The broad ax., 1926-08-07
The Lady and the
Limousine
tcopyriEht.l
BY cLARIsSA MACKIE

pared for the event. had Immediately
disappeared, using the ancient fiivver
that had been their first car-before
success had sured them to destruc-
| ton. Tbs large garage contained
half dozen other cars-all handsome
and glittering; these were left behind,
but the fivver had carried or the
Braitlings, together with clothing and
jewels, and two pet dogs.
The big house was full OF the trag-
edy OF a broken home. Unpaid serv-
ants fling claims and poor Peggy
down In the front hall sitting on her
trunk with her bag beside her and
I've dollars In her pocketbook.
but / haven't money enough to
get home, Mr.. Lee" she said to the
sheriff when he told her that the
house must be cleared by noon. The
servants had gone grumblingly away,
helping one another with luggage.
Just then the expressman came FOR
PegRy's trunk, which she sent home
collect"
81 could-it has been done and
can do tt" she said to herself. TIL
just walk home. My bag Is light-the
weather cool, and I'll drop card to
mother so that she will not worry
I shall tell her that am touring !"
After the postcard had been dis
patched, Peggy ate dinner at the VII
lage hotel and later started walking.
TITS only a hundred miles," she told
herself as she tramped sturdiIy on.
Peggy ate her supper among the
trees under q clouding sky. and she
had barely started to resume her
walk when the first raindrop fell. She
turned hastily into an old wood-road
to get under shelter, and then she saw
| the beautiful blue limousine thrust
partly into the underbrush.
Convincing herself that the big car
was abandoned, Peggy thought Of II
m q desirable shelter during the rain
and made her way in.
Rain pounded on the roof and the
trees thrashed I'm the heavy wind that
was rising.
When 1t grew dark Peggy pressed
q button and the interior was softly
illuminated. "This Is Ike O fairy
story" she laughed. She saw that
the car was richly upholstered In
sapphire blue velvet; the fittings were
silver. Blue leather cases and pock-
cts promised further luxuries. A
Newspaper was tossed on the seat be-
side her. Peggy pulled down all the
silken shades at the windows and
wished miserably for something TO
eat II was then that she discovered
that her feet rested on a lunch ham,
per that had been placed inside for
protection In case Of rain. The fat
hamper, perfectly equipped, gave up
q modest amount of food-a dozen
sandwiches, fruit and vacuum bottle
Of hot coffee.
Poor, famished Peggy ate greedily.
"A mans lunch" yawned Peggy az
she put the things tidily away and
closed the hamper. Then she rolled
her topcoat into pillow and snuggled
into the deeply cushioned seat Peggy
slept while the wind and rain droned
a lullaby around her snug retreat.
Daylight came, and with II two men,
who lifted and pulled, assisted by q
rope attached to the rear. At the
| final bump, which landed them In the
road, Peggy woke up rubbing her eyes.
The door opened suddenly and a
big, pleasant voice startled her.
"Well. my lad, what are you doing
hereT
Miss Wright slipped into her top
ceat and brushed back her rumpled
hair. In a few words she explained
the predicament, frankly telling Of
her plight. I've had a splendid rest,
and I'm going on my way now" she
said after she had thanked him. and
heard his explanation Of how he was
Giving his mother a new limousine,
and was driving the car home himself.
He had blundered into the country
road and q recklessly driven motor
truck had bumped him from the rear
and showed the new car across the
ditch. The gears were stripped and
there was other damage that needed
an expert mechanician. So Mr..
Thomas Peabody had locked up the
car and tramped miles to find q
garage. BY the time he discovered
one the storm was raging and. as he
had pushed the limousine into the
bushes before he left 1t, he went to
the hotel and slept. Now they were
en- route to the garage for repairs,
when he would resume the trip to
Camden.
%Camden7 Why, live In PhIladel-
phia," exclaimed Peggy, then she
blushed with embarrassment.
IF you don't mind waiting for re
pairs, 1t win be a lark for you to ride
part of the way tempted Mr.. Pea.
body, SAY, as far as Camden" They
argued It out at the breakfast table
in the hotel, and, later, Peggy Wright
rode I'm aftiuent comfort In the velvet.
lined car. Before the car reached
Camden she was sitting beside Thorn
as on the front seat and they were
chatting like old friends.
"Your mother viii be delighted with
this car" said Peggy as they parted
aShe is not to have this particular
one after ALL" declared Mr.. Peabody.
81 will get another one for her, but
this one I'll save for my wife-when
/ get one" There was an odd, shy
look In Thomas Peabody's eyes, and
he looked 80 hard at Peggy that she
hlushed and ran away