The Red Cloud chief., 1922-04-27
STEVE THE SECOND
BY WHITE

sorbed in his coming lecture. The
last had occasioned such widespread
and favorable comment, that he was
determined IL should have q worthy
successor. SO, when Il voice called
to him from u stationary automobile
In the road, he turned with u start.
a young girl sat in the car, helping
herself with enjoyment from a box
of chocolates.
"Afr. Vaughn" she said, will you
kindly come here a moment?"
Hat in hand, the professor came.
II do not recall" he was smiling
ly beginning.
you could not" the girl inter
rupted, "for you have never met me.
Every one, however knows Professor
Vaughn"
She leaned toward him and smiled.
a." she Informed him, "am Ste
phana Sterling"
Not" sal. the professor-he stared
unbelieyingly, "thc daughter Of"
Again the girl impatlcntly inter
ruptcd.
yes" she replied, "a daughter Of
Great Guns Sterling And / appeal
to you in distress. | started out alone
this morning to keep Il very important
engagement, and just as | approach
Dead Mans curve, my nerve fails me.
| simply will not drive over that
place alone. | don't know" she re.
marked meditatlvely, "when | have
ever been afraid before, but | am
now. VIII YOU step In the car and run
me oycr?"
Philip Vaughn considered an in
slant; Dead Mans curve, on the only
direct road leading out of town, was
so named because Of many automo-
bile tragedies which occurred contln-
ually nj the dangerous crossing. When
he had taken his place at her side,
Miss Sterling thanked him graclously.
"You see" she explained, IL am on
my way to take part in q wedding,
and If | am not there In half an hour
the bride will be on the verge Of hys-
terra, and the groom tearing his hair"
"Iou must" said the professor,
then be on time"
you might leave me at the church
in the valley" she said.
a watchful motor policeman saluted
as the professor bowed in his direc-
ton. The professor was, as Miss
Sterling said, well and worthily
known. From the portico Of the
church In the valley Il whitehead
maid and an eager bridegroom well
coined the two. ave were so worried
for fear you would not get here" the
Whitehead maiden said.
Stephana turned to the professor.
you are going back to town?' she
questioned.
Philip Vaughn nodded. He did not
, know just how he was going to make
those W dusty miles to the station,
which did not, 1t appeared, concern
his charge.
IF you do she requested, 81 wish
you'd stop ut house and tell Aunt
Steve that | got here in time for the
wedding bells to ring. She Is prob
ably anxious. l." the girl cast Il glance
, back over her shoulder, Fam Steve
!. the Second"
! '''' lH'''f''i iNaANlNN liAi
: home of the iinancier he was hopping
his brow, and his shoes were white
5 with dust. He had barely time to
I state his crrand 10 a maid when the
, anxious face Of the girls aunt greeted
p him from behind the maids shoulder.
f.. lie was certain In the first moment
that this sweet, eager face was the
> face Of "Aunt Steve" The respm,
+ hlance to the Maynard niece was un,
mistakable. But when in the stately
Y drawing room he gave that niece's
message, anxiety, instead OF relief
- was evidenced.
$ 'Oh, what" murmured the dis
tressed little lady, "shall | do? My
$ brother will he so troubled, and ste
phana Is in my care. OF course by
{ this time she is married, and not yet
Of age"
e Married." echoed the perplexed
Professor, 81 understood that thr
! Young lady was on her way TO tn,
r wedding Of II friend"
5 "She allowed you 10 think that
Aunt Steye's tone was regretful. "Sh,
I knew that she would be free iron
E
pursuit II seen in your company. Ste
phana's father has openly disap
proved Of her engagement to zach
{ Brown"
The guardian aunt of the runawa!
:, smiled n wlstful smile. 81 am no
d sure" she thoughtfully replied, "per
r haps little Steve has a right ia he.
g happiness. She is a good child"
The door opened suddenly to ADM
the smiling object of conversation
d her radiant husband at her side. Joy
II ously she kissed her aunt, then turne,
To the professor.
;, "Well, II took YOU ms long to GO
u here MS hoped 1t would she said
Is I'VE just cut along and iixe
y things up with dad. lie has said
y Bless You, my children and feel
Is much more comfortable ovcr the fact
he If won nVpr NNnnt mo IN DIVA ~,