Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-12-07
Billy's Snowy
Car
By cLARISSA MACKIE

TT WAS at Mrs. Granvllle's tea that
Ann Fordyce first met Billy Agnew.
Nina Granville presented a grave-eyed
young man with a stern, handsome
face. Agnew looked at the famous
Miss Fordyce without curiosity, as II
all her millions mattered nothing, al
though to lovely Ann the name of
Agnew suggested dim recollection OF
a financial crash and broken fortunes.
II saw you yesterday, Billy" de-
clared Mrs. Granville as she gave him
cupful Of tea.
He looked vaguely at her. 81 was
in so many places yesterday" he apol-
ogized.
Polly Granville laughed. "This was
at Forty-fifth and Broadway, and po-
liceman was handing you little slip
you were In your carp
"Oh, l remember" grlnned Billy
Agnew.
zone usually remembers such
things" smiled Ann.
He looked at her casually; then his
eyes seemed dazzled.
another idler," thought Ann scorn.
fully: probably worried to death over
his debts-raclng around In snowy
car and"
Some one called Ann out Of her
reverie, another brought her more ten
and cakes, and others crowded out
Billy Agnew, who presently vanished
altogether.
"Bllly had to go-has lot of en-
gagements, but he kept his promise
Of coming to my tea," said Polly Gran
Vile to Ann when the two were alone.
"Is 1t privilege to have him AT
ones teasT asked Ann lightly, though
she was interested in the grave young
man.
~ consider It an honor" said Polly
earnestly, and Ann would not question
her further.
The next day she lunched at the
Jivrington, and because her own car
had broken down she sent for taxi
cab. One of the hotels fleet of hand
some dark blue cars awaited her. AS
1t rolled up Park avenue toward home
she happened to glimpse at the profile
Of the driver.
1t was Billy Agnewl
This was his carl taxlcab driv-
err and he had appeared at Polly
Granville's tea-was 1t one Of POlly's
FRANKS? But so many people had rec
ognlzed him, and they appeared to
like him. He was llkable, too.
When they stopped at Mrs. Gran
vllle's house the driver stepped down
and opened the door. Ann alighted
and looked the man full in the face,
and 1t was Agnew, though his face
was expressionless, his eyes vague and
unseeing.
She did not offer to pay him. She
merely smiled and said sweetly
"Thank you so much, Nj. Agnew P'
"And so he drove you home, Ann
FOrdyce, daughter of a millionaire,
unused Polly.
Don't be melodramatlc, chided
Ann, II am wondering why the man
does drive a taxi--it must be embar-
RAISING for his friends"
"Pshnwl Ann, don't you know that
he does It because he needs the
money? When his father was ruined,
and died suddenly, do you know that
the Limousine was the only thing left
after everything else was sold? Billy
Is an only son, his mother Is dead,
his cousins were frantic because he
might disgrace them, but he's true
blood-he's studying nights to finish
his law course"
II was after midnight when Polly
was awakened from sleep by the sight
OF her guest, clad In n scarlet silk
klmOno, her dark eyes tragic with ex.
element.
"What is the matterf Burglarsf'
demanded Mrs. Granville.
"COme into my room, please" re-
questcd Ann, and when they were
there, sitting before the fire, the rich
Miss Fordyce faced her dearest friend.
"Tell me, Polly, is Billy Agnew the
son of that Agnew who was interested
in my fathers minesT
Eyes" said Polly bluntly.
"Was 1t something my father did
that ruined John AgnewT
81 don't think your father knew
he was sick-and you were in Europe
with him. But your Uncle Martin,
who also owned the mines, crowded
out Mr.. Agnew-I don't understand
the details, but II was whispered that
your Uncle Martin was to blame"
"And Uncle Martin Is dead-and
there is no one left save me-" said
Ann slowly.
81 was sure you didn't know" said
Polly softly, land remember, Billy Is
a good scout, and so proud he won't
take n cent from you'll"
Polly was right. All the great law.
yers and judges argued with Billy Ag.
new to give up his taxicab and take
the money that Ann wanted to restore
"A half OF what she possessed, which
was more than was due, but he was
obdurate. "Walt until finish a home,
than I'll talk about It,"
Two years afterward Billy Agnew
became part Of great law firm, built
a pretty bungalow In the suburbs, and
put the taxi" In tiny garage built
with his own hands. After that he
called on Ann FOrdyce, who happened
to be visiting Mrs. Granville again. ~
am ready" said Mr.. Agnew, ito talk
business. have a house, profess
slon-now, | want wife, too-and
Ann, can't wait any longer for you y
"Neither-nether c-can /" STAN.
mered the rich Miss Fordyce. And
nobody marveled when they spent
their honeymoon touring in the taxi
/ cab