Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-23

come. It was the most uncongenial
threeSome, and yet I actually didn't
dare leave Wells and Madge alone,
with her in her present mood.
X X X x
HALF-PAST SEVEN. Still pouring,
l. and no Will.
Suddenly we heard footsteps on the
floor. There was a sharp rap at the
door. Wells went to open it, and we
heard a strange voice, mans.
Have you got a telephone that's
working here? Or car of any kind?"
and 1 went to the door. There was a
young fellow, drenched to the skin, and
with the most scared, frantic, looking
face I've ever seen. Wells was about
to close the door when / interrupted:
whats the trouble?"
my wife's having a baby" he said,
in a husky voice, land I'm after a
doctor DR.. Hessey said he'd come out
from Verblen, but all the telephones
out our way are off. started off in
the car and the gas tank sprang a
leak back ways on the wood road and
I can't run another foot. What's the
next nearest houSe?"
"Tollheimers," I said, "but they're
all away in their car; they drove past
here this morning. And it's two miles
to Browns. Is it your wifes first
baby?"
But 1 needn't have asked. The
sheer terror on his face would have
told anybody it was. And his wife was
on the old Harley farm, five miles
away. Will might be along any minute
in the car, but it might be hours before
he came-it would take two hours to
drive into Verblen, anyway, two more
hours back with the doctor, even If
there wasn't a minutes delay-I felt
myself sharing the terror in the young
husbands face. There was just a
young girl out there with his wife-no
wonder he was scared!
I turned frantically to Wells.
We've got to get doctor" I said
What can We do?"
But before Wells could answer,
Madge said:
Can we make that old wreck of a
divver in the shed run?"
81 don't know" I gasped. "And I
don't know of doctor nearer than
Verblen-"
Madge turned sharply to Wells.
See if you can get that old f1ivver
started" she ordered. dot, where did
you put that little black bag of mine?"
For a dazed second wondered what
on earth Madge wanted of the little
black bag she'd insisted on bringing.
Why stop for bag when you've got to
get doctor? Then suddenly the truth
fared into my mind. Madge was a
doctor.
Wells had seemed to realize that he
was the only man in the crowd-the
poor scared young husband didn't
count.
Nov don't let's lose our heads" he
said, in his masterful way. And to the
young man, THE thing to do Is for you
to beat it right on to the next house
that old flivver won't run and"
How do you know it won't?" Madge
interrupted.
Wells glanced at her with the irri-
tated air of a man who is interrupted
while he's being masterful.
For one thing, there's no gasoline
In it, he said patiently.
There's gas in the tank of the stove,
isn't there?" Madge demanded.
nodded.
"The tires are all fat" said Wells.
"Ride 'em fat" said Madge.
She snatched up Wills awful sweater,
stuck an old hat of his on her head, and
grabbed her black kit.
Come along" she ordered.
The young husband followed us blind
" through the cottage, out the back
door, into the dark shed.
Wells climbed up and looked into the
wreck of an old flivver.
There, told YOU" he said tri-
umphantly. There isn't even a self
starter" Madge slipped on the wet
shed floor, and Wells put his arm
around her to steady her, a masculine,
protective gesture. Madge shook 1t of.
Get the gas in the tank, quick" she
said.
WITH shaking hands, the young hus-
w band and / emptied the kitchen
stove tank, poured the gasoline into the
f1ivver.
Crank the car" said Madge to Wells.
Wells started to obey the order auto
matically, 1t was so sharp and author1-
tative. He gave the crank two or three
turns. Then
II told you this car wouldn't run" he
said. And, if you're wise"
But Madge didn't even hear him.
She brushed him aside.
Give me that crank" she said.
Wells Just stood looking on as Madge
cranked the car. OF course, cranklng
a flivver is more knack than matter
of strength. I was thinking of that
poor young wife away up in the Harley
farm and I could hear my own heart
humping while waited. Madge turned
the crank once more. The engine gave
a couple of humping sounds and then
actually started. A cough-a few back
fires, but it ran!
0Csot wv hoo9" Madpe asked. "All