The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-07-10
shouted It above the roar of the en-
CINE. The driver waved hand for


CINE. The driver waved a hand for
ward. 49,
keep to the main road. Drop of
when make the turn"
'"Thanks for the lift"
Jaw, forget It,"
The truck wheeled from the main
road and chugged away, leaving Fair
child afoot, making as much progress
as possible toward his goal until good
fortune should bring a swifter means
Of locomotion. Suddenly he wheeled.
Rehind him sounded the swift droning
of u motor. cut-out open, as it rushed
forward along the road-and the noise
told Story of speed.
Far at the brow Of steep hill it
appeared, seeming to hang in space
for an instant before leaping down.
ward. Rushing, plunging, once skid
ding dangerously at a small curve, 1t
made the descent. bumped over a
bridge, was lost for second in the
pines. then sped toward him, big
touring car, with 4 small, resolute
figure clinging to the wheel. Then,
with a report like a revolver shot, the
machine suddenly Slowed in drunken
fashion far to one side Of the road,
hung dangerously over the steep cliff
an instant, righted itself, swayed for
ward and stopped, barely twenty-five
yards away. Staring, Robert Fair
child saw that small, trim figure had
leaped forth and was waving excited
ly to him, and he ran forward.
His first glance had proclaimed it
boy; the second had told different
story. A girl-dressed in far different
fashion from, Robert Fairchild's lim-
tied specifications of feminine garb-
she caused him to gasp in surprise,
then to stop and stare. Again she
waved hand and stamped foot ex-
citedly; a vehement little thing in a
snug -whipcord riding habit and
checkered cap pulled tight over close
ly braided hair, she awaited him with
all the impatience Of impetuous wom-
anhOOd. y
"For goodness sake, come here!"
she called, as he still stood gaping.
'I'll give you five dollars. Hurry"
Fairchild managed to voice the fact
that he would be willing to help with.
out remuneration, as he hurried for
ward. She dived for the tonneau,
Jerking with all her strength at the
heavy seat cushion, as he stepped to
the running board beside her.
Cant get this dinged thing up!"
she painted. always sticks when
you're in hurry. That's it! Jerk it.
Thanks! Here" She reached for.
ward and a small, sun.tanned hand
grasped greasy jack. "Slide under
the back axle and put this Jack in
place, will you? And rush 1t! I've
got to change tire in nothing fiat
Hurry"
Fairchild, almost before he knew It,
found himself under the rear of the
car, fussing with refractory lifting
jack and trying to keep his eyes from
the view of trinity clad, brown-shod
little feet, as they pattered about at
the side of the car, hurried to the rum
ming board, then stopped as wrenches
and n hammer clattered to the
ground. Then one shoe was raised,
to press tight against wheel; metal
touched metal, feminine gasp sound
ed as strength was exerted in vain.
then eddying dust as the foot stamped,
accompanied by an exasperated ejacu-
lation.
"Ding these old lugs! They're rust
ed! Got that jack in place yet?"
Eyes! I'm raising the car now"
"Oh, please hurry" There was
pleading in the tone now. "Please"
The car creaked upward. Out came
Fairchild, brushing the dust from his
clothes. But already the girl was
pressing the lug wrench into his
hands.
"Don't mind that dirt" came her
exclamation. "I'll-1ll give you some
extra money to get your suit cleaned.
Loosen those lugs, while I get the
spare tire Off the back. And for good
ness sake, please hurry!"
Astonishment had taken away
speech for Fairchild. He could only
wonderland obey, while behind him
girl in whipcord riding habit and
close-pulled cap fidgeted first on one
tan-clad foot, then on the other, anx-
iously watching the road behind her
and calling constantly for speed. {
At last the job was finished, the girl
fastening the useless shoe behind the
machine while Fairchild tightened the
last Of the lugs, Then as he straight.
ened, small figure shot to his side,
took the wrench from his hand and
sent it, with the other tools, clatter-
Ing into the tonneau. A tiny hand
went into a pocket. something that
crinkled was showed into the mans
grasp, and while he stood there gasp.
ing. she .leaped to the drivers seat,
slammed the door, spun the starter
until It whined, and with open cut
cut roaring again, was off and away.
socking down the mountain side,
around curve and out Of sight
while Fairchild merely stood there,
staring wonderingly at. ten-dollar
49, S3 3issEs :ssa ~ 9S 455fS "