The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-10
CHAPTER XI-COntinued

ice," Jim continued. You'll find
1t easily. I left the door open and
there's light. Call doctor. The
nearest one. Ask information.
"Okay, buddy" The boy released
the brake with jerk and the girl,
leaning out of the window for an in
terested view of the disaster, fell
back into the seat.
Jim waited for help to come, 60
ing at intervals to look at Dolly,
Wiping the blood from the wound
above her temple, speaking to her
gently, watching with pity and a
mounting feeling of alarm her still
face, white under the rouge, bend
ing to hear her faint breathing.
The coupe returned after what
seemed to Jim an eternity of wait
ing. The boy got out; the girl fol-
lowed. Jim was scarcely aware Of
her.
Did you get doctor?" he asked
The boy.
The state troopers are on their
way and an ambulance from the
hospital at ChestertoWn."
The boy was obviously proud of
his efficiency. The girls eyes were
Two round disks in a round white
face. Jim swore grimly under his
breath. He didn't want the police
mixing into this-not, at any rate,
until he had talked to Tommy, until
he had gotten in touch with Mr..
Vaughn.
why didn't you call out the ma
cineS?" he asked caustically.
The girl giggled in nervous appre-
citation.
Shut up, Gladys" the boy said
trritably. II ought to have taken
you home. You told me to ask In
formation" he said to Jim. II told
her it was a pretty bad accident
and she 'phoned the police"
''All right. Thanks" Jim said
briefly, and realizing that they in
tended to see the excitement
through, he added. Have a ciga-
Tette.'
Another eternity of waiting
passed, an eternity made more dis
NAL than the preceding one by the
boys eager questions about the ac-
Cident, the girls Identification of
Dolly, her awed and nervous COM
ments, Jim's growing anxiety for
Dolly, the fact that Tommy did not
appear. He wished he had gone
for his own car and taken Dolly
to the village. That might have
been dangerous, though. He had no
idea how badly she was hurt. He'd
have to get in touch with Mr..
Vaughn. Where was Tommy?
The police car finally arrived,
conveying the ambulance from the
hospital at Chestertown.
Evening, Sergeant McCready,"
the boy in the checked cap greeted
the trooper with staggering famili,
arity. You made pretty good
time"
e.. "Good-evening," the tall young
man in the uniform returned,
scarcely glancing at the boy
who's hurt?" he asked address.
ing Jim.
She's in the car" Jim led the
way. Sergeant McCready followed
accompanied by his companion, q
stocky older man. The ambulance
driver and an inferno came up bear.
ing a stretcher. The boy and the
girl with the round white face
pressed forward.
Jim watched the inferno with
strained intensity as he bent over
Dolly. felt her pulse, examined the
cut above her temple.
rs she badly hurt?" He asked
' the question in a low shaken voice.
Il can't tell without an examina-
ton the inferno said.
Jim moved forward to help the
interne place Dolly on the stretcher.
Lifting her gently, his throat felt
tight.
You can give me the name OF
her family, suppose" the inferno
said.
Jim supplied the information. She
looked SO small and so still on the
stretcher. He felt as though he had
deserted her when the ambulance
bore her away.
Sergeant McCready turned to
Jim.
Does this car belong to your"
he asked
No" Jim replied.
who does it belong to-"
1T belongs to Miss Cecily
Vaughn, Officer. T. H. Vaughn
'MeadoWbrook.'
Il thought So" the Sergeants
companion cut in. I've seen this
Car plenty of times on the read
Does Miss Vaughn know you
were driving her carr"
The question startled Jim. The
sergeant assumed with such caSua
certainty that he was responsible
for the accident. 1t had not occurred
to him that he might be suspected
Il was not driving the car" he
said evenly.
Who was?"
Jim heFitated for a moment
Then-'I don't know" he said.