Evening star., 1926-10-05
CHAPTER XXX.
Wings OF the Wind.

AS the car dashed onward Carolita
had the sensation of being borne upon
the wings Of the ':tnd. Faster and
faster 1t dashed. sSyaying from one
side of the road to the other, while
the girl was tossed from roof to floor
and back on to the seat again-faster
and faster!
Dawn was showing far off when
the driver pulled up beside clump
OF trees and rocks. and descending
from his seat opened the rear door
Of the car
Missy" he said respectfully, mice
boys clothes on floor, Missy dress,
yes? Then Jap cut Missy's hair
please. yes? Best to do. Missy, bad
people find Missy perhaps, yes? Jap
boy no let them If Missy be boy"
Carolita obeyed automatically, too
weak and tired to protest, and it was
a relief to peel of the damp bedrag-
gled night dress and climb into a
pair Of boys trousers, shirt and coat
There were shoes, too, sneakers and
SOCKS, and cap to complete the
outfit. For the first time her sense Of
humor asserted itself. How funny she
must look! What would the sisters
think!
When she had finished dressing she
descended from the car and while the
Jap boy carried off the old gown and
blanket she bathed her hands and
face in the tiny spring which spouted
from the rocks. Presently the Jap
came with a pair Of shears and deftly
clipped off her dark locks. concealing
them in an underbush with the great
est care. The loss of her hair was
not so amusing. and brought a few
tears. yet she dared not resist.
Miss smart boyr he exclaimed
when he had finished, surveying her
proudly, now Missy sit front seat
see? Eat when we ride. yes? now?"
Carolita tried to show her gratitude,
and he beamed upon her.
This is the Strangest of all my
adventures" Carolita thought, as be-
tween the violent lurches of the car
she nibbled away at a sandwich. 1t
was little less difficult to cling to
the front seat, but still it was rough
enough to require steeled nerves and
firm grip. 'I'll soon be dead Of
fatigue she thought "Oh. if only
I knew the meaning of it all!'
Now Missy" the Japanese directed.
you Mexico boy, friend of Sake. see
California soon. Missy not know
much. not see California before. live
in country always on farm, see?"
Yes" Carolita understood and now
that daylight allowed her to study this
mans countenance she found it open
and friendly, bringing back her con-
fidence by leaps and bounds. At least
she was safely on the road to some
where,
(Which way are we going. Sako?"
she asked. do you mean Los
Angeles?"
II think maybe soon, but bad people
watch ALWAYS. Sake be muchly care
full of Missy! Missy know, Sake al
ways friend, take care Of Missy, no
tell much"
Sake, are you friend Of Mr.
Gaines or Mr.. Milana? Why did you
take me away from them?"
Sake friend to Uchita.'
"Cchita?"
Yes. Uchita friend to Missy, very
good"
He was not going to reveal any
thing. Carolita decided. 1t was Of no
use to ask. but her hope scared. She
was on her way to Los Angeles. That
was enough to fully occupy her
thoughts. Los Angeles, where Paul
AS the day progressed with no
undue adventures her nerves relaxed.
IN spite Of great weariness she was
contented, almost happy, memories Of
the last days growing fainter and
fainter, until she wondered If it had
not all been a dream! Still. her pres
ent position was real enough, her
shorn locks. her boys clothes!
The country through which the car
plunged was lonely one, sparSely in
habited. Carolita could not decide
had travelled over with the two
Milanas. for both trips had been made
at such a tremendous speed. She
remembered the large town through
which they had driven on the way
down. Surely they had driven far
enough to reach 1t! They must be
upon a different route.
''Sako," she asked, giving voice to
her question. "on the way down here
We came through larger town. What
do you suppose was the name Of it?"
Tia Juana." he replied; no go
there now. muchly bad place for
MISSY. Sake go smart way, no
trouble
So much for that! Smart way was
evidently also much longer way.
Carolita was beginning to think that
"A good hot meal with a chance to
stretch her tired limbs would be the
next best thing to the much heralded
Kingdom OF Heaven, When would
this wild adventure eliminate?
The day passed, the shadows length
ened. darkness fell. Once they halted
while Sake refilled his gas tank. The
stop was made at small village. and
the rough Mexican who waited upon
them stared at Carolita so rudely that
II frightened her. On their way again.
Fatigue was becoming painful.
''Sako." her voice was faint with
exhaustion, "daren't you tell me who
my enemies are, or are they your
enemies? From whom are we run
ming away? What is the danger that
threatens us?'
Missy have big enemies. try to
steal Missy
IL must be the most popular girl
in America She smiled at her
fancy. so many people seem TO need
me-so suddenly"
Her thoughts were brought 10
halt by an event so unexpected and
20 alarming that il threw her once
more into a panic. While running
through the next tiny settlement the
car was followed by men, firing shots
in their wake!
Buns no quick enough" Sake A.
sured her. Sake he muchly smart"