The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-21
Chapter i, Continued


After that he polished all of the
windows Of the ear-gave a hssty
twirl at wiping the headlights, and
then backed to the air where he
checked the tires very carefully.
He left the car, then. and went
to attend to other customers. keep
ing an eye open for the young man
who would presently leave the res
taurant and pay his bill.
That bin was a stable amount
almost IS for gasoline and oil
and It pleased the station attend
ant very much.
II every car that pulled into his
place would use so much gas and
oil, a raise for the station attend
ant would certainly be forthcom-
ing. and that right soon.
Sees License
From where she sat Janet could
see the car license-it was an In
diana license.
That car would probably go
right straight through to Indiana
polls. She had heard the driver
tell the oil station attendant that
he intended to drive all night.
A sudden impulse was upon the
girl. II she watched her chance
she could be just one of the sway
ing shadows of the summer night
as she stole over to the car.
No one need see her board the
car.
The oil station attendant, right
now, was busy with another car
under the oil pump.
She could probably evade his
attention If she acted quickly.
In a matter of Just minute
or two she could be hidden safely
away on the floor in front of the
back seat of that car and no one
would be the wiser
Heart Pounds
Janet's heart pounded madly at
the thought. But what If the driver
of the car found her there?
Well-what If he did She hadn't
committed any crime.
The very worst he could do would
be to say, Get out" But there
was more than a chance that he
would not notice his stowaway
passenger.
With Janet to think was to act.
She caught up her suitcase and
made her way across the street,
circling wide so that she would not
be observed.
Fate was with her.
She reached the car, opened the
door away from the oil station,
deposited her suitcase on the floor
and crept in by the side Of it, clos
ing the door after her stealthily
but securely.
She was barely in time. The
young man who owned the car was
coming out of the restaurant.
He opened his billfold as he came
up to the attendant. How much ?"
-Four dollars and sixty-two
cents" the oil station attendant
told him, making change.
That was a good steak" the
customer said.
Thanks for the tip. Car o. X. ?"
Tires set, and everything, sir.
Have a good trip and hurry back"
Customer Laughs
20. X" the customer laughed
and went over to his car.
Janet scarcely breathed as he
circled the car. He was looking at
the tires she supposed.
He came to .he door by the wheel,
opened it and put his big body into
the drivers seat.
She could see the top of his head.
The driver of her midnight car
was big, broad shouldered and ath-
letic. His blond hair was clipped
short, crisp waves.
He took off his hat and tossed
It on the seat beside him.
He gruntled little as he slid
the seat back, as a well contented
man who is getting ready for hard
work, will do.
Was Glad
Janet was glad that he reached
over to switch on the key of his
radio as he started the car.
She had tried to be just as quiet
as she could be, but she was very
afraid that he would hear her ex-
cited breathing.
Then, too, her feet, doubled up
beneath her, hurt.
Every nerve of her body was on
tension and she felt a thrill Of relief
when her driver started the radio
and then, finally, got his car into
motion.
Soon they were speeding along
the straight smooth highway.
The man let the car out to q
swift pace. 1t seemed to Janet,
crouching behind him, that they
must be fairly flying.
She was not accustomed to rid
ing in a car and could not form
an accurate estimate Of how quick
" they covered the ground.
Janet Slept
Perhaps Janet slept. How long
abe did not know. She awakened
with a start.
The manufacturer Of a CONVEX
tible coupe probably never intend
ed that anyone should be particu-
- NJ Hiqh-Speed