Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1914 — CARTON'S FIRST FARE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CARTON'S FIRST FARE

By JAMES ANDERSON

For the third time a coachman called on Carton to move along that

others might drive up to the curb tod with a mattered expression of disgust at the length of time it took Fred Howell to select a cigar Hugh Carton ran his automobile across the street and fell to line behind two other cars drawn up beside the square. He did not notice that the others 'belonged to a sightseeing company until a musical voice inquired

Carton looked down into the face of an exceedingly pretty girl and flashed a glance at the cars ahead. In an instant he comprehended the situation. “Dollar an hour,” he said gruffly, touching his leather cap with what he congratulated himself was a good Imitation of'a chauffeur’s salute. “I shall want you about three hours,” she said simply, and waited while he sprang down and opened the door in the back of the tonneau. In another moment they were speeding up the street. “Turn down the next street to 274,” she ordered, and obediently Carton drew up. “I want to send my mother out for a drive,” she Baid sweetly. “Give her a good view of the city and keep the rest for yourself.” • She ran up the steps, while Carton stared blankly at the five-dollar hill she had thrust Into his hand. A few moments later down the steps came one of the most eccentric figures he had ever seen. Her clothes bore the stamp of-seasons gone before.

She fixed herself comfortably to the seat, and with a querulous “Don’t go *too fast, young man,” they started. It was torture to Hugh to skim through- the residential district with this old figure to the tonneau, and more than one surprised glance followed the automobile and the oddly assorted pair. Even the hope of being able to wto the old lady’s favor vanished when after several attemp’ts to engage her in conversation she leaned forward and in her high-pitched voice said: “It's no use to talk to me young man; I’m deaf and I wish you would not turn round; you make me nervous; yon can’t see where you are going.” He heaved a sigh of relief when at last he deposited her before her own door and was free to escape. It was late when he entered the Howells’ drawing-room that evening. The butler was just announcing dinner and there was barely time to make hurried greeting to hiß hostess and offer his arm to hie companion for the dinner. Before each plate on the long table stood a characteristic favor and the laughter was long and loud when he picked up the tiny silver and gilt cigarette holder fashioned in the form

of an automobile that stood at hifc plate. The laughter became a shriek when on lifting the lid he discovered a five-dollar bill in stage money. As bravely as he could, he faced the storm of laughter and jeering remarks which followed, but not until he caught sight of Howell at the other end of the table, fairly convulsed with mirth, did he discover the secret of bis undoing, for beside the joker, red and unsmiling, was his fare of the morning. When they had all returned to the drawing-room balm was poured upon his wounded feelings, for the girl came up to him.

“I want to apologize to you, Mr. Carton,” she said bravely, “for my Innocent complicity in the Joke my cousin haß played upon you. “I am Mabel Norton, Fred’s cousin, and it was he who pointed yon out to me and recommended you as the most careful of the public drivers. I assure you that I had no idea that he was playing a joke upon you.” "It is all right,” said Carton. “I was playing a joke npon you, you see. 1 had no business to do it, but —well,” he went on, lamely, “I thought that maybe—after a while—l might be able to tell you that you were my guest and not my fare, anyway—perhaps— well, I hope your mother enjoyed the ride.”

“Oh, that is what they are laughing at. You see, my mother was not at home when I got back, and I sent my old nurse for a ride It was the fact that you had been trapped into taking her that made them think it so funny.” From an inner recesß of Ills cardcase Carton drew forth a five-dollar bill, wrapped in tissue piper. “At any rate,” he said gravely, “I hope you will let me return this.” “You have surely earned it,” she said, flushing slightly as she saw .the care he had taken of It T do —da. not want It” * > “Won’t you exchange It” he said boldly, for that roee?" *- She unfastened the blossom she was wearing to her hair. With Infinite care he folded it In the tissue paper and placed it where the hiß had been. “I feel like an extortioner,” he said simply, but there was that to tee tone which spoke volumes.