The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-01-27
The Fortunate
Accident
By JANE OSBORN
(Copyright.)

AVA drove home from the Office that
Saturday afternoon. For Martha, who
had been driving her little car only
six months, 1t was quite necessary to
concentrate all attention on the road
ahead and the gears before her. But
Martha was thinking of Samuel Stew
ems. Samuel Stevens was the young
est of the young lawyers who frequent
ed the old law offices at which Martha
was employed as stenographer. Sam
uel had rambling sort of gait and no
knack at dressing. Not q very favor
able presence for a lawyer, but with
the rare ability that indicates success.
That morning Samuel had some
what falteringly asked Martha to go
to an important football game that
afternoon, and with her dainty head
held rather high Martha had declined
the invitation. Samuel, looking de-
cidedly hurt and embarrassed, had
mumbled out something to the effect
that he asked her only because he
happened to have the tickets and it
seemed a shame to waste them.
Martha felt species Of annoyance
at this rather ungallant speech. Also
she felt annoyance with herself for
having declined the invitation so
heartlessly. Driving home, as she
saw the cars bearing toward her car
rying Overcoated men and fur-clad
women obviously going to the great
game, she felt a quick eagerness to be
one of them. She saw again the con-
fused, hurt expression on SamuePs
plain face. But she did not see ap-
preaching behind her on the car track
to the left the fast line trolley" Her
mirror reflected the trolley well
enough but Molly was too preoccupied
with thoughts of Samuel to look at
that important little reflector. Then
suddenly she did see ahead of her a
break In the pavement. A sharp turn
to the left occurred to her as the best
way out of her difficulty and as she
turned she CHANGED to look at the
mirror, and there bearing heavily and
rapidly upon her at the back was the
dark form Of the fast-line trolley.
Martha put on her brake quickly,
felt sickening jolt, heard breaking
glass and grating metal and then shut
her eyes and waited. When she
opened them In a second the peril
seemed to have passed but she trem-
bled on the verge of fainting and
dared not slip from her seat.
II couldn't stop on ten-cent piece"
the motorman told her. what the
blazes did you think I was going to
doY
II didn't expect you to do anything"
Martha said with tears in her eyes.
But I'm very much obliged to you
for doing what you did" Meanwhile
strong-armed men were showing and
lifting her little car away from the
front of the trolley. "Window's brok-
en- and she's kind Of stove ill.," re-
marked one man with a grin, "but
guess she'll go. FOOLS luck-ain't
lit" And the conductor none too cour-
teously was asking Martha to produce
her license.
Then Martha felt a strong, steady
hand upon her arm. Excuse me-"
said clear voice beside her, "but I
happen to be this lady's lawyer"
Martha looked and saw the calm,
strong face of Samuel Stevens. He
seated her again at the wheel, took
the number Of the trolley car and in
parting shook hands with the motor
man. He had been going home on
the trolley when the accident oc-
curred-not caring to go to the game
without her.
Passengers piled back into the troll
ley which was soon rolling rapidly
on. Then Martha pressed forward
her own light car and breathed a sigh
of deep relief to know that Samuel
was at her side.
81 saw 1t ALL" said he, land have
the names of witnesses. The trolley
wasn't even scratched but there's
about a hundred dollars worth Of
damage all told to your car. Fault
of the county. They'll settle. I'll at
tend to that. Of course you ought not
II know it." said Martha, "but I
wasn't thinking-that is, I wasn't
thinking of the road or anything. I
was just thinking of you" Then sud-
denly Martha felt very weak and ex-
hausted. She drew her car to the
right out of traffic and stopped 81
can't drive any more just now," she
said, and then she felt the enormous
satisfaction Of resting her head
against Samuel's shoulder and she'd
ding tears on his rough coat-while
without the slightest hesitation or
embarrassment Samuel's strong arm
encircled her. Don't cry, Martha
DEAR he was saying. you've been
so good to me-" said Martha, land I
was so horrid."
"I've only done what any man would
have done for-for any woman" said
Samuel. But l wish I could have
done a lot more. Because I love you.
1 ought not to tell you, perhaps, but
God knows how hard 1t is not to-"
Martha, forgetting that it was still
broad daylight and that they were
on a busy highway, bent over toward
Samuel, turned his face to her with
her hands and kissed him. Samuel,
dearest, l love you, love you, love
you"
&a1.J