The broad ax., 1926-09-11
The Dinner for
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS

they made their way out with the
thTong. First, because 1t always an
noyed Alice when the man she was
SO utterly different from herself. And
secondly, George had come along to
the matinee In his business car, q
small delivery wagon, George being q
travelling salesman Which meant that
Alice would drive back to Long island
in the front seat of the car-the in
side was filed with Georges samples
"a thing which she detested. especial
ly when she was all dolled up In her
new white fur and powder blue hat.
Dear, I don't see why you always
make such fuss about the car.
would have to 60 out to Long island
with 1t and come in again by train and
that's a deuce Of a bother-just to
come In to the theater And besides
If you took any interest In driving at
all-you could be learning right now"
"And I've told you a thousand
times that I haven't the slightest de-
sire to drive"
To make matters worse the self
starter refused to do its duty. Being
In just the slightest temper himself. he
gave the crank handle forceful jerk
and a second later was holding his
wrist while his face paled.
George might have made another
attempt but for a girl who had
watched the whole scene and who
snranu forward IN assist
'Iet me crank her." she said
swiftly. please, I'm quite used to It.
Here, let me see your wrist-nasty
wrench, isn't it7' Quick as a flash,
the strange girl had whipped out
great handkerchief and bound the
wrist firmly.
George smiled into the girls eyes.
You're a peach" he said fervently.
II don't know what I'm to do about
driving. / hardly dare risk this city
traffic with this stupid ache In my
arm"
"Tm at your disposal II you need
me. I've been bit fed up without any
thing to drive since my boss Is away
on his vacation. I'm like a fish on
Broadway without my hands on a
wheel"
Are you quite sure you're not say
ing this just to help a fellow outY
George searched her face, but she as
sured him 1t would be a great Joy to
drive him to Long island.
After informal introductions all
round George turned to Alice.
Would you rather drive back with
Miss Weller and let me 60 by train.
or
I'D far rather go by train-if you
don't mind" said Alice, and dragging
her feminine garments, In the way Of
white fox, about her slender neck she
made off for the railroad station. She
first, however, made certain that the
fine diamond ring on Miss Weller's
finger indicated that she had already
found the man of her choice.
"This is the first time I've ever
been driven In my own car. By jove,
1t seems funny-but rather a nice
change" George said as he watched
the girl ewing neatly In and out Of
the vast line of traffic. 81 don't know
what I can do for the next week Or
two while this wrists mendlng. I've
got to drive my car and / can't very
well do it. Is there a chance that you
would be free for a while yetY
Delighted. But win the little lady
not object?"
Cant help 1t IL she does-business
Is business and I am not In q position
to lose customers-at this stage Of
the game. What about your fiance."
tom doesn't interfere In anything
want to do. He spouts to me about
the moon and all I'm thinking about
at those moments Is how long Ii would
take to get there In a sixty-mile-an-
hour car. Tom doesn't know a mag
neto from steering wheel
Neither does Alice" laughed George
and edged just the least bit closer to
the firm arm that guided his car.
"What about a cup of tear
Far rather have coffee" laughed
Miss Weller and drew up ut the next
tiny tea room that dotted the road
way.
I'VE have spent just one hour and
half having coffee" said Miss Weller
as they emerged to take up the trail.
"And good thing, too-it's done
my wrist world OF good. / wouldn't
mind stopping at another q few miles
on" Again he turned frankly toward
her. Business IL going to be a grand
and glorious pleasure while you drive
for me. "IIl bet I'll sell more than
have during the past ten months.
say" he burst out suddenly, what are
we going to do about thisY
about whatf' she asked, and her
heart gave q great thump.
"You know very well what" he said
tenderly, and also a bit desperately.
''Yeu and / are engaged to the wrong
ones. Do you think there's a chance
In the world that IL we arrange a lit
tie dinner for four that your Tom and
my Alice would forget us and take to
each other7 From what you've said
Of Tom I fancy he's exactly the type
Of man to make Alice supremely
happy"
II like that. What about meT
'Tm the type to do that, and what's
more ten Alices and fifteen Toms
aren't going to keep me from doing f."
Miss Weller very nearly swerved
into the ditch. but being of a decided