nless you are afraid of your
tires."

"No, it isn't that, but I'm afraid I may run over him!"

However, the dog leaped away from the road, darted into an open gateway,
and from behind the safe vantage of the fence barked at the passing
auto.

"I don't mind you there," said Mollie, with a sigh of relief. "Oh, but
isn't this lovely!" and she inhaled deeply of the flower-scented air.
There had been a shower the night before, and the roads were in
excellent condition. Mollie had had the car about two weeks, and had
taken several lessons in driving. As the chauffeur had said, she had
proved an apt pupil, and now, being fully qualified, as her license
stated, to run it alone, she had, on this first occasion, invited her
friends for a run.

For several miles the girls rode along, enjoying to the utmost the
swift, silent and easy motion, and drinking in the sweet air. They
admired the views, too, for though they had been out with Mollie when
she was taking her lessons, they had been so much occupied with
watching her attempts to steer, and listening to the man's instructions,
that they had not fully appreciated the beauty of the country through
which they passed. And the country about Deepdale was beautiful.

"Are you going out Shadow Valley way?" asked Betty, as Mollie
successfully made a turn into another highway, off the main one.

"No, not this time, though we must go there some day. I thought we'd
motor to Farmington, and go home by way of Skillman."

"That's a nice way," said Grace. "Here, Mollie, open your mouth," and,
as her chum did so, Grace inserted a chocolate, for Mollie had not yet
enough confidence to take her hands from the steering wheel, except to
shift gears, with the right.

They were going along a well-shaded road now, the big maples on either
side meeting in an arch of green overhead. Some of the branches were so
low that care had to be taken in passing under them, as Mollie had the
top of the car up for protection.

As they approached one immense and ancient tree they saw a flutter of
white amid the branches near the ground.

"What's that?" cried Betty.

"Look out!" exclaimed Grace.

The white object--large and fluttering--toppled from the tree, almost in
front of the car, and with a little scream of fear Mollie gave the
steering wheel such a sudden twist that the auto swerved and nearly
upset. Across the road it shot on two wheels, and crashed into the
bushes and briars that lined the hig