The Auto Girls At Washington | Page 3

society people fight against giving me news of themselves and
their doings. I came to ask you if you would give me the pictures of the
'Automobile Girls' for my paper? Oh, you need not look so surprised.
We have all heard of the 'Automobile Girls.' Everybody in Washington
of importance has heard of you. Couldn't you let me write a sketch
about you and your adventures, and put your photographs on the
society page of our Sunday edition? It would be such a favor to me."
Barbara looked distressed. She was beginning to like her visitor.
Though Barbara had been associated mainly with wealthy people in the
last two years of the "Automobile Girls'" adventures, she could not help
feeling interested in a girl who was evidently trying to make her own
way in the world.
"I am awfully sorry," Bab declared almost regretfully, but before she

finished speaking the drawing-room door opened and Ruth Stuart and
Harriet Hamlin entered the room together.
"How is your head, Bab, dear?" Ruth cried, before she espied their
caller.
Harriet Hamlin bowed coldly to the newspaper woman in the big arm
chair. The young woman had flushed, looked uncomfortable at sight of
Harriet and said almost humbly:
"I am sorry to interrupt you, Miss Hamlin, but my paper sent me to ask
you for the pictures of your guests. May I have them?"
"Most certainly not, Miss Moore," Harriet answered scornfully. "My
friends would not dream of allowing you to publish their pictures. And
my father would not consent to it either. Just because he is Assistant
Secretary of State I do not see why my visitors should be annoyed in
this way. I hope you don't mind, Ruth and Barbara." Harriet's voice
changed when she turned to address her cousin and friend. "Forgive my
refusing Miss Moore for you. But it is out of the question."
Ruth and Bab both silently agreed with Harriet. But Barbara could not
help feeling sorry for the other girl, who flushed painfully at Harriet's
tone and turned to go without another word.
Bab followed the girl out into the hall.
"I am so sorry not to give you our photographs," Barbara declared. "But,
of course, we cannot let you have them if Mr. Hamlin would object.
And, to tell you the honest truth, the 'Automobile Girls' would not like
it either." Barbara smiled in such a frank friendly way that no one could
have been vexed with her.
The older girl's eyes were full of tears, which she bravely winked out of
sight.
"Everyone has his picture published in the papers nowadays," she
replied. "I am sure I intended no discourtesy to you or to Miss Hamlin."

Then the girl's self-control gave way. She was very tired, and Bab's
sympathy unnerved her. "I hate Harriet Hamlin," she whispered,
passionately. "I am as well bred as she is. Because I am poor, and have
to support my mother, is no reason why she should treat me as though I
were dust under her feet. I shall have a chance to get even with her,
some day, just as certainly as I live. Then, won't I take my revenge!"
Barbara did not know what to reply, so she went on talking quietly. "I
am sure your asking us for our pictures was a very great compliment to
us. Only important people and beauties and belles have their pictures in
the society papers. It is just because the 'Automobile Girls' are too
insignificant to be shown such an honor that we can't consent. But
please don't be angry with us. I am sure Harriet did not intend to wound
your feelings, and I hope I shall see you soon again."
Marjorie Moore shook Barbara's hand impulsively before she went out
into the gathering darkness. "I like you," she said warmly. "I wish we
might be friends. Good-night."
"Where are Mollie and Grace?" was Bab's first question when she
rejoined Ruth and Harriet.
"They would not come away from the reception," Harriet returned,
smiling. She was quite unconscious of having treated Marjorie Moore
unkindly. "Ruth and I were worried about your headache, so we did not
wish to leave you alone any longer. Strange to relate, Father offered to
stay until Mollie and Grace were ready to come home. That is a great
concession on his part, as he usually runs away from a reception at the
first opportunity that offers itself. Mrs. Wilson, a friend of Father's is
helping him to look after Mollie and Grace this afternoon. Bab, did
some boxes come for me this afternoon? I left orders at the shop to
send them when Father would surely be out. Come on upstairs, children,
and see my new finery."
"Why, Harriet, are you getting more clothes?" Ruth exclaimed.