Evening star., 1924-01-06
The Flivver, the Long, Rakish Six.Cylinder,
And Girl Who Was Called Pseudo.Aristocrat

*-:-:~:
! She was not used. you see. to being
scolded by young men.
| He brought the car to a standstill
! with jerk, and regarded her mus
! ingly
! Woman. woman" he murmured
Always striving to place the blame
on other shoulders, always in the
right, never in the wrong. You're a
spoiled child. that is all you area
spoiled child. I've half mind to take
you back to your car and leave you
in it,"
He said it so sternly that she could
not be sure he was not serious: SO.
to make certain he would not carry
out his threat. she employed all her
wiles. She vouchsafed him, for in
stance. a smile-a dazzling, friendly
smile, half-humorous. half-appealing.
please don't do that" she begged.
! you'd much better come home and
stay to lunch"
He did not answer at first, but his
eyes fingered on hers. Then he took
out his watch--a perfectly present
able watch, she noticed.
Quarter to 9" he said. How
! far is home?'
about mile And we have good
cook"
Yes. you would have" he agreed
enigmatically. But how do you know
I don't eat with my knife? How do
| you know ] won't steal the silver?'
81 don't know" she said, "but 1
really don't care If you do"
Well" he admitted grudgingly. "I
suppose I must eat. Man can not live
on love alone"
She flushed little and remained
silent.
Doubtless he noticed it. for he said
quickly: Oh. I'm not being personal.
! Don't worry"
I'm not worrying"
ST beg your pardon. Yes, TIL come
to lunch with pleasure. BY the way,
my name is Godfrey Rudel, and, as
I've told you. I'm a wandering trouba-
dour. twentieth-century type. May
ask what you are called? Perhaps
il would be better for me to know
your family and all that.
"I am Audrey Manning" said she.
my father is Baird Manning"
If she had expected him to be i'm
pressed she was disappointed.
"All right he said calmly. That's
that"
RAIRD AIANNING's country place
is, of course. famous. We have
all seen photographs of the house
and of the gardens, and we have
dwelt on them with envious eyes.
The fiivver containing Miss Manning,
Godfrey Rudel and his ukulele
| whirled up the winding entrance
drive and stopped, unabashed, in
front of the Corinthian portico.
Come on" said Audrey, 'get out.
I'll have one Of the men take 1t round
to the garage"
ttAh, yes. Of course" murmured
Geoffrey, zone OF the men,
well" she retorted sharply, what
of it? There are men on the place.
you know"
Shall leave my ukulele for an
other one OF the men to take in?" he
inquired.
You can do as you like" she an
swered, and preceded him into the
house, zone OF the men" holding open
the door for her.
Are they at luncheon, Alden" she
asked. YES? Well, never mind.
ThereN be one extra. Tell Jenkins"
Very good, miss
to tnt,
the car. It's at the foot OF Starting
hill"
VERY good, miss
See that Mr.-er Mr.. Rudel has
everything he needs, Alden
Very good. miss
''Tll meet you in the hall in FIVE
minutes. Mr.. Rudel, and we'll 20 in
together. You'll have to be intro
duced all round. That will annoy
every one. They hate TO be inter-
rupted at lunch"
Perhaps" said Geoffrey. with a
smile. sit would be better il i ate I'm
the pantry. L could sing for the
cook"
HE wouldn't appreciate IT," she
stairs.
Geoffrey waited for her ten minutes,
and then she appeared and led him
to the dining room. You remember,
surely, the dining room at Manning's
Manor? high-ceiled, oak-paneled,
with a huge carved mantel at ono end
and a huge carved sideboard at the
other, and French windows leading
out to a brick-paved terrace.
There were ten persons at table,
all eating lobster. Four OF them rose
at Audrey's entrance, and all but
cne stopped eating temporarily. Her
father, Mr.. Baird Manning, merely
said Hello" and resumed his strug-
gle with a claw. His time, you see,
was very valuable.
Godfrey was presented formally to
Mrs Manning, who wiped her fingers
surreptitiously on her napkin and
then graciously shook hands. To the
others the introduction was moro
simple, consisting only OF a recital
Of names.
Miss Bradshaw; my aunt, Miss
Herbert; Miss Tower. my kid sister,
my father, Mr.. Pegram. Mr.. Jewett
and Mr. Hill. There, now sit down.
I'm starving and Mr.. Dudel is, too.
He's a hero-he saved me-so give
him plenty to eat"
what happened?" asked Miss
Bradshaw, the obviously healthy
young woman on Geoffrey's right.
"She couldn't start the car" he ex-
planned.
"And you couldn't either?"
"Oh, I didn't try. That would have
spoiled everything. II hadn't sue
ceeded it would have been humiliat-