The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-03-09
Charlie Gets His
Thrill
By FRANK H. WILLIAMS

nothing exciting would ever happen to
him. He'd always declared that his
life would be just like his experience
In the war-one Of the first to be
drafted, and all during the service kept
at desk job In America until long
hfter the boys who saw actual fight
Ing were mustered out and back home
again.
That's the way my life Is going to
be-" Charlie told some of his pals one
evening after poker game in which
Charlie, as nearly always, had come
out practically even. my life is going
10 be humdrum and monotonous. There
won't be anything wonderful or ex-
citing In 1t. No matter what thing
j tackle that looks like action, II al
ways goes to sleep when come along.
It's tough. l tell you, fellows, it's
tough"
Huh" calculated one of the others,
when your luck does change 1t sure
will change for fair. You'll get all the
excitement you want by and by. You
watch"
mix, not mel" exclaimed Charlie,
and he went from the room out into
the night to find his small car and go
home to his quiet couch.
But Charles car was missing.
And, right there Charles luck
changed
AT first Charlie thought he must be
dreaming. His car was one of the
prehistoric models which should be
placed in museums, and 1t didn't seem
possible that any human being would
care to steal 1t.
At first Charlie thought he might
have forgotten where he'd parked 1t.
But after thinking 1t over carefully he
knew exactly where he'd left the ma
chine, and he knew concluslvely. after
rubbing his eyes a couple of times and
walking around the block, that his ma
chine WINS really gone.
Now, while no one likes to have
machine stolen, the fact of the matter
was that Charles loss was not so
very great, owing to the ancient ma
ture OF his equipage. So, after max
ing one or more futile efforts to find
the car. Charlie shrugged his shoulders
and started to walk home whistling.
Two blocks on the way toward home
Charlie stopped short and rubbed his
eyes. There, parked along the curb
ing a half block in front of him, was
his unmlstakable old bus. OF course
Charlie felt rejoiced and hurried up
10 the machine.
The bus looked much as he'd left It.
The side curtains were still on and
there was just about as much mud on
II as ever. But something was differ
ent about 1t as Charlie felt a thrill
upon coming close to 1t. Just what
was the difference, anyhow?
Charlie couldn't for the life of him
tell where the difference was, hut the
dlfferenc vas there, just the same.
But what was the use of puzzling over
it2
SO he opened the front door, pushed
aside the curtain and started to enter.
But he stopped short.
Seated at the wheel of the car and
smiling at him was beautiful girl
Charlie gasped even as he took In
the girls great beauty and winsome-
ness. And as he looked she spoke,
in a voice that thrilled Charlie i'm
mensely.
1--WE been hoping that you'd come"
said the girl. "Please get in--there's
something l want you to do for me-"
Scarcely believing that he wasn't
dreaming Charlie nevertheless got in
as directed and closed the door behind
him and placed the curtains in posi-
lion"
''Shall l drlve" queried Charlie,
"No, I'll drive" replied the girl ut
will be easier to drive you to the
place / want to take you to than 1t
will be to explain to you how to get
there"
Perhaps 1t would be easier and
quicker for me to drive, after ALL" de-
INJURED Charlie. This car Is apt to
cut up at times and then 1t takes per-
son who knows her thoroughly to make
her CO.
''Pll take a chance" said the girl.
Having said this, she started the car
with the starter which had been added
by Charlie u year before to the cars
ancient equipment. After warming up
the car for a moment or so the girl
sent the machine at rapid pace
through the dark, deserted streets and
out on boulevard which led into the
city.
"Td like to explain everything to
you right away" said the girl, but
] don't dare to. l think you're the
man to help me, though. I've heard
lot about you, and know you're brave
BY the way" she broke of sharply,
"Is any one following us?'
Charles glanced around quickly.
Some distance back on the boulevard
he saw large closed car without
lights coming after them.
Il don't know whether that bird Is