New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1920-08-25
AT HIS PERIL
BY JACK LAYTON.
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Billy turned his car into an unfre-
quented road, and 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 predicament.
Billy wondered what was the matter
with him anyway. Golf, and the Coun-
try club failed to entertain. Young
women of his acquaintance seemed all
at once insipid. Shows held no
charm. What possessed him?
Impatiently he asked himself the
question, and as if in mocking answer
came flashing memory of 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 it's object.
Billy envied the instructor. Thereafter
ne found himself feverishly speculate
ing as to the personality of this broad
shOuldered confident fellow. He, might
be brother for his matter of-fact ac-
ceptance of his position, or a hus-
band. Billy dismissed the husband
idea-he didn't like it. 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 dashed lids. Billy couldn't
get this girl out of his head, and his
was practical, well-balanced head,
ut .that~Yhen, just as her pretty fea-
lures were beginning to haunt him
less Billy ran across the girl again in
the lobby Of a theatcr.
For one GREATNESS moment her eyes
met his steadily as, recklessly he drew
near, she vanished through doorway
and was lost in the theater crowd.
That it would have awaited him moth
lug, had he found her. lessened Billy's
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 face
seemed to laugh at him, beckoning on
ward
Billy frowned; also he drew up ab-
ruptly before looming sign. Dan.
gerous." warned the sign. Proceed
at Your Own Peril"
Billy's frOwn changed to grin.
Here was venture at least suited to
bis mood
Sounds like a black-hand coHs
municaticn,' he muttered, as his car
ratified over the railroad ties, continu-
ing up the narrow path through a new
cut way.
Proceeding at his own peril"
proved but monotOnOus after ALL Vari.
GUS trees alternated their lines upon
either side, while the rough solitary
road stretched ever above At the first
chance Of turning he decided to re-
verse, and come back down the trail.
But as he glimpsed widening space
above, he saw that another venture
some one had been before him, and
mad come to grief.
small car blocked the opening
while figure bent over its uncovered
engine AS the figure Strengthened al
his approach, Billy gasped in surprise
and drew up. With jar, for it wac
the vision girl who looked back al
u; HOY, a. o,r
Billy was at her side Immediately.
boredom already far away.
"Can L." he asked eagerly, "be OF
assistance?"
The girls dark eyes were troubled
"Will you be SO kind as to look this
thing over?" she asked. you can;
believe how relieved was to see some
one coming. have just learned to run
the car and It was diotic to bring ii
up this way. But" she paused.
Didn't you read the warning sign?'
Billy asked.
The girl nodded her adorable head.
81 couldn't seem to turn the car,
around" she confessed: Billy laughed.
$50 you had to keep on going?
The girls laughter mingled with his.
eyes" she said Already be was
bending over the machine. 1t appeared
to be in perfect order. There was no
reason why the car might not start at
once on it's downward trip. Still Billy
fingered, Some verse about Never
the time, the place. and the girl al
together" flashed through his brain
Here was his golden hour and he
meant to keep ii. SO Billy briskly
opened the tool box, tinkering lightly
around the engine, while the wonder
fui girl sat on ghe grass nearby, ar
ranging flowers she had gathered.
Billy Iounging over the car and the
girl gazing idly at her flowers, talked
of many things. while Billy's heart
sang the while.
You'll have to let me lead the
way .iioWn." he said. land superintend
your return. | slan't feel that I've
done my duty either, until I've left
you safety at your own door"
"A'l right" the girl agreed. She
seated herself in the roadster.
II was slow and circuitous route
which Billy led. AT sight OF the sign
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