Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-12-19
W0dsTl Knight ETTaltTy.

She was bewitchingly pretty, and
her name was Ethel Fontaine. Ted
Eccles pronounced her little fairy,
far too good for this rude work-a-day
world. And he longed to have her all
to himself, her earthly dross notwith-
stan ding He saw no reason why his
suit should not be successful II that
ass, Jack Bowles, who never seemed to
see that he was not wanted, would only
take himself out of the road, and not
be such an unmitigated nuisance"
Jack Bowles, the gentleman referred
to, also thought her a jolly nice girl.
His thoughts ran on lines more pro-
sale than sentimental He gave them
vent in frequently-muttered desire
to punch the devoted head of Mr.. Ec-
cles for presuming to interfere be-
tween himself and the affections OF
Miss Fontaine.
The conversation one evening was
apropos of poetry in general and one
of Mr.. Ted Eccles' illusions in par
ticular He had composed pastoral
ultcI luC InOSt dPpipNNu
models, with the reading of which he
entertained the company.
'You know, think we are living in
most degenerate days" Ethel remark
ed to Maud Eccles, who was seated at
her side; linen do nothing nowadays
to Justify the extravagant expressions
they make of undying affections, and
all that sort of bosh."
"Surely, Miss Ethel, you do not class
us all as hypocrites" pleaded Ted.
with slight accent on the word "all,
as if he felt that the remark might not
be without some justification in the
case of his rival.
"Oh, / don't know, I'm sure" she
responded archly. you're all pretty
much alike. When there's any talking
to be done. each strives to Guido his
neighbor; but there's no great hurry to
put all these fine speeches into prac-
tice''
81 don't quite understand what you
mean," interposed Jack Bowles, evil
IDENTIFY much Interested.
well, L think my meaning plain
enough. A poet, or, for the matter of
that, any person in love, or who inn
AGNES himself to be in love. throws
himself into a dramatic attitude and
cxclaims that he Is ready to do any
thing, go anywhere. for the object of
his devotion. and, If need be, sacrifice
his life for her sake; while, as u mat
ter of fact, he wouldn't even go with
out his dinner for one day.
This fragment of conversation left
n great impression on the minds of
Ted Eccles and Jack BOwles. They
each regretted that the days OF knight
hood were passed; that no joust or
tournament could afford them the OPP
portunity of covering themselves with
gore and glory in honor of Miss Fon-
tame Ted's fervid imagination pic
tured himself, as the hero of a hundred
combats, kneeling at her feet to re-
ceive the laurel crown Of victory.
Jack entertained the conviction no
less that he would have vanquished
whole armies in such cause.
Ted dwelt long on the agreeable
theme. And there came to him a
happy inspiration, upon which lie pro-
ceeded to act.
"Bob," said he to Mr.. Fontaine's
coachman, a night or two later, lis
that brown mare Of yours restive?"
"Quiet as lamb" was the response.
"But still, she could kick IL you
yexed her."
IL dare say" was Bob's cautious re-
joinder.
"Well, look here. Bob" said Ted,
confidentially, II want you to do me
a favor" Here Bob's fingers closed
over half-a-crown. II want you to as
sist me to carry out little scheme Of
mine. Miss Ethel will be going out
for drive tomorrow afternoon, and
IL you could manages wink-"er-
manage to seem like as If the horse
understanding away, and 1 was on
the spot to stop her, I'd give you half
a-sovereign, Bob"
Ted hurried over the latter part of
his explanation somewhat nervously,
and awaited the reply with apprchen-
sion.
Bob looked mystified, as, indeed, he
WAS.
Ted explained again.
"You sec. Bob, don't want Miss
Ethel to run any danger" he added
shut I'D like her to see me ready to
risk my life for her. 1t wouldn't take
much to make believe the horse was
running away, and you could shout
and yell, and I'd be ready to rush for
ward and stop the blamed thing"
1t took Bob some time to see the
affair I'm all its bearings. At last, how
ever, after much persuasion. he con
scented, for the sake of n sovereign
TO cary out q runaway incident with as
little danger as possible to Miss Fon
taine, and as much glory as possible
to Mr.. Eccles.
The next afteroon the latter was
strolling, to all appearances accident
ally, along a country lane, when he
saw carriage coming in his direction
ut very unusual speed. The coach
man on the box seemed to have taken
temporary leave OF his senses. He
was gesticulating like o lunatic, and