CHAPTER XIII
THE STOLEN RIDE
Cora was of a very independent character. She felt that she haddone right, and she did not care who knew it. But, for all that, shecould not help whispering to herself:
"I'm glad Sid didn't see me bringing Paul here. He evidentlythought he had plenty of time. He didn't look my way, and, besides,I had my veil down." Sid had disappeared after Paul.
She decided that she would not wait in the main street for Paul, ashe might be kept some time, but would spin through the park. She wasabout to start when Sid Wilcox reappeared. His face showed hisanger, but at the sight of Cora in her car he called up a smile tohis countenance.
"Why, good-morning," he said pleasantly, stepping up to the auto."You look as though you had been speeding," for her face was flushedfrom the wind.
"A little," was her smiling response. She could afford to smilenow.
"Waiting for some one?" he asked.
"Yes."
It was too late to start off now:
"I'm waiting, too. Suppose I get in and take a turn around the parkwith you? You've never invited me to try your new car."
Cora was surprised. She knew very well she had not asked him toride in the Whirlwind, and she had no intention of doing so. She wasabout to reply, when Sid jumped in beside her.
"I see you're not going to ask me," he went on, "and, as I have noidea of losing the chance for a spin, I'll get in without aninvitation."
With a quick motion he shoved over the spark lever and the motorstarted, for a charge had remained in one of the cylinders,obviating the necessity of cranking up.
"There, we're all ready to go," he said.
Cora was dumfounded. But she felt it would not do to make avigorous protest in such a public place. For a moment her feelingsthreatened to master her. Then she regained control of herself,threw in the clutch and turned the car in the direction of the park.After all, it might be better to humor Sid.
"So you brought Paul Hastings over?" drawled the youth.
Then he had seen her, after all. Cora's precautions were useless.
She nodded coldly. She was offended by her companion's impertinenttone. She started to turn off the power and apply the brake. Shewould not ride with him.
"Oh, you needn't get mad," continued Sid quickly. "I did not meanto offend you, though if it had not been for you Paul would not havegotten here ahead of me. You're a plucky girl, as well as a prettyone."
Cora flashed an indignant look at him.
"I suppose you meant that for a compliment," she said, "but youdon't quite understand the art. It requires a certain delicacy--"
"Such as Paul Hastings might have," sneered Sid.
Cora felt that she could not bear with him a moment longer.
"I have a purchase to make here," she said with as much frigidnessin her tones as she could call up. "I'll not ask you to wait," andshe stopped the car in front of a dress-goods store.
"Oh, it's no trouble to wait."
"I'd rather you wouldn't."
"Well, I will." He was smiling now. "I never like to leave a younglady when she is in a--temper."
Cora was positively angry. But again came that detestation ofmaking a scene, which every well-bred girl feels, no matter howstrong the provocation. She would make a purchase to gain time, andthen turn back to the bank building.
She bought something she was in no need of, and prolonged thetransaction to an interminable length, to the no small disgust ofthe salesgirl. When she got back to the machine, Sid was smilingmore broadly than before.
He had taken her place at the wheel.
"You won't mind me driving as far as the bank building, will you?"he said. "I really must get a new car. I miss mine so much, and it'sin bad shape since you--er--tried to smash me."
"I did nothing of the sort. It was your own fault."
"There, there," he said soothingly. "We mustn't quarrel."
Cora felt herself growing pale. She repressed a stinging reply, andwithout a word took a seat in the tonneau.
"Oh, so you won't sit beside me?" he asked as he started the car."What makes you dislike me so, Cora? You and I used to pull a prettygood stroke, but lately you simply won't look at me."
"I don't dislike you. At least, I did not until this morning."
"Still angry," he taunted. "Now, I call that mean. Why do you gooff riding with a common mechanic?"
"Mr. Hastings is a gentleman!" she flared back at him, like anexplosion of one of the cylinders of her car. "He would never dreamof acting as you are now, even if he is a common mechanic."
"No?"
His tone was tantalizing.
