The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-12-24

side this hedge just as well as not, and
| really ought to, you know, after be-
ing so careless" he added, trying not
to appear to eager. She thanked him
with a slightly vexed smile, hesitated
a moment, and then made room for
him beside her You may be assured
that Fred was not long in wheeling
his machine in back of the hedge and
seating himself beside this very pretty
young lady, tfY{
"Shall ! steer?" she asked, quietly.
eyes, and l will manage the brake Z
answered he, casting an admiring
glance at the gloyed fingers so firmly
clasped around the ebony, and think
ing, perhaps, that if any braking was
done, it would propably be his suscep-
tible heart, In a moment they were
rolling along the street, her little feet
following his as he worked manfully
At the pedals. They rode for some
lime in silence; finally Fred ventured
To steal glance at his companion
when he thought she was particularly
occupied in guiding the tricycle., and
blushed tremendously as he found
that she was regarding him with al
amused smile. Then, desperately, in
the endeavor to find out who she
was:
"Do you live very far from here9p
"I am sorry you are getting tired
This mischeviously.
ooh, but am not, you know" he
answered hastily; "hoped it was al
ieast ten miles Off" ksI
"Thank you," she said, laughingly
but here we are now.@ And she
turned their carriage up the graveled
drive Of Ashcroft, the beautiful manor
If Mr.. Ashley, NJ. P.
"Then you are Miss May Ashley p
cried Fred, in a breath. ~ have often
aeard my sister speak of you. / an
/ Fred Campbell, and you must let me
take your poor tricycle. aud have Ii
axle fixed" ~
Miss Ashley smiled as she dismount
ed.
at is not worth while-thank you,
she murmered; and then, suddenly
holding out her hand, gave him an
other dazzling shaft from those greai
eyes. Il should be glad to see yor
| here, Mr.. Campbell" FE
Fred stammered his thanks. presse,
| the little hand, and strobe down Til,
drive, treading on figurative rubber
pedals. If any one had mentioned
Miss Ethel's name to him then, ht
would have gazed in blank amaze
ment. Yes, it cannot be denied, Free
Campbell was very much in love. III,
found his steed where he had left il
and rode home slowly, saying, eyes
very," rather absently, in response Il
his sisters inquiry as to whether h
mad a pleasant ride or not, He wa
not SO badly smitten as to prevent hi
enjoying his roast beef and pudding
however, and his father beamed ap
provingly at him. bicycling is
fine sport, my boy innocent and harm
less" But the good old gentlems
did not notice the blush that Fre
: chose to explain with a choke an
,urgle. After dinner he stood wit
9is sisters hand drawn through hi
: I'm, looking off upon the gray Chris
! atas evening, Star after star glin
: mered out, and finally the huge d
: ange disk Of the moon rose over th
larches. "Beth, do you know Ma
: Ashley2" he asked abruptly. "Wh,
. no Fred ; that is, | have met hertwiC
= !, this season, but have only a bowin
: acquaintance with her. WhyH" ST
v asked, looking at him curiously, aOl
= nothing, only thought ! remembe
" ed hearing you speak Of her, an
= merely asked for the sake OF sayir
= something" hastily rejoined the vel
Z naughty fellow.
d "She is said to be little odd; bl
she is certainly very charming" sa
y Beth. XVII
~ "By Jovel yesl murmured Ere
under his breath; and then, gent
'e releasing himself, he donned his G,
: and strolled out to the lawn, whe
his bicycle, resting against a po
= glimmeredsin in the moonlight, He
. garded it minute, then wheeled
suddenly into drive, sprang into +
!, saddle and flew down the road.
= he bowled out upon the Avon pill
= the moonlight cast a grotesque shad,
y in front Of him, as if an ape, perch
y upon stick, were making frantic
"o forts to get off,
= Fred rode vigorously, as if the ex
- else was great relief to his feelin
= and then suddenly pulled up as
w"s w great gates Of Ashcroft came in sig
- He hesitated a moment almost n
tionless, then turued up the dri