THE SCARLET CARBYRICHARD HARDING DAVISTONED STONECONTENTS  THE JAILBREAKERS  THE TRESPASSERS  THE KIDNAPPERSTHE SCARLET CARITHE JAILBREAKERSFor a long time it had been arranged they all should go to the Harvardand Yale game in Winthrops car  It was perfectly well understoodEven Peabody who pictured himself and Miss Forbes in the back of thecar with her brother and Winthrop in front condescended to approveIt was necessary to invite Peabody because it was his great goodfortune to be engaged to Miss Forbes  Her brother Sam had beeninvited not only because he could act as chaperon for his sister butbecause since they were at St Pauls Winthrop and he either asparticipants or spectators had never missed going together to theYaleHarvard game  And Beatrice Forbes herself had been invitedbecause she was herselfWhen at nine oclock on the morning of the game Winthrop stopped thecar in front of her door he was in love with all the world  In theNovember air there was a sting like frostbitten cider in the skythere was a brilliant beautiful sun in the wind was the tinglingtouch of three icechilled rivers  And in the big house facing CentralPark outside of which his prancing steed of brass and scarlet chuggedand protested and trembled with impatience was the most wonderful girlin all the world  It was true she was engaged to be married and notto him  But she was not yet married  And today it would be hisprivilege to carry her through the State of New York and the State ofConnecticut and he would snatch glimpses of her profile rising fromthe rough fur collar of her windblown hair of the long lovelylashes under the gray veilShall be together breathe and ride so one day more am I deifiedwhispered the young man in the Scarlet Car who knows but the worldmay end tonightAs he waited at the curb other great touringcars of every speed andshape in the mad race for the Boston Post Road and the town of NewHaven swept up Fifth Avenue  Some rolled and puffed like tugboats ina heavy seaway others glided by noiseless and proud as private yachtsBut each flew the colors of blue or crimsonWinthrops car because her brother had gone to one college and he hadplayed right end for the other was draped impartially  And so everyother car mocked or cheered it and in one a bareheaded youth stoodup and shouted to his fellows  Look theres Billy Winthrop  Threetimes three for old Billy Winthrop  And they lashed the air withflags and sent his name echoing over Central ParkWinthrop grinned in embarrassment and waved his hand  A bicycle copand Fred the chauffeur were equally impressedWas they the Harvoids sir asked FredThey was said WinthropHer brother Sam came down the steps carrying sweaters and steamerrugsBut he wore no holiday countenanceWhat do you think he demanded indignantly  Ernest Peabodys insidemaking trouble  His sister has a Pullman on one of the special trainsand he wants Beatrice to go with herIn spite of his furs the young man in the car turned quite cold  Notwith us he gaspedMiss Forbes appeared at the house door followed by Ernest Peabody  Hewore an expression of disturbed dignity she one of distressedamusement  That she also wore her automobile coat caused the heart ofWinthrop to leap hopefullyWinthrop said Peabody I am in rather an embarrassing position  Mysister Mrs Taylor Holbrookehe spoke the name as though he wereannouncing it at the door of a drawingroomdesires Miss Forbes to gowith her  She feels accidents are apt to occur with motor carsandthere are no other ladies in your partyand the crowdsWinthrop carefully avoided looking at Miss Forbes  I should be verysorry he murmuredErnest said Miss Forbes I explained it was impossible for me to gowith your sister  We would be extremely rude to Mr Winthrop  How doyou wish us to sit she askedShe mounted to the rear seat and made room opposite her for PeabodyDo I understand Beatrice began Peabody in a tone that instantlymade every one extremely uncomfortable that I am to tell my sisteryou are not comingErnest begged Miss ForbesWinthrop bent hastily over the oil valves   He read the speedometerwhich was as usual out of order with fascinated interestErnest pleaded Miss ForbesMr Winthrop and Sam planned this trip for us a long time agoto giveus a little pleasureThen said Peabody in a hollow voice you have decidedErnest cried Miss Forbes dont look at me as though you meant tohurl the curse of Rome  I have  Jump in  PleaseI will bid you goodby said Peabody I have only just time to catchour trainMiss Forbes rose and moved to the door of the carI had better not go with any one she said in a low voiceYou will go with me commanded her brother  Come on ErnestThank you no replied Peabody  I have promised my sisterAll right then exclaimed Sam briskly see you at the gameSection H  Dont forget  Let her out BillyWith a troubled countenance Winthrop bent forward and clasped theclutchBetter come Peabody he saidI thank you no repeated Peabody  I must go with my sisterAs the car glided forward Brother Sam sighed heavilyMy but hes got a mean disposition he said  He has quite spoiledMY dayHe chuckled wickedly but Winthrop pretended not to hear and hissister maintained an expression of utter dejectionBut to maintain an expression of utter dejection is very difficult whenthe sun is shining when you are flying at the rate of forty miles anhour and when in the cars you pass foolish youths wave Yale flags atyou and take  advantage of the day to cry  Three cheers for the girlin the blue hatAnd to entirely remove the last trace of the gloom that Peabody hadforced upon them it was necessary only for a tire to burst  Of coursefor this effort the tire chose the coldest and most