The Scarlet Car | Page 3

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THE SCARLET CAR BY RICHARD HARDING DAVIS

TO NED STONE
CONTENTS
THE JAIL-BREAKERS THE TRESPASSERS THE KIDNAPPERS

THE SCARLET CAR
I THE JAIL-BREAKERS
For a long time it had been arranged they all should go to the Harvard
and Yale game in Winthrop's car. It was perfectly well understood.
Even Peabody, who pictured himself and Miss Forbes in the back of
the car, with her brother and Winthrop in front, condescended to
approve. It was necessary to invite Peabody because it was his great
good fortune to be engaged to Miss Forbes. Her brother Sam had been
invited, not only because he could act as chaperon for his sister, but
because since they were at St. Paul's, Winthrop and he, either as
participants or spectators, had never missed going together to the
Yale-Harvard game. And Beatrice Forbes herself had been invited
because she was herself.
When at nine o'clock on the morning of the game, Winthrop stopped
the car in front of her door, he was in love with all the world. In the

November air there was a sting like frost-bitten cider, in the sky there
was a brilliant, beautiful sun, in the wind was the tingling touch of
three ice-chilled rivers. And in the big house facing Central Park,
outside of which his prancing steed of brass and scarlet chugged and
protested and trembled with impatience, was the most wonderful girl in
all the world. It was true she was engaged to be married, and not to him.
But she was not yet married. And to-day it would be his privilege to
carry her through the State of New York and the State of Connecticut,
and he would snatch glimpses of her profile rising from the rough fur
collar, of her wind-blown hair, of the long, lovely lashes under the gray
veil.
"`Shall be together, breathe and ride, so, one day more am I deified;'"
whispered the young man in the Scarlet Car; "`who knows but the
world may end to-night?'"
As he waited at the curb, other great touring-cars, of every speed and
shape, in the mad race for the Boston Post Road, and the town of New
Haven, swept up Fifth Avenue. Some rolled and puffed like tugboats in
a heavy seaway, others glided by noiseless and proud as private yachts.
But each flew the colors of blue or crimson.
Winthrop's car, because her brother had gone to one college, and he had
played right end for the other, was draped impartially. And so every
other car mocked or cheered it, and in one a bare-headed youth stood
up, and shouted to his fellows: "Look! there's Billy Winthrop! Three
times three for old Billy Winthrop!" And they lashed the air with flags,
and sent his name echoing over Central Park.
Winthrop grinned in embarrassment, and waved his hand. A bicycle
cop, and Fred, the chauffeur, were equally impressed.
"Was they the Harvoids, sir?" asked Fred.
"They was," said Winthrop.
Her brother Sam came down the steps carrying sweaters and
steamer-rugs. But he wore no holiday countenance.
"What do you think?" he demanded indignantly. "Ernest Peabody's
inside making trouble. His sister has a Pullman on one of the special
trains, and he wants Beatrice to go with her."
In spite of his furs, the young man in the car turned quite cold. "Not
with us?" he gasped.
Miss Forbes appeared at the house door, followed by Ernest Peabody.

He wore an expression of disturbed dignity; she one of distressed
amusement. That she also wore her automobile coat caused the heart of
Winthrop to leap hopefully.
"Winthrop," said Peabody, "I am in rather an embarrassing position.
My sister, Mrs. Taylor Holbrooke"--he spoke the name as though he
were announcing it at the door of a drawing-room--"desires Miss
Forbes to go with her. She feels accidents are apt to occur with motor
cars--and there are no other ladies in your party--and the crowds----"
Winthrop carefully avoided looking at Miss Forbes. "I should be very
sorry," he murmured.
"Ernest!" said Miss Forbes, "I explained it was impossible for me to go
with your sister. We would be extremely rude to Mr. Winthrop. How
do you wish