Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-03-02
A Motor
Romance
By FREDERICK CLARKE
90. 1921. Western Newspaper UntonD


McNab, a trace of mockery in his
voice.
They were not as yet engaged, but
as Herbert and all the social world
Of Baysde knew, the proud coquette
had set the net for the wealthy young
city broker. A week at Bayside
would settle the affair, Herbert had
told mutual friends, and contidentially
he stated he was sorry for it.
"What you want, Hatton. is some
thing in life to interest you," he now
said. "Dawdling the time away at
clubs, sOlrees and summer resorts
kills a fellows vitality. Try some
thing for change"
"As what, for instance?' challenged
Hatton.
Human interest, philanthropy
why, say. the very thing See here
look yonder."
Herbert pointed to young girl who
sat on one OF the station benches.
Looks to be In trouble" Hatton re-
marked.
"She is. Poor little thing" said
Herbert. "She has been try ng to sup
port widowed mother by taking an
art class at the seminary here. 1t
seems she received rush telegram
an hour ago telling her that her moth
er was dangerously sick, and that If
she hoped to see her again in life she
must take the first train for Black
ton. She missed it by four minutes,
no other train until eight O'Clock this
evening"
Herbert flashed out of view. Hat
ton stood studying the forlorn girl
for a few moments. Then he went
straight up to the bench.
Excuse me, MISS he said, lifting
his hat, my friend just told me of
your misfortune in missing your
train"
at is so Misunderstanding she
sobbed. "My mother is dying, and
there is no way of reaching her be-
fore midnight
"Blackton cannot he over seventy
five miles by cross-cOuntry route"
said Hatton. "That is no task for my
machine. Come, IN SIS, cheer up. Well
try to remedy your trouble
AS he pointed to his touring car the
young girl at once understood him.
"YOu are SO kind-so kind" she
murmured. AS Hattop helped her to a
seat IN the machine.
= Good roads and fair weather made
the first stage Of the trip pleasant
and comfortable.
DO not delay to thank me-" said
Hatton, as two hours later their auto
stopped in front of the widows home
at Blackton. Get t. your mother at
once, Miss Houston"
. She had told him something of her
life history during the trip Her
name was Louise Houston. An earn.
est-faced young man came out of the
house while Hatton was getting his
machiae ready for the return trip.
He seized beth hands Of his sisters
timely friend.
~ cannot find words to thank YOU"
he said fervently. You have saved
my dear mothers life. She was sink
Ing fast, and the delusion that some
one had stolen louise away from her,
the doctor said, vas distracting Der
dangerously, She just SIZED and
SAT-; INTO Sisters arms lile + -.
child. The doctor says the crisis Is
past, and thank you and-bless YOU
+ At eight o'clock that evening fate
'wiled that Hatton, pa 'sing an open
window at the Jackson home, over
heard these words:
ITS time YOU ceased tr!nng with
your chances, Marsery, Mr. N0uo0
will not stand your coquetry muct
LONGER
"Oh, / can bring him to my feet
when | choose" was the confident re-
ply of the imperious beauty to he
maneuverng mamma.
Hatton turned on his hee', and
Margery waited in vain for her eX-
pected caller that evening.
GIatton wrote brief note to Mar
gerry the next morning. In a very for
NAL manner he announced a proSpec-
tive motor tour, and indicated that
II would end with resumption of
business duties in the city.
That motor tour was not very eX-
tended. Hatton felt 1t his duty to
learn how Louise's mother was get
ting along. He was actually glad when
the auto broke down near Blackton
He put up at the town hotel that
night, and called at the Houston
home the next day.
That was only the first of many
pleasant hours spent with Louise
There came the browning moment
In those two lives when wistful eyes
met the love challenge OF honest
earnest ones. II was at the gate OF
the little cottage, and HattOn said:
docs your mother still worry over
her old fear of your being stoler
away?"
"Oh, no." replied Louise innocently
THAT was only a passing delusion."
Suppose that some one SHOULD