New Britain herald., 1930-07-05
Time Out to Change Tire Brings the Fear That the Delay May Upset Their Plans of Reach
 ing Noel First

ing Noel First.
 Harry Underwood kept his word. We "traveled" from the moment we saw Philip Eeritzen's car keep straight ahead 10 the double boule- yard instead 0 turning ahead of us into the road leading 10 the north shore of Long Island Traffic was not very heavy after we made the turn from the bridge. and Mr, Un- derwood went through it with a magnificent disregard of signals, po- Hcemen aand other cars, which made me shiyer for the first few min utes Of our journey. Then Dicky, who had been busying himself with pillows and blankets slipped a com polling arm around me and drew my head against his shoulder.
 Now settle yourself comfortably. sweetheart" he said as he pulled the blankets around me. Feet on the heater? That's right. Now shut your eyes and go 10 sleep. That's the only way you can keep from hay- ing mysteries over the way this bird -S u " lI.-' l EN bfNL d-AN ctAOltl tc see him lift this boat and soar right over q cops head. But you can bank on one thlng-his eyeslght is good and hell neither hit anybody nor get pinched. III promise you that"
 4 Tire Gone
 Thanks for the beet greens Mr, Underwood dravled without turning his head. But I can get along without any back-seat driving, fav- orable or otherwise. for the next hundred miles, Lady Fair. I assure you I will not harm one hair Of your Titan locks. and the only chance voull have Of having your slumber disturbed is contingent upon the tires. If one goes the Dicky-bird will have 10 flop out of the cage. Other wise he can tuck his head under his wing and snooze until We reach the farm"
 Big boy, ef yoh don use yoh mouf less an yoh eyes moh we won't reach no fahm dis night" Dicky chuckled as his friend gave a dis gusted snort, but neither man said anything more, and it was but a few minutes before I vas sound asleep against DicKy's shoulder. almost as comfortable as if I were in my bed at home
 ] was so tired that did not waken until I was conscious of Dicky stir ring and lifting my head tenderly from his shoulder,
 Sorry 10 disturb you, dearest" he said, but there's a tire gone, and I'll have to help old Harry"
 I sat up with a jerk. my drowsi- ness banished by the rushing realiza- ton of what delay might mean to our errand.
 Oh. hurry" I breathed. throwing aside the blankets. "Is there any thing I can do-hand you things"
 I should have known better than to ask the question, for the wonder ful lover-Hke tenderness which Dicky lad given me ever since the drive began was shattered in an in- stant
 Yes" he said crisply, with q dis gusted intonation which brought the blood to my face there is. Sit still back here and keep your mouth shut. Here, tuck those blankets in. What do you want to do. get chill and pneumonia2"
 With the words he opened the door Of the car and sprang 10 the ground. Harry Underwood was all ready at work with a jack. and the opening door brought to my ears the steady stream Of profanity with which he was accompanying his la bors. It was low-toned, however and the slam which Dicky gave the door effectually shut out the objur- cations.
 1 knew that both men were work ing at top speed and that in both their minds, as in mine. was the tense query Would this delay give Philip Eeritzen the opportunity to reach the farmhouse if not before We did at least before We had the chance to spirit Noel away" Harry Under woods car is powerful, but it has not the costly engine which my em- ployer's boasts. And while both Mir Underwood skilful driving and his knowledge of the wonderful, almost deserted Middle Island road, gave him an advantage over the other car, It vas not so great 8 one that this delay might not spell he differ ence between success and failure to our plans.
 DiCky RapS Again
 look through both windows told ne that We were somewhere on the Middle Island road, well past Smith town, but just where I could not tell because Of the darkness, although in daylight I know almost every inch of the road between the farm house and New York. 4 glance al the ilumi- mated dial Of my watch told me that we had made fairly good time if we were near the western end Of the road, and remarkable progress if we were nearing the turn leading 10 Riyerhead. But I determined 10 ask no questions until I was sure Of Dicky's mood
 My watch tiched off the intetmin- able seconds Of wairlng. but showed me that it vas really an incredibly short time before the change of tires was accomplished. Knowing how easily Dicky is irrita'Ad when under a nervous tension such as We all were experiencing. I pretended 10 be asleep when he entered the car. And then I received another lessen in the little ways Of exasperated masculin- ity.
 For the love Of LulU.' Dicky growled as he settled into the seat beside me. Can you beat this. Harry? Sound asleep at the switch, Madge, wake up. Don't you know 40 cars might have crashed into us While we were working over that fire ltlr- tail -lirht is.-,t I.nnI.i-..- :.