From the Car Behind

he farmhouse near the Westbury Turn. So while Corrie was walking through his five miles of des

lad cavaliers in a Puritan meeting. If the hues ran to vivid scarlets and unexpected contrasts, why, Rupert had done the shopping and had consulted his own taste. In the midst of his artistic wo

a paragraph, and broke off, stunned. "Gee! And I was understanding that was a man! I ain't qualified

Gerard returned, stirring in his arm-chair opposite the ruddily glowing Germa

ous. And however hard the battles and rebellion he inwardly had passed through, tone or expression carried no outward intelligence of past conflict as he smiled across at his entertainer. Gerard possessed in fu

resenting itself as the only one combination garage and grocery store, so Darling contracted for a can of warranted cylinder oil in a speed dash that left

qual

he finest brand of Koko Korn syrup, extra rich. They had to knock down our motor wit

d lau

he ant

if molasses was being poured into it for lubrication-it sticks. Will you take it

, listening. The outer door had opened and closed, someo

ose!" he

on the table and stood up, stra

he observed nonchalantly. "

ily remained in the same room with Corrie or had exchanged speech with him. The two passed at the

pression. That long solitary walk had left his young face drawn with a white fatigue not physical. But his ey

an Rupert does," he abruptly opened. "But-y

" Gerard confirmed, his

the fire-bright squares of the stove. He still wore his gray

ause of a lost minute, seen men whose nerve never balked at a risk sit down and cry like girls when their car went out of a race. There is a mark on my car now where Ralph Stanton once scraped off the paint in passing because I was slow in getting out of hi

to think that, Corrie. But do not give me credit not due; I am not unusually forgiving or wise, it is, indeed, m

at it. Gerard, my father has sent me off. Oh, not like that!" as the other man moved, startled. "I mean, he has told me to go away for a year or two, anywhere I like, until people forget. He says he doesn't want to see me for a while. No one does,

rri

etuous gestur

at shovelling coal. Don't send me off alone with more money than I can spend and nothing to do with myself. I can't stand it-I'd go under! You would bette

like a clutching grasp. Gerard felt his own nerves draw te

off your overcoat and come sit down; you are not going right out again. I've got work for you that will keep you

ace averted, his fingers gripping the mantel-s

s, I shall have to keep you in good shape if you are going to help me put through a scheme of mine. Of course, I am not altering my plan of living merely because I have got one arm to use in place of two.

st rose to depart, Gerard de

and affairs, instead of the racing driver and social playmate. "We will not speak again of the subject we have concluded to-night. I do not wish the accident to th

straight glance of utter helplessness and st

head--" he pushed back his heavy fair hair. "Yes, I'd rather start with you, if you

oor was the signal for Rup

is up," he reminded, "an

r to-morrow, and continue work on that special racing car of mine.

cian slowly

ly?" he refu

ety Mercuries. He doesn't yet know anything about it, himself, and he isn't going to be told until I am ready. You are going to

'll be because I'm taking him to be

all

dear

and met the inflexible black eyes with the cool, mischie