The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-04-13
lOUISE'S CAR
Bv ELIZABETH M'NAUGHT

= naD.soess"I
0, 1922 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
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
trlpped along, pausing momentarlly at
the junction Of three automobile In
tested streets to await an opportunity
to gain the other side.
Glaring 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 hef
present mode Of living in a single FUR
nished room, with housekeeping priv
leges, was really an upward step. she
was at least happy, and-well, what
more could one desire?
."For the love Of Pete, look OUT?
roared a 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, ANONYMOUSLY, like a 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 consollng her and two very willing
arms were making frantic efforts to
retrieve her befurred, perhaps dlsF
membered, anatomy from the mud.
"Poor little GIRL" he was saying, 1T
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 MS
magnificent car and a moment later
the girl knew she was being rushed to
the hospital. She cast a 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, 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"
Sorry? Why| ne asked IN sur
prise.
"Oh, Just because" she hesltated,
and he, noticing a very small tear
quivering on the black eyelash, made a
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 1t seemed even
more formidable than her imagination
or her memory Of It conceived.
Very few words were spoken during
the trip, mainly because Of the fact
that he was without a 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 night2"
go to the movies?" in Amusement
"Oh, Of course, If you don't care fol
the movies I'll get tickets for sym
phony, or anywhere you say. l per
sonally like the movies, but it's more
or less habit. Having little time tt
spare, I run In when things get toe
dull"
when things get too dulll" she re
peated. Then, eagerly, please, JUS
what do you dol"
I'm taxi driver"
! "Well, III be jiggeredw In relief
the girls tired expression changed II
{ repose and she was very sweet am
appealing In her natural mood O
laughing and crying and talking all II
one breath. "And I thought you wer
rich and educated and oh, ever s.
wealthy and as far above me as tn
moon, and now, isn't that a hummer?
she demanded, pointing to the car.
Hummer nothing! But that's m
| car and It's as good as any old hum
mer. I practically made 1t myself
1t boasts parts from every second-han
shop in the city. I can't very we
name 1t unless, perhaps, l might call
Louise"
"Oh, please do,"s she whispered frol
the depths of his raccoon shoulde
Don't things always turn out pc