The Press., 1893-06-01
BEYOND THE CITY.
CHAPTER V.

A NAVAL CONQUEST.
 It was the habit of the doctor and the admiral to accompany each other upon a morning ranble between breakfast and lunch. The dwellers in those quiet tree lined roads were accustomed to see the two fgures-the long, thin, austere sea- man and the short, bustling, tweed clad physician-pass and repass with such regularity that a stopped clock has been reset by them. The admiral took two steps to his companions three, but the younger man was the quicker, and both were equal to a good 44 miles an hour.
 It was lovely summer day which fol- lowed the events which have been de scribed. The sky was of the deepest blue, with few white heecy clouds drifting lazily across it, and the air was filled with the low drone of insects or with sudden sharper note as bee or blue fly shot past with its quivering long drawn hum, like an insect tuning fork. As the friends topped each rise which leads up to the Crystal palace they could see the dun clouds of London stretching along the northern sky line, with spire or dome breaking through the low lying haze. The admiral was in high spirits, for the morning post had brought good news of his son.
 'tIt is wonderful, Walker" i" he was say ing, positively wonderful, the way that boy of mine has gone ahead during the last three years. We heard from Pear son today. Pearson is the senior part ner, you know, and my boy the junior Qr 1irr rr old dog is Pearson, as cute and as greedy as Rio shark. Yet he goes off for 8 fortnight's leave and puts my boy in full charge, with all that immense business in his hands, and free hand to do what he likes with it. How's that for confi- dence, and he only three years upon changer"
 "Any one would confide in him. His face is surety" said the doctor.
 A'Go on, Walker" The admiral dug his elbow at him. ''You know my weak side. Still it's truth all the same. I've been blessed with good wife and good son, and maybe relish them the more for having been cut off from them so long. I have much to be thankful for. :"
 And so have I. The best two girls that ever stepped. There's Clara, who has learned as much medicine as would give her the L. s. A., simply in order that she may sympathize with me in my work But, hullo, what is this coming along?" :
 "All drawing and the wind asternv' cried the admiral. Fourteen knots if is's one. Why, by George, it is that woman!'
 A rolling cloud of yellow dust had streamed round the curve of the road, and from the heart of it had emerged a high tandem tricycle. flying along at a breakneck pace In front sat Mrs. West macott clad il d heather tweed pea jacket, skirt which just passed her knees and pair of thick gaiters of the same ma terial. She had 8 great bundle of red papers under her arm, while Charles, who sat behind her clad in Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers, bore simi- lar role protruding from either pocket. Even as they watched, the pair eased up, the lady sprang off, impaled one of her bills upon tho garden railing of an empty house, and then jumping on to her seat again was about to hurry onward when her nephew called her attention to the two gentlemen upon the footpath.
 "Oh, now, really didn't notice you,' said she, taking a few turns of the treadle and steering the machine across to them. ''Is it not beautiful morningY
 "Lovely," answered the doctor. "You seem to be very busy"
 ''I am very busy" She pointed to the colored paper which still futtered from the railing. "We have been pushing our propaganda, you see. Charles and l have been at it since o'clock. It is about our meeting. wish it to be 8 great sue cess. Seev' She smoothed out one of the bills, and the doctor read his own name in great black letters across the bottom.
 "We don't forget our chairman, you see. Everybody is coming. Those two dear little old maids opposite, the Will iamses, held out some time, but have their promise now. Admiral. am sure that you wish. us we'll"