The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-08-03
THE MAJORS SISTER.

1t will take at least an hour to overhaul
my machine and adjust these confounded
bearings. You'd better run on to St. AL
bans and order a rattling good dinner for
two at the George. By the time it's ready
shall be with you again"
"It will be better than hanging about
here when 1 can do no good" agreed.
sit was a nasty spill, and you may think
yourself lucky to have got off with nothing
worse than few bruises and little de-
lay Pom my word, was afraid our tour
was already at an end. Trust to me, Har-
ry, old fellow, to have all ready for the in
ner man."
"Aye, IN trust you for that, retorted
my cyclist chum, Harry Holmes, as grip
ped the handle bar Of my machine and
vaulted into the saddle. "And, not hay
ing to listen 10 your edifylng remarks con-
cerning my appearance, shan't perhaps
be so long repairing damages as you
think"
With this friendly piece of parting BAN
ter to spur me on, pressed the pedals in
earnest, and the next moment was speed
ing along the high road to st. Albans, dis
tant some six miles.
1t was bright, bracing morning and q
sharp spin at my own pace was undoubt-
edly preferable to sitting smoking on a
bank, watching my unlucky friend tinker
ing with wrench and listening to alter
nate growls at treaoherous roads and all
such misfortunes as side slips.
had traversed half the distance when,
rounding curve In the road, observed a
lady cyciist q short distance ahead. APP
parently something had gone wrong with
her mount, for she was standing with 1t
propped up by the side of the road and was
viewing surrounding objects with an air
of evident detection.
True to the spirit which prompts every
cyolist to help another in distress, slack
ened speed and as drew nearer noticed
that tho lady was both young and pretty,
discovery which at once made my i'm
pressionable heart hope that she might be
glad to avail herself Of my services in
some way or other.
Ny wishes in this respect were speedily
gratifed, for as dismounted and politely
inquired II anything had gone wrong with
her machine the young lady's face became
suffused with the most winning Of smiles.
"Oh, thank you SO very much, sir"
was the response, spoken without the
slightest trace of frigidity. II must CON-
fess that I'm in wretohed fix. The ham
die bar of my machine has become loose,
and haven't tool Of any description that
will tighten up the nut. And to make
matters worse my brother, Major Gwynne,
has lost me-or, suppose, have lost
him-and I'm afraid he hasn't the least
idea that my plight is such a bad one."
''Oh, we'll very soon set things right"
said reassuringly, and the look Of grati-
tude bestowed upon me made me think
that had never before metwith so charm
ing or SO handsome girl as this Miss
Gwynne.
Whipping out my wrench, adjusted 10
and proceeded to tighten up the loose nut
of the steering bar. I noticed that the
young lady's machine was anything but a
good one In fact, I was quietly telling
myself what an inferior and old fashioned
mount It was for SO winsome and appar-
emily well to do rider, when, to my dis
may, the screw broke short off, and the
nut attached to 1t rolled in the road.
"Now, here's a pretty gol" I blurted
out, reddening with mingled confusion
and vexation. "Whatever shall we do
now, Miss Gwynnef"
"Oh, I'm sure doz't know" was the
reply, uttered in tones of CONSERVATION
which almost overwhelmed me and made
me call myself everything the reverse Of
complimentary. "And 1 must be at least
90 miles from home, too, and my brother
will, I am quite certain, never trouble
himself to turn back to look for me. He'll
simply keep on driving ahead. But, there,
/ suppose he is just like other brothers
quite useless as escorts
For my own part felt decidedly pleased
at the prospect of the brothers continued
absence.
"well, I've landed you in this scrape,
and you must allow me to sec you out Of
1t, that's oil"
Secretly began to feel rather glad as I
perceived what very pleasant duty had
suddenly devolved upon me- and for the
time, at all events, my ohum Holmes was
quite forgotten.
"But what can either of us dor You
can't pick me up and give me o ride.
Yours isn't bicycle built for two, you
know" And the young lady laughed with
such perfect good humor that 1 felt quite
at my case again.
"I sincerely wish 1t was for once"
returned boldly, and then as she turned q
pair of bright, laughing eyes upon me
blushed at my unusual temerity the while
was growing positively eager to become
the slave of this fair cyelist.
~ can only suggest" added, THAT as
you are SO far from homo you will allow
me to see you to some hotel while try to
get new bolt and nut. Possibly you can
tell me of likely place to put up at for
an hour or two, as am stranger about
here. can easily manage to wheel your
machine and my own along"
Somewhat to my surprise, however, Miss
Gwynno was visibly embarrassed by my
proposition.
There's one great objection to such O
thing" she said after a pause. 1.-THE fact
is, Dick-I moan my brother, Major
Gwynne-has left me without penny in
my pocket" She colored up charmingly
at the confession and went on: "of course
he doesn't know that, and It's my own
fault. 1 often go out without bringing my
purse, but I declare never will again.
She gave little laugh, as IL to conceal