Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/98

 me to do, to offer assistance, or pass on, when the young lady, rising to an erect position, and turning toward me, revealed the face of Reva Diotha. The stooping position from which she had just risen had heightened the color of her complexion, and somewhat disordered her abundant locks. A tiny smudge on her chin rather added piquancy to her beauty, drawing attention, as it did, to the loveliest of dimples. The monkey-wrench in her hand showed how she had been occupied, and indicated the origin of the above-mentioned mark. Throwing back her hair over her shoulder, she frankly expressed her delight at my opportune arrival.

"You come at a good time. I dismounted to tighten this screw,"—as she spoke she gave a slight tap with the wrench,—"and was so awkward as to draw off the head. With your aid I can repair it in half the time."

By this time I was standing beside her, regarding the damaged machine with all the wisdom I could muster at the moment. Somewhat alarmed at the confidence thus expressed of my proving useful in a matter of which I felt entirely ignorant, I inquired as to whether the machine could not work at all till this repair was effected.

"I might venture on five or six miles an hour. The difficulty is, that I have only an hour in which to reach the station, where I have promised to meet a friend."

"Why might I not take you down?" said I, quite forgetting Utis in my eagerness.

"I have not yet bound up my hair," was the reply, accompanied by a faint blush.

The answer was somewhat enigmatical. Yet, though not without a glimpse of its meaning, I boldly went on,—