and
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 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 q
street lamp attracted all eyes to a
large machine outside the door. Teller
claimed ownership.
"Arent you afraid to leave it out
there unguarded?" asked one of the
men.
Teller laughed carelessly. mot a
bit It's anchored, safe enough, with
the spark-plug out, and if should for
get 20 take that precaution, why
even down home, not one in ten of the
boys cares to handle that carp
'You are an enthusiastic motorist,
Mr.. Teller?" interrupted Mary.
He turned and stared, unable to
fathom her tone.
Jack spoke. He's fiend, a per-
petual break-the-record automaton!"
Cant help it, with that carl"
Jack, who knew Mary we'll, looked
question when Teller presently
drifted away.
sure of himself-and others, l would
like" Her eyes twinkled as she
pulled Jack closer and whispered in
his ear.
do youJ think you could" said
Jack doubtfully. "You heard him say
mot one out Of"
"I'm the onei"
"But he said not one out of ten +"
"I'm the tenthv' she declared con
fidently. IF only the spark plug hap
pened to be ini"
ut would serve him right" admitted
Jack responsibility. am 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 a
regular old clam, and I'm sure of catch.
ing him. Wait for mew
mo fearl / need you as Witness
you're sure"
"COwardi' 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-
tion of the car before Jack reached
her side.
'Fatew she greeted him. "He has
overreached himself--the spark plug
IS in.''
The glare of the street light smpli-
fled their start. Under Mary's expert
enced guidance the car bounded for
ward, then settled into smooth, rush
ing glide. So they sped along, quite in
conspicuously, and incredibly soon
Jack, who had dictated their route,
leaned forward and exclaimed:
'There's Benz"
Quickly they stopped and descend
ed, extinguishing the lights and replac-
ing the rug over the radiator, lastly re-
moving the spark plug. This Mary
slipped into her coat pocket as Jack
helped her into the carriage Ben had
waiting for them with a fast horse at
taChed.
Just keep your eye on that car I'M
til it's called for, Ben," said Jack, as
they drove away, "and your tongue
quiet"
"Aye, SIR" responded the village
factOtum imperturbably, quite I'M
concerned except with the extra bill
in his pocket.
The cOnspiratOrs re-entered the
drawing room to find the bridge tables
forming.
In the interest of cards the little in
cident was forgotten, and at the end
of the evening no one, in the midst of
good nights, thought of connecting it
with Teller's exclamation as he looked
out of the window. Curiosity drew to
his side those who had fingered, and
each echoed his cry.
The car was gone! CONSERVATION
held Teller's tongue tied. Some one
suggested telephoning the police, and
awakening to the value of instant ac-
ton, he hurried from the room with
out noting the glance exchanged be-
tween Jack and Mary.
II say, Jack, do you mind footing it?
l don't feel equal to hack-it's too
SLOW" Teller made wry face.
Just the night for walking - agreed