The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-11-08


the club in, his fathers runabout he
told her he was going away, and he
told her why. She listened and re-
garded indolently some flowers he had
given her.
snow, listen, Elizabeth" he said,
as they seated themselves at table
by one of the high French windows
overlooking the Sound, II want to tell
you"
Must we go into all that" she in
terrupted, with the accent on the
"must"
ooh, no,s he replied. His voice
had drawl. and he appeared to be
so composed that Elizabeth felt some
thing within her stir irritatingly. u
just wanted to tell you about my plans.
Thought you'd be interested"
He sat thoughtfully regarding her.
Foolish" / should think" Eliz-
abeth ventured. "No one knows you
there"
He did not answer her 1t was only
after they had sent away several
courses that he leaned toward her,
suddenly, impulsively, with that ap-
prehensive eagerness that had charac-
terized his boyish advances.
Its not my idea." he began, ito
rehash all-weil. you know what
mean"
He hesitated and let his teeth play
havoc with his lower lip.
ooh, geel Elizabeth" he went on
with sharp catch of Impotence.
"even as a kid / was sure that you
were the loveliest little girl in the
world; as mad as a March hare, and
as sweet as a rose. NowI don't
know. Got the signals mixed,
guess.
Gee, somehow / sort of pity the
children, with their innocent boy and
girl hearts. Can't you see them there
by the fireside, dreaming of Prince
Charming and the princess with gold
en- hair who so rarely, rarely come?
The children-poor kids-so soon to
leave their romantic dreaming and
face the world"
''What are you talking about?" she
demanded Grossly. Her eyes held the
color of f1eeting water adrift in shall
lows.
The dinner was not a success. That
was certain. He went out at ten
O'Clock and she waited ON the porch
while he got the runabout. When he
came round with 1t and halted below
her under the porte-cochere Elizabeth
hesitated and fingered for moment
on the top step. She stood there
drawing circles on the floor with the
point of her slipper.
Get in,'' he said briefly.
They started the diminutive car
leaping like a thoroughbred spurred
to action. AS they whirled through
the entrance Of the Country Club the
near mudguard caught on the gate
and was ripped off.
Elizabeth shrieked.
Muffler wide, banging and echoing
like a gatling gun in action, the runa.
bout shot down an open stretch Of
moonlit road. Elizabeth hung on. Sud
denly she felt herself flatten against
his shoulder.
"Bill!" screamed Elizabeth.
keep still, will your" he snapped.
The road they were travelling now
lay directly across the marsh through
which an inland river flowed. Far
ahead, the iron of its framework out
lined against the sky. was a bridge.
Coming in from the sea, with sparks
spouting firelike from her funnel, was
a tug-boat drawing bragg.
Almost before EIizabth could realize
it they were mounting the rise to the
drawbridge. From the first cross
beam of the bridges ironwork red
lantern swung ominously.
The revolving wheels on the circu-
lar track under center of the bridge
we're creaking. At either end of the
bridge a triangular space, with open
water underneath. was slowly widen
ing.
"Bill, Bill, it's opening!" cried Eliz-
abeth frantically.
The little car fairly leaped through
the air to the bridge. Clutching at
Bilps arm the frightened girl moaned
family as the car jumped the chasm
on the other side and landed on the
road.
The rear wheels skidded ever the
edge of the road, pulled free. and they
headed for the ditch on the farther
side. With twist Of the wheel Bill
brought her back into the road, and
they were off again with a rush.
"Some car" said Bill.
Winding her arm into his. Eliza
beth drew herself close to the strong
protection of his presence.
"Oh, Billy" she protested, why
hurry so-tonight?" she added.
Suddnly, then, she felt as if she had
needed and wanted him always. The
flood of that awakening ran like a
burning river through her heart, pleas
ure and pain commingling.
FT,,,,.,1ipo, into Main Ctroof no drovu