Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-07-22
That Roadster
of Lucy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD
(copyright)


, her nineteenth birthday there were
plenty OF people to say Carleton
Knowles was fool. For surely 1t was
rank folly to entrust such a high
priced toy to a mere child and also e
endanger the lives OF others by permit
ting her to run It.
Lucy was practically engaged q
Chester Ballou at the time and her
acquisition OF the pretty little roadster
caused considerable ructlon between
them. Chester had managed to master
the intricacies Of his small delivery
truck, but evidently believed a similar
performance quite beyond his fancee
and begged her to desist from learn
Ing to drive.
Il have quite feeling about II" de-
ciared Chester earnestly, that the car
will be the cause OF my losing you.
wake up nights after Nightmares of
finding you smashed IN some terrible
wreck"
''What nonsensef" declared Lucy
shortly. Il never have any such night
mares about you'll"
That's different. said Chester.
But Lucy remained obdurate, took
lessons In driving. and then proceeded
to bankrupt her father-accordlng to
him-for gasoline, oil and tires. No
back country road was too rutty or re-
mote for Lucy to try out when spring
was In the air or autumn painting col
orfully the foliage. No hill was too
steep or town too distant for the girl
to attempt II the spirit moved her.
Oh, she got dltched and had to be
towed out. She ran out OF gas and
mad to walk five miles on an isolated
country road after more. She repaired
punctured tube after dark fifty miles
from home. But all the time she gath
cred experience and cared not II she
we're a source Of fascinated gossip to
the neighbors or apprehension TO
Chester.
That obstinate young man refused
to go driving with her, although his
chum, young Steve Taylor. assured him
she was most competent at the wheel.
And he was in a position to know as
Lucy frequently picked him up on his
way to and from his office.
When Ghester's two weeks of vaca.
ton began he and Steve set out for
their annual camping expedition up In
the hills beside Big Trout brook.
The boys had been gone three days
when Lucy was awakened by the
jangling of the telephone. Responding
sIeepily, she was aroused to instant
alarmed wakefuIness by the voice of
Chester at the other end.
.Lucy2 Lucy7 Steve has met with |
any accident with his gun. Get Doc |
tor Leonard and have him get Luke
Daniels to drive him up in his buggy |
I'm at farm calling, but have got
to get back to Steve. Speed is impor-
tant."
Five minutes after Lucy had hung
up the receiver. she had called the doc
tor, and dressed, and started her car.
Picking up Doctor Leonard and his
bag. she dlsregarded all speed laws
and even those Of common safety.
Il know just where the boys are"
she said briefly. "and I'll be there BY
the time Luke would have gotten
hItched up"
Out of the village, through thinning
ranks OF houses, flying swiftly along
the black ribbon of turnpike, then
swinging abruptly into a gravel road
which in turn gave place to a narrow
dirt lane, Lucy guided the car IN
sweryingly Mile succeeded mile until
suddenly they began to climb and for
4 while plunged along a rocky slope
that had little semblance to even a
trail.
Finally. dipping down into a shell
tered hollow, Lucy saw the white
yleam Of the tent and drew up shortly
reside It.
Even In the tenseness OF the moment
Chester had a gasp for Lucy and the
she had come in. Then
III was forgotten as Doctor Leonard
helped him move Steve carefully out
where the lights Of the roadster could
lelp the doctor In his examination. "A
ew tense seconds passed and then he
traightened. r
4Uu nc rOAnt 0hAbASEAf lhAlf |
tut am thankful to say not seriously.
sow,. this young lady can drive you
Iome. while Chester and walk be-
ind. The going win be as slow as
he can make It that the Jar may be
8 little as possible
Chester looked worried do you
/ bettsr-Lucy being
My a woman"
Doctor Leonard threw him an odd
JOk. but made no reply, and presently
he little procession was on it's way.
The following morning Lucy. who
ad done considerable thinking during
he tedious homeward drive, sat down
I her desk and penned a little note
, Chester, which ran as follows:
my dear Chester. have been think
~ for some time now that, II you
,arried me. you'd be making yourself
liserable for the rest Of your life.
nd now am sure Of it. Incidentally,
" dear boy. this only woman bust
pss went out with hoop skirts