The herald., 1922-10-26
AN ACCIDENT
BY ROSE e. SlMKO


Miracles usually follow accidents.
Jerry's experience verified this, for the
incident was truly accidental, with re-
suits emphatically miraculous.
Jerry would never have agreed to |
make up the foursome had he known |
that Dave Hallor was included. 1t |
would not be very courteous to with |
draw at the last minute, SO he greeted
Dave on the first tee with slight nod
and a casual remark about the
weather.
Jerry Mahle did not approve of Hal
lOr, for various reasons, but chiefly be-
cause Martha Dale was ciassed as rea-
son No. 1. Jerry had aspirations OF
building bungalow for Martha and
paying her hat bills for life, until Dave
Hallor interfered. 1t did not take
half an eye for Jerry to understand 1t
was growing painfully evident that
Martha appreciated Dawes company
and enjoyed his chocolates to dis
concerning degree.
Teeing up this momentous after
noon, Jerry considered all these events
1t was only natural that he should abb
sent mindedly have gone out OF his
turn, or perhaps 1t was a within Of
fate, and Dave and he drove of the
first tee almost at the same time.
There was a resounding whack, fol-
lowed by the crashing Of glass! The
golfers looked at each other, aghast.
One ball had broken through the wind
shield Of an idle automobile, parked
In the road adjoining the fairway.
Whose ball was responsible? No
one had seen which way the individual
balls went, as both had been badly
sliced.
Il guess it's yours, Jerry" one men,
Der Of the foursome ventured. Il
wasn't really looking, but l thought
Dawes went into the bushes"
Jerry promptly dashed away to offer
his apologies and make reparation for
the damages. Breathlessly he reached
the car. To his amazement he found
a girl In a swoon. One cheek was
bleeding from a slight scratch occa-
stoned by a flying bit of glass.
Martial" he gasped. He looked
about helplessly. What should he do?
In another second he stepped into the
car, gently showed Martha aside, and
seating himself behind the wheel,
started the motor.
where are you going" Dave
shouted.
ITO the hospitali She's hurt "
Jerry called back, his face very white.
He drove down the greer roadway
and was thrilled to have her head rest
ing on his shoulder. Martha was
snuggled against him! Martha's hair
ribbons were flying about and against
his face!
Presently she stirred uneasily!
"Oh, what has happened" she
asked In alarm.
"Stay quietl Your hurt! I'm tax
ing you to the hospital"
Jerry Mahle. you stop right here
refuse to be taken to any hospital
was more frightened than hurt!~
The surprised youth brought the cal
to a halt. His heart thumped with
the knowledge that Martha still
seemed to enjoy the comfort Of hi'
shoulder. With a handkerchief HI
mopped the blood from her smooth
: cheek.
The proximity was dangerous. Il
fired Jerry with astounding courage
Perhaps he was unaccOuntable for hi
words. but Martha believed he wa
sincere about 1t.
martha. l love you! I'm just will
about you! Please tell me you car
for mel!
And without waiting Jerry bent hi
head TO kiss her. Then the miracl
happened. She held up her lips I
1 meet his! The world at once becam
| full of flowers and birds and beautifu
things.
II When they came back to the worlt
Jerry was first to speak.
III "But-but Martha, what abou
Dave? Oh, I'm a cad! I should ne
have compromised you like this!"
II you dead old goose!" she said, Ct
ressing her cheek to his. Didn't 70
know it was you all the time? L
merely let Dave rush me just to wal
you up and see II you really wante
mem
There followed another interval {
bliss, while no one looked.
Martha's toe kicked some round o
ject. She bent down to pick up
bright, new golf ball, the one that hs
crashed through the windshield.
Jerry, here's you ball. We Dug
to put It away rs q remembrance
our engagement"
MY balli" Jerry exclaimed. WI
this isn't my ball! See, there's an
painted on 1t. That's what Dave DO
to all his golf ballsr
The ar is bigger than the You"
communism.
h.