The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-05-01
LOUlSE'S CAR
BY ELIZABETH M'NAUeHT
" n - - . n - q n = n = - . = q !
~ luun McHlnra NDAuanu nnr eNnlLn Z


The streets were treacherously Icy
and the heels on the patent leather
pumps of Loulse's Sunday and every
day shoes were high. Glngerly, she
tripped along, pauslng 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;
it still vas, yet she realized that her
present mode Of living In 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 outW
roared Il 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 it came to her that the kind
est, sweetest voice she had ever heard
was consoling 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
IT, Let her alone, you; I'll take care
Of her"
lie placed her among the velvet
cushions in the large tOnneau Of his
magnificent car and n moment later
the girl knew she was being rushed to
t'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 60 home to-
morrow" he announced by way Of
greeting one morning, land, honestly,
I'm sorry"
Som IT, replied Louise, and an ex-
preston Of extreme sadness 0yershad-
owed the thin, piquant face, very.
very sorry"
sorry? whyT he 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, flinglng back buoy
antly, "WelI, 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 II seemed ever
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 chauffeur anC
so was once again forced to drive tht
car Louise was glad that he at lens
was not a parasite. In no time at al
he was helping her up the gray stone
steps that led to her front door.
Suddenly, almost impulsiyely, III
asked, Say, would you 90 to the NOV
les with me some mighty"
Go to the moyies?" in amazement
oh of course, If you don't care To-
the movies I'll get tickets Tor sym
phony, or anywhere you say. | per
sonally Ike the movies, but It's NOR,
or less habit. Having little time t
spare, l run in when things get to,
dull"
when things get too dullg" she re
peated, Then, eagerly, "Please, JUS
what do you do?"
I'm taxi driver"
We'll, I'll be jiggeedw In relief
the girls tired expression changed t,
repose and she was very sweet ant
appealing In her natural mood o
laughing and crying and talking all II
one breath "And | thought you wer
rich and educated and oh, ever s,
wealthy and as far above me as tn
moon, and now, isn't that n hummer
she demanded, pointing to the car
Hummer nothing But that's m
car and it's as good MS any old hum
mer practically made II myself
It boasts parts from every second-han
shop IN the city. can't very wei
name il unless, perhaps, l might call
Louise"
"Oh, please do" she whispered froI
the depths Of his raccoon shoulder
Don't things always turn out PEI
fectly grandY
Men Who Win Success.
. Gusnauu 10 a1vsa,..s ,Vs.t,.l -. 80.