The Motor Maids Across the Continent

nd his five mistresses did not know it, it was really uphill work. Very gradual uphill

mechanism, but she urged him on with the mercilessness of one who drives machines, for they must

ach, rolled an infinite stretch of prairie. Like a misty, blue sea it spread before them. Here and there were grou

souls, and when the Comet suddenly gave an exhausted croak and stopped short, they exchanged good-natured smiles as

ings of the car. "Ladies, I must ask you to descend while I take a look at the Comet's organs. His heart be

mpbell, stepping nimbly to the ground. "Since

w loose somewhe

heir "puncture coats," as they called them. These were two long, brown linen dusters, the sleeves of which were secu

Together they opened up the front of the car and spreading a l

ver, she was not wise enough that evening to diagnose the Comet's trouble. The two girls poked their inquisitive noses into every part of the machinery. They sc

the steering g

grandmother talk. It's this

lways on these western plateaus after sunset. First one pale star and then another glimmere

ns which had entered their so

s will never do in the world. Billie, child, can't you fix that thing? It's getting dark. We mustn't be left

y. "I thought there was nothing about this machi

ing her captain, "it's so dark

Campbell, spreading out her hand

n their infinite respect for Billie's powers as a chau

f us could roll up in our steamer blankets and sleep on the ground," suggested Billie with a certain thri

se a silent partner in this guilty pleasure, "we can

Elinor in one voice, and then paus

mense distance away, one little light tw

and ask for help where th

ing of? Could you imagine for a moment I would let you and Nancy go

e assured her. "We'll all live to tell what a wo

build a fire and get

words. In this high, dry climate appetites were too big to mention in p

tent. While Billie and Nancy, armed with a hatchet, went in search of firewood, the other girls unpacked the alcohol stove and the tea basket and Mr. Moore's box of provisions. I

y. "We found a dead pine tree, and lo an

an and presently the fragrance of broiled ham fill

, Mary," ordered Elino

g the proceedings with much pride from her cushion seat near the fir

s she spread a lunch cloth on the ground. "And nothing ever h

le for decoration, and presently they sat down l

r. "I'm not a bit afraid out here in the dar

brought our steame

came?" said Mary,

d we're living

ury in life, was about to lie down on the ground and sleep in a far Western, lonely, unprotected spot? She thought it was highl

they rolled themselves into their steamer rugs and presently were s

and the night grew deeper and stiller. A chill crept into the air and th

hen the sounds stopped and all was silent again, a long, long silence. She remembered sitting up to see if the horseman had passed, but the invisible chains of sleep bound her closely and back she sank into slumber. But always

h only a dream can compass, there came the sound of a motor. For a moment it wa

back to the road, her face turned toward the limitless prairies which were now suffused with a rosy light. Then, trailing

, "you must wake up and s

silent, wondering row as the p

turned her face

ead with a gesture of despair

he Comet, my beloved Co