"Please turn this corner," she said icily. "I want to get back tothe bank building."
"Oh, do you? Well, I'm in no hurry to. I can't seem to do anybusiness there, or in the automobile place," and he flashed ameaning look at the girl. "Now we'll see, Miss Cora, who's going tohave their own way. I'm driving this car."
He threw in the second speed gear, and the auto dashed forwardthrough the city streets.
Had he suddenly gone mad? What was his object? He was heading forthe turnpike road!
For a few moments Cora held her breath. Should she shout for help,no matter what happened?
Then the fact of her unfortunate entanglement with the missing moneycame to her mind.
Should she deliberately place herself in the position of anotherentanglement?
Sid Wilcox bent lower over the steering wheel and turned on morepower.
"Paul Hastings rode out with you," he called over his shoulder toCora, "and I'm going to ride back with you. Nothing like having avariety and being a popular young lady."
He was positively insulting.
"You are running away with my car!" exclaimed Cora, stung todesperation. "I shall have you arrested!"
"Oh, no, you won't!" he sneered. "That would not be at allpleasant--for you!"
"Why do you say that?"
"Why? Because you might have to explain how that pocketbook gotinto your car. I heard last night that they were going to haveanother investigation on new lines."
"How dare you!" she cried. "But that has nothing to do with this.If you do not stop my car at once I shall call for help!"
"I dare you to!"
Did he know that she would not?
"Now, Cora, Cora," he simpered. "You must not do anything rash.Better let me have my little ride with you, and incidentally getahead of my conceited rival, Paul Hastings. He may ride back in thecar he is to drive across country, for he has probably done me outof that place. It will be a good chance for him to practice."
Sid's audacity was positively startling. Perhaps it would be bestto let him have his own way. In fact, how could she help herself? Hehad the wheel, and was going at a fast rate of speed. She could notclimb over to a front seat from the tonneau. If she should shout,who would hear her above the noise of the car? For Sid in merespitefulness had cut out the muffler.
Cora sank back in utter disgust and despair. What ever would PaulHastings think of her? What would Walter Pennington say? Whoever sawher, it would make talk. Besides, Paul had come to New City in hisshop clothes concealed under his duster, a fitting enough suit inwhich to ride in an auto, but not if he had to go back in the train.Perhaps, she thought, he had not brought money enough with him,depending on her to take him back to Chelton.
And, above all, what would people think of Cora Kimball riding withSidney Wilcox?
"This is glorious!" exulted the daring youth, "I have just beenpining for a ride in this car, Cora, and, incidentally, I may aswell admit that I have been pining for a talk with you. When haveyou heard from your friend, Miss Downs?"
He fairly shot the question at Cora.
"Miss Downs?" she said falteringly.
"Yes."
"I don't know that I ever hear from Mary Downs," was Cora's sharpreply.
"No?" His voice was queerly questioning. "Well, I want to say Ithink Mary a very
slick little girl."
Cora could not mistake his intention. He wanted her to think thathe believed Mary was not one of her set. By "slick" he probablymeant to convey the idea that he considered the former milliner girlmight be tricky.
"I am sorry Miss Downs is away," said Cora simply. "I intended totake her on a little run with me. She doesn't get many chances to goout in a car."
"No, I guess, not. But don't you think it--er--rather risky to takeup with--shop girls?"
"Shop girls? Why, any girl is a lady, no matter what her position,as long as she conducts herself like one. What do you mean by yourinsinuations?"
She almost detested herself for asking him this question, but shecould not help it.
Sid laughed.
"What have you to say against her character?" demanded Cora again.
Sid seemed a bit uneasy. He had hardly expected to be pinned downso directly.
"Oh, of course," he finally answered, "if you feel that way aboutit, I--er--I suppose--nothing. I only wished to caution you. Thatmoney matter is still in--er--well, let us say, in an awkwardshape."
"Does Mary Downs know anything about it?" asked Cora directly,determined to face Sid down.
"I'm sure I don't know," he drawled. "But you know shewas--er--there with the--rest of us."