REVERIE OF SPEED

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3189, 31 January 1928, Page 2

REVERIE OF SPEED

HOW THE END CAME

TALE OF POWER AND JOY,

Smith was exultant; in his mind's eye he saw the inscription that graced the radiator of his superb, steed —the magic initials "RR"—and he longed to sing, to shout loud his joy. He looked down the facia board with its plethora of instruments, the gentlytapering bonnet, and the strong, angular line of the radiator, and marvelled at his privilege. He thought of his own litle car apologetically. (This was not really his own that he was driving).

Presently he declutched and, on impulse, engaged top gear. Cautiously he allowed the pedal to come back. A smile of admiration spread over his features as he felt the big car slide into motion, smoothly as a ship slipping her moorings. He looked up and saw the hills ahead—good. An early change-down—the gears seemed to move on burnished silk —and he let her have the throttle. -Up, up she flew, as though on the wings of the wind, or caught on the crest of some great wave. He leant back, enraptured.

On the level once more, the speed lust took possession of him. The road was deserted, the car ready to share his every mood. He settled down in his seat. Advancing the ignition to its limit, he steadily depressed the accelerator; soon the roadside was flying past, a medley of colour and rioting shapes. Fifty, fifty-five, without an effort; sixty, easily; sixty-five, well within her compass; seventy, there fell on his ears a sound, a ringing sound, curiously penetrating.

The peculiar noise disturbed him, and involuntarily he slackened speed. It grew gradually louder. Soon its mocking clamour began seriously to distract him—a sharp bend in the road, and he got round by the skin of his teeth. Now it insinuated itself in his ears in an insistent, threatening manner; it would not be denied; he really must get out and see what was the matter, or something serious would certainly follow the neglect of such alarming symptoms.

Oh, curse that alarm clock!