Read Online CRIMSON MOUNTAIN by Grace Livingston Hill - Free Book Online

was working.
    “Okay, Phil,” said Mark with a grin. “Everything’s fine and dandy. The lady can have her car in about fifteen minutes now. Anything more you want done, son? Say, it looks ta me as if you needed a little tinkering yourself. You just all but got a flat tire, and your engine’s steaming. Wait till I get after her.”
    “Oh,” said Laurel. “Isn’t this wonderful! My car will be done in time for me to get home tonight!”
    “Sure thing, lady. You hit the nail on the head,” said the mechanic. “You take Pilgrim with you, and ya can leave his car here till we doctor it up a bit. I can see at least half a dozen things needs doing to it.”
    “Thanks, Mark, but the lady and I each have our own business. If you don’t mind, I’ll just take off my coat and get down and put on my own spare tire and trust to luck for the rest.”
    “Not on your tintype, old man, you won’t,” said Mark. “I’ve owed you a thank-you for a long time for a lotta good deeds you done fer me, and now I wantta get it off my conscience. Besides, I’m too patriotic to let you get down on them there new soldier trousers knees with them fine creases in ’em. This one is on me, and I mean it, man!”
    “Sorry, Mark, but I’ve simply got to get to the city. Excuse me a minute. I’ll have to telephone. And when I get back, I’ll wager I can get my car in shape as soon as you finish that one.”
    So Pilgrim went in to the telephone for a few minutes, and Laurel watched his face and gathered that he had finally reached his officer and that the answer was satisfactory. It was pleasant to watch the glow of light in his eyes and the pleased smile as he talked, as if he and his captain were on friendly terms. Then he came out.
    “It’s okay,” he said in a tone of satisfaction. “I’m off for two days longer to get this matter settled up. And now, how is your car? Why—but—what has become of mine? Mark, you sinner! What have you done with it?”
    Then, as he rounded the corner into the back of the garage, “What have you taken off those wheels for? I didn’t tell you to repair my car!”
    “Those wheels were out of alignment. Hadn’t you noticed it, pal? Anyhow, I’m fixing it. The lady says she wants you to go in her car. She claims she’s afraid to ride to the city alone at night on that there lonely road.” Mark winked affably at Laurel as he turned back to put a final twist to a nut he was tightening in her car before turning it over to her.
    Laurel gave him an understanding grin and turned toward Pilgrim.
    “I can’t credit that,” said Pilgrim. “That girl’s not afraid of anything.”
    “Listen,” said Laurel, stepping to Pilgrim’s side and speaking in a low tone, “this is probably my only chance to do a little repaying for the way you saved my life, and I want you please to be good and let me do it.
Please!
And besides, it
is
a very lonely ride some of the way to the city, and I really want your company.”
    Pilgrim looked into her wide blue eyes, and something flashed from them to his own and deep into his soul. His own glance softened.
    “All right,” he said, “if you really mean it. Only, remember I’m an utter stranger, you know.”
    “No,” said Laurel, “you’re
not
a stranger. Not since you saved my life!” And the smile she gave him sent a warm glow around his heart. Then her eyes went down in sudden embarrassment. “You know, I’m really quite unnerved with what I’ve been through this afternoon!” she explained quickly, in what she tried to make a matter-of-fact tone. “I really would feel quite uneasy alone. And besides, we have things to talk over.”
    He looked at her in a kind of grave amusement. “Have we?” he asked. “What things?”
    “Why, certainly,” said Laurel crisply, avoiding his direct glance. “We—haven’t—made—any plans yet.”
    “Plans?” said Pilgrim with a lifting of his brows.
    “Why, yes, plans for meeting again, and all that. You