The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-12-26

WIS great IellVl 10 MS ltellNHS, ana
then suddenly pulled up rs the great
gates of Ashcroft came in sight. He
hcsitatCd moment, almost motionlesS,
then turned up the drive. There was q
great deal of shrubbery around the
house; he would not go in, but would
quietly ride around, and perhaps, catch
a glimpse of the fair tricyclst, unob.
served. \ drawiug-roon curtain was
drawn; Fred dismounted and drew back
in the shadow, waiting. At the same
moment a step WAS heard on the gravel,
and a young 'cycler came briskly along
the path. lie was rather short and
slight, was tastefully dressed in dark
blue knicks and polo cap upon which
badge sparllled, andshe wheeled q
"forty-eight" semi-racer, full nickel, OF
beautiful design and finish. "By Jove
here's a young Ashley" thought our
love-sick 'cycler; II must get ont OF
this" He came out upon the drive and
walked slowly up TO meet the boy. A
glimpse of his face In the moonlight
showed Fred that he was not over fif.
teen.
beg pardon; but l must have struck
a private drive, have not?' said Fred,
shamclessly.
eyes, sir; this is Ashcroft, " answered
the youth, pleasantly.
"And you, my boy are young Ash
ley, just out for moonlight spln?" said
Fred, with true sophomore condescen-
sion. my name is Campbell; suppose
we take our ride together"
"Thank you, that would be jolly shall
we start?" Fred gazed admiringly at the
little fellow as he vaulted lightly by the
pedal into the pigskin, and said, soTTo
voCE, Hes got the family accent. Won.
der if L could pump him about his sis
ter?" Fred mounted and rode up along
side of his companion, who was pedal
ling along with that careless ease SC
natural to young riders.
"You ride great deal, don't you?"
asked Fred.
"Oh, yes, sir!' answered the boy,
heartily.
"And enjoy it, too, see" quoth oul
hero; "what do you think of tricy-
cling?"
II don't think il is quite safe, always -
answered young Ashley, casting mis-,
chieyous glance at Fred, which he how,
ever did not see.
Your sister, Miss May, rides out oc,
casionally, doesn't she?"
Eyes, sir"
"And does she like it, too?' asked
Fred, indifferently.
eyes, she used to; but | believe she
thinks it isn't safe on the highway,
now" Fred cast quick glance at the
speaker, but he was egarding the moon
with such innocence of expression, that
Fred concluded that if lie had heard of
the mornings accident, he did not know
that the guilty person was riding beside
him. They rode on in silence for awhile,
then turned down Brentham. Two
miles ahead lay the famous Brentham
hill, the terror of timid 'cyclers, ana the
scene of many accidents until the Union
"boarded" it conspicuously. Fred felt
very much drawn to this quiet, gentle
boy riding with him, and decided that
he would prove a true friend in promot-
ing his acquaintance with his sister.
IL met your sister not long ago,
and she asked me to call. Do you think
she really would care to see meY'
II am sure she would, very, very
much" said young Ashley, so fervently
that Fred, overjoyed, would have Rugged
him on the spot had that been practic,
able feat. As it was, he expressed his
qualification as modestly as possible
The 'cyclers had now reached the top OF
the long and steep hill. Fred prepared
to dismount, and was surprised to notice
his companion straighten up and take q
firm grip Of the brake handle.
why, are you going to ridc?" he
calculated.
"Oh, yes, l always do, my brake /.
perfectly safe"
"Tm with you, then" said Fred, de
termined not to be outridden by mere
boy, They started down the steep grade,
Ashley leading slightly. Fred was ad.
miring his perfect control over the deli,
cate cemi-racer, when he heard a sharp
snap, instantly followed by short,
glrlish cry from the boys lips, As the
machine shot forward, Fred saw the
shining Tablespoon on the road, and
realized what had happened. At the
bottom Il mile down, lay the ford, now
swollen and filed with broken ice. In
a second his brake was released, and
with a strong squirt, he dashed after the
unwary machine. In a few moments
the speed was too great for padalling so
with legs over handles he flew after the
now helpless boy-yes, and gained upon
him rapidly, first tapping his little wheel
and then getting fast. In low tones that
Fred never forgot, "Save met he
begged, and Fred was away. When
about two hundred yards ahead, re
suddenly dropped both legs OFF the
handle bar and put his toe on the step.
In an instant he was standing upon it,
and the brake, almost red-hot, was
scorching the rubber, as it brought the
machine to standstill by the terrific
strain. As he jumped to the ground,
the runaway bicycle whiz2ei toward
him, the boy watching him with eager
eyes. "Throwup your hands," shouted
Fred, and bracng himself, caught the
little fellow on his arm. lie stood the
shook brayplV blif ag the bnv was