The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1926-05-29
The Lady and the
Limousine
tcopyrIght.l
By cLARIssA MAcKIE

the catastrophe The Braitlings, pre-
pared for the event. had Immediately
disappeared. using the ancient fiivver
that had been their first car-before
success had .lred them to destruc-
ton. Tbs large garage contained
half dozen other cars--all handsome
and gilttering; these were left behind,
but the fiivver had carried on the
Braitlings. together with clothing ana
jewels, and two pet dogs.
The big house was full or the trag-
edy of broken home Unpaid serv-
ants filing claims and poor Peggy
down In the front hall sitting on her
trunk with her bag beside her ana
FIVE 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
Peggy's trunk, which she sent home
collect"
81 could-it has been done and
can do it" she said to herself I'll
just walk home My bag Is light-the
weather cool, and I'll drop q card to
mother SO that she will not worry
| 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 sturdily on.
Peggy ate her supper among the
trees under a cIoudlng sky, and she
had barely started to resume her
walk when the first raindrop fell. She
turned hastily into an old w0od-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 IL
as desirable shelter during the rain
and made her way In.
Rain pounded on the roof and the
trees thrashed in the heavy wind that
was rising.
When 1t grew dark Peggy pressed
a button and the interior was softly
Illuminated. "This is like a fairy
story" she laughed. She saw that
the car was richly upholstered I'm
sapphire blue velvet; the fittings were
silver. Blue leather cases and pock-
cts promised further Injuries. A
newspaper was tossed on the seat be-
side her. Peggy pulled down all the
silken shades at the windows and
wished miserabIy for something to
eat. It 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 Hat
hamper, perfectly equipped, gave up
a modest amount Of food-a dozen
sandwiches, fruit and vacuum bottle
Of hot coffee.
Poor, famished Peggy ate greedily.
"A mans lunch" yawned Peggy "a
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
lullaby around her snug retreat.
Daylight came. and with 1t two men.
who lifted and pulled, assisted by a
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
big, pleasant voice startled her.
"well. my lad, what are you doing
hereT
Miss Wright slipped into her top
coat and brushed back her rumpIed
hair. In a few words she explained
the predicamsnt, 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. ana
heard his explanation Of how he was
giving his mother a new Limousine.
and was driving the car home himself.
road and a 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 n
garage. BY the time he discovered
one the storm was raging and, MS ne
had pushed the Limousine into the
bushes before he left II, 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.
Camden? Why, live In Philadel-
phia.r exclaimed Peggy. then she
blushed with embarrassment.
IF you don't mind waiting for re-
pairs, 1t will be lark for you to ride
part of the way tempted Mr.. Pea
body. SAY. as far as Camden" They
argued 1t out at the breakfast table
In the hotel, and, later, Peggy Wright
rode in affiuent comfort In the velvet
lined car. Before the car reached
Camden she was sitting beside Thom-
rs on the front seat and they were
chatting like old friends.
aYour mother win be delighted with
this car" said Peggy as they parted.
"She In mot to have this particular
one after all" declared Mr.. Peabody.
IT win get another one for her, but
this one I'll save for my wffe-when
/ ret one" There was nm odd. shy
look In Thomas Peabody's eyes, ana
- lnrkna ~ ho~4 - n~~- - -