Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-02

| we uluue IdlT tilile, Couslaein yoo
wanted me to drive slow an' safe"
From the mass of dusty-veiled hu-
manity In the car came low ,exclama-
tions and plaintlve feminine walls.
Madeline stepped to the front Of the
porch. Then the deep voices OF men
and softer voices of women united in
one glad outburst, as much thanks
giving as a greeting, Majesty"
Helen Hammond was three years
younger than Madeline, and slender.
pretty girl. Having recovered her
breath soon after Madeline took her to
her room, she began to talk.
Majesty. old girl, I'm here but you
can bet would never have gotten here
If ! had known about that ride from
the railroad. You never wrote that
you had cur. thought this was out
West-stage-coach and all that sort of
thing. Such tremendous car! And
the road. What kind of chauffeur
is her"
by falling under his horse, so l had
him instructed to run the car. He can
drive. don't you think?"
Drive? Good gracious! He scared
us to death, except Castleton. Nothing
could scare that cold-blooded little
Englishman. am dizzy yet Do you
know. Majesty, l was delighted when
saw the car. Then your cowboy
driver met us at the platform. What
a queer-ooking individual. He had
big pistol strapped to those leather
trousers. That made me nervous.
When he piled us all in with our grips.
he put me In the seat beside him,
whether l liked 1t or not. ! was fool
enough to tell him loved to travel
fast. What do you think he said?
Well, he eyed me in rather cool and
speculative way and said, with smile,
Miss. | reckon anything you love an
want bad Will be coming to you out
here!' l didn't know whether it was
delightful candor or iIppudence. Then
he said to all of us: Shore you had
better wrap up in the wells an busters.
It's long, slow, hot dusty ride to the
| ranch. an Miss Hammond's order was
to drive safe He got our baggage
checks and gave them to a man with
n huge wagon and a four-horse team.
Then he cranked the car. jumped In,
wrapped. his arms round the wheel,
and sank down low In his seat. There
was crack. jerk, kind of flash
around us. and that dirty little town
was somewhere on the map behind.
For about five minutes ! had a lovely
time. Then the wind began to tear
me to pieces. couldn't hear any
thing but the rush of wind and roar of
the car. could see only straight
ahead What road l never saw
road in my life till today. Miles and
miles and miles ahead, with not even
post or tree That big car seemed
to leap at the miles. 1t hummed and
sang. l was fascinated then terrified.
We went so fast l couldn't catch my
breath The wind went through me,
and | expected to be disrobed by 1t
any minute. l was afraid | couldn't
hold any clothes on. Presently all
could see was a flashing gray wall
with white line In the middle. Then
my eyes blurred. My face burned. My
ears grew full of hundred thousand
bowling devils. was about ready to
die when the car stopped. ! looked
and looked. and when l could see,
there you stood!"
"Helen, thought you were fond Of
speeding" said Madeline. with laugh.
II was But l assure you l never
before was In fast car; I never met
a driver"
perhaps l may have few sur
prlses for you out here In the wild and
woolly West"
Helens dark eyes showed a sisters
memory Of possibilities.
you've started WE'LL" she said. ~
am simply stunned. expected to find
you old and dowdy. Majesty, you're
the handsomest thing l ever laid eyes
on. You're so splendid and strong.
and your skin is like white gold.
What's happened to you? WHAT'S
changed you? This beautiful room.
those glorious roses out there. the cool,
dark sweetness of this wonderful
house! know you. Majesty. and.
though you never wrote It, / believe
YOU have made a home out here.
That's the most stunning surprise of
all. Come, confess. l know I've al
ways been selfish and not much Of n
sister; but If you are happy out here
l am glad. You were not happy at
home. Tell me about yourself and
about Alfred. Then shall give you
all the messages and news from the
East"
1t afforded Madeline exceeding pleas
ure to have from one and all of her
guests varied encomiums of her beau
tiful home. and a real and warr1 inter
est in what promised to be delight
full and memorable visit.
OF them all Castleton was the only
one who failed to show surprise. He
greeted her precisely as he had when
he had last seen her In London. Made
line, rather to her astonishment. found
meeting him again pleasurable. She
discovered she liked this imperturbabe.
Englishman. Manifestly her capacity
for liking any one had immeasurably
enlarged. Quite unexpectedly her old
girlish love for her younger sister
sprang ln.o life, and with 1t interest
in these hhlf-forgotten friends, and n
warm regard for Edith Wayne. a chun