Mountain advocate., 1922-06-23
L0UISE'S CAR
BY ELIZABETH M'NAuoHT


The streets were treacherously icy
and the heels on the patent leather
pumps Of Louise's Sunday and every
day shoes were high. Gingerly, she
tripped along, pausing momentarily at
the junction of three automobile In
Tested streets TO await an opportunity
to gain the other side.
Glnring headlights were 20 the right
of her, more TO the left and countless
more behind and beyond.
Life had been q struggle for Louise
it still was, yet she realized that her
present mode of living in a single fur
nished room, with housekeeping privi-
leges, was really an upward step. She
was at least happy, and-well, what
more could one desire7
"For the love of Pete, look outF'
roared q hoarse voice, almost in her
ear. Something terrible had happened
TO something and Louise knew she was
the Something. The girls mind was
quite clear She knew she was lying In
the mud. ignominiously, like stray
cat, and her fur coat was likely ruined;
and then IL came to her that the kind
est, sweetest voice she had ever heard
was consoling her and two very willing
arms we're making frantic efforts to
retrieve her befurred, perhaps dis
membered, anatomy from the mud.
poor little girl" he was saying, at
was all my fault" and then most stern
ly, "Let her alone, you; I'll take care
of her"
He placed her among the velvet
cushions In the large tonneau Of his
magnificent car and q moment later
the girl knew she was being rushed to
the hospital. She cast q critical eye
over the interior of the car. A hum
mer, 10 he sure, she thought, and just
her luck, too. Her eyes glanced to-
ward the proud head, yet he was not
too proud TO drive his own car.
Her charming Sir Gallahad did not
desert her as abruptly as she had ex-
pected. In fact, lie returned to the
hospital day after day to inquire about
! the fractured ankle. He was the quiet,
courteous gentleman.
"They tell me you may go home to-
morrow" he announced by way OF
greeting one morning land, honestly.
I'm sorry"
"So'm l." replied Louise, and an ex-
preston of extreme sadness Overshad'
/ owed the thin, piquant face, very,
very sorry"
! "Sorryf whyr he asked in sur,
prise.
"Oh, just because" she hesitated,
| and he, noticing n very small tear
Quivering on the black eyelash, made o
hasty departure, flinging back buoy
antly, well, so long. I'll see that you
get home safely and comfortably"
That would be the end, thought
Louise.
When the girl faced the large ma
chine the following day It seemed ever
more formidable than her Imagination
or her memory Of II conceived.
Very few words were spoken during
the trip, mainly because Of the fact
that he was without a chauffeur anC
so was once again forced TO drive tho
car. Louise was glad that he at leas'
was not parasite. In no time at al
he was helping her up the gray stone
steps that led to her front door.
Suddenly, almost impulsively, HI
asked, Say, would you go TO the NOV
les with me some nightT
go TO the movies?" in amazement
"Oh, Of course, If you don't care fol
the movies TIL get tickets for sym
phOny, or anywhere you say. ! per
sonally like the movies, but It's mor'
or less habit. Having little time u
spare, run In when things get to-
dull"
"When things get too dullT" she re
peated. Then, eagerly, please, JUS
what do you dof"
I'm a taxi driver"
We'll, I'll be jiggered" In relief
the girls tired expression changed Il
repose and she was very sweet AM
appealing in her natural mood o
laughing and crying and talking all II
one breath. "And l thought you wer
: rich and educated and oh, ever s.
wealthy and as far above me as tn
moon, and now, isn't that hummer
she demanded, pointing to the car.
Hummer nothing! But that's m
car and it's as good as any old hum
mer | practically made II myself
It boasts parts from every second-han
shop i'm the city. / can't very wei
name II unless, perhaps, might call
Louise"
"Oh. please do" she whispered fror
the dppths of his raccOOn shoulder