Middletown transcript., 1922-07-22
LoUIsE's CAR
BY ELIZABETH M'NAUGHT

- - ~
@. 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
tripped along, pausing momentarily 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 her
present mode of living In single fur
nished room, with housekeeping privi-
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 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
y, d
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 dis
membered, anatomy from the mud.
poor little GIRL he was saying, ut
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 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 60 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?" he asked In sur
prise.
"Oh, just because" she hesitated,
ana he, noticing very small tear
on the black eyelash. made a
hnsty departure, tlinging 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 We're 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 mov-
les with me some night?'
60 to the movies?" In amaZement |
"Oh, of course, If you don't care for
the movies I'll get tickets for SYM
'hony, or anywhere you say. I per-
'onally like the movies, but It's more
'r less habit. Having little time to
spare, l run In when things get too
lull."
"When things get too dull7" she re-
1eated. Then, eagerly, please, Just
What do you dor"
I'm taxi driver"
"Well, I'll be jiggered I" In relief,
he girls tired expression changed to
'epose and she was very sweet and
appealing In her natural mood of
aughing and crying and talking all In
me breath. And l thought you were
'ich and educated and oh, ever so
wealthy and as far above me as the
noon, and now, isn't that hummer
he demanded, pointing to the car
Hummer nothing! But that's my
ar and it's as good as any old hum
ner. | practically made 1t myself
t boasts parts from every secondhand
hop In the city. l can't very well
ame it unless, perhaps, might, call 1t
.ouise."
"Oh, please do" she whispered from
he depths of his raccoon shoulder.
Don't things always turn out ner.