The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-04-07
lOUISE'S CAR
~ ELIzAsETH M'NAuoHT

"A e y
s.-.-~~~. s. g ass . ~ss~- ~-rss
g. 1922. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
The streets were treacherously ic,
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.
Giaring headlights were to The right
Of her, more TO the left and countless
more behind and beyond.
Life had been a struggle for Louise;
1t 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--weil, what
more could one desire7
"For the love OF Pete, look out r.
roared 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 1t 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, ut
was all my fault" and then most stern
iy, '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 a moment later
the girl knew she was being rushed to
the hospital. She cast critical eye
over the interior OF the car. A hum
mer, to be 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, he 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, "and, 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
Sorry whyf" he asked in sur
prise.
ooh, Just because" she hesitated,
and he, noticing very small tear
quivering on the black eyelash, made a
hasty departure, flinging back buoy
antly, "Well, 50 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 1t seemed even
more formidable than her imagination
or her memory Of 1t conceived.
Very few words were spoken during
the trip. mainly because Of the fact
that he was without chauffeur and
so was once again forced to drive the
car. Louise was glad that he at least
was not parasite. In no time at all
he was helping her up the gray stone
steps that led to her front door.
Suddenly, almost impulsively, he
asked, "Say, would you go to the NOV
les with me some night7'
"Go to the moviesf" in amazement.
ooh, of course, II you don't care for
the movies TIL get tickets for sym
phony, or anywhere you say. I per
sonally like the movies, but It's more
or less habit. Having little time to
spare, run In when things get too
dull"
"when things get too dullf" she re-
peated. Then. eagerly. please, Just
what do you dor"
"I'm taxi driver
swell, I'll be jiggeredr' In relief,
the girls tired expression changed to
repose and she was very sweet and
appealing In her natural mood Of
laughing and crying and talking all In
VhS uieat. anu thVubht 9ou Werc
rich and educated and oh, ever so
wealthy and as far above me as the
moon, and now, isn't that hummer
she demanded, pointing to the car.
Hummer nothingi But that's my
car and It's as good as any old hum
mer. / practically made 1t myself
II boasts parts from every secondhand
shop in the city. / can't. very well
name IT unless, perhaps. might call II
Louise.
"oh, please do" she whispered from
the depths of his raccoon shoulder.
"Don't things always turn out per.
fectly grandf'