Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-02-18
Motor Charity
and Cupid
BY JANE OSBORN

walk along the smooth country turn
pike, fresh autumn air blowing in his
face bringing back half-shaped recol-
lections of autumn days of his boy
hood. AS it was, Ben felt wrath and
ndignatiOn-wrath at his younger
brother for having driven Ben's car
across country and back the day be-
fore without repenishing the gasoline
supply, and Indignation at himself for
not having noticed so important a de-
tail before starting out. If things had
gone as he expected he would have
had ample time to get to Hillcrest for
that important legal conference at the
appointed hour.
Finding himself without gasoline
with his car stopped dead still on the
roadside just five miles from any
where, didn't seem like so great an
obstacle at first. Ben had an idea
that all he would have to do was to
hail the next car, beg some gasoline
and then go on his way
The first motorist he had hailed
proved to be a pretty girl. driving
alone with her dog At sight of the
tall, broad-shouldered young man sig
mailing for help at the roadside the
pretty girl pulled her soft hat down
over her nose and sped along all the
faster. A middle-aged man and wom-
an came along next in suffering old
touring car. AT sight of Ben the wom-
hold hnr f,,a ~,
apparent dismay and her companion
at the wheel squeezed what speed he
could out of his old vehicle
Ben had locked his car and had
started off walking in the direction of
farmhouse some miles back, hoping
that there he might be able to tele-
phone to garage for help or other
wise find a solution for his problem,
when Margaret Oliver came spinning
along in her comfortable little road
ster. He hailed her, but barely ex-
pected "A response. To his surprise she
drew in to the roadside and asked Ben
If she could give him lift. Ben eX-
planned that the abandoned car further
along was his and that he wanted to
get to HillcreSt or to a garage.
9TH tell you what I'll do" said Mar
garet, opening the door of her little
car. you get in here and I'll drive
you to Hillcrest."
But you're going in the opposite
direction" said Ben, who nevertheless
took the proffered seat at Margarets
side. You don't want to turn around
and go to Hillcrest :"
''It won't take long said Margaret.
'"Fhat certainly is mighty kind of
you" said Ben, sincerely grateful
Its most mcommonly considerable"
''It's only what you'd do for a fellow
motorist yourself" said Margaret. 81
thought it was a sort of unwritten law
of the road to help each other that
way"
Not on this road said Ben en-
phatically I've called out to every
ear or truck that passed and you We're
the only one that stopped
Margaret laughed ''FrobablY they
are afraid" she suggested. Haven't
YOU Led1d vi 0tI Selitieliis'H ii''i''stl
that's been holding UP motorists
latelyY
AT least you weren't afraid said
Ben. u should think people could
tell bandit when they saw one
"Oh, bur the PEOPLE who have been
held up say that this one is very good-
looking. Anyway, bandits never LOOK
the way you expect they are gong TO.
l might ne one, 700 put III moi 5'lld
! don't believe you are, either. FheF
sped along together IN silence Tor
few minutes. Then as they neared the
group Of country homes that narEea
IIillcrest Ben noticed with sails ac-
ton that he still had time to arrive
at the home Of his client, Mr.. Matthew
Clark, ten minutes before the hour sci
for the conference.
~ on could Just drop me al me
Clark place suggested Ben as they
drew into Hillcrest. m ne end
grateful to you It's an important bus
mess appointments and ! understand