The Monticellonian., 1895-07-19
MAJ. GWYNNE'S SISTER.

confounded bearings. You'd better run on to St. Albans and order rat ting good dinner for two at the George. By the time it's ready l shall be with you again.
 ''It will be better than hanging about here when can do no good" I agreed. "It was nasty spill, and you may think yourself lucky to have got off with nothing worse than few bruises and little delay. 'Pon my word, was afraid our tour was all ready at an end. Trust me, Harry, old fellow, to have all ready for the inner man."
 Aye, I'll trust you for that" retort- ed my cyclist chum, Harry Holmes, as l gripped the handle-bar of my ma chine and yaulted into the saddle. And not having to listen to your edi- flying remarks concerning my appear anee, l shan't, perhaps, be so long re- pairing damages as you think."
 With this friendly piece of parting banter to spur me on, pressed the pedals in earnest, and the next moment was speeding along the high road to St. Albans, some six miles
 1t was bright, bracing morning, and a sharp spin at my own pace was undoubtedly preferable to sitting smoking on bank, watching my un- untucl1y friend tinltering with span ner, and listening to alternate growls at treacherous roads and all such mis- fortunes as side slips.
 | had traversed half the distance, when rounding curve in the road tance ahead. Apparently something had gone wrong with her mount, for she was standing with it propped up by the side of the road, and was view ing surrounding objects with an air of evident dejection.
 True to the spirit which prompts every cyclist to help another in dis tress l slackened speed and as l drew nearer noticed that tho lady was both young and pretty-a discovery which at once made my impressionable heart i-,5tse etfae Ntfu s.tin lat 1N Slssd t~ s~- ,-tl herself of my services in some way or other.
 My wishes in this respect were speed fly gratified, for as 1 dismounted and politely inquired if anything had gone wrong with her machine, the young lady's face became suff used with the most winning of smiles.
 "oh, thank you, so very much, sir, was the response, spoken without the slightest trace of frigidity. "I must confess that I'm in a wretched fix. The handlebar of my machine has be- come loose, and 1 haven't a tool of any description that will tighten mp the nut. And to make matters worse, my brother, Maj Gwynne, has lost me-or, l suppose, 1 have lost him; and I'm afraid he hasn't the least idea that my plight is such bad ope."
 "oh, we'll very soon set things right" said, reassuringly, and the look of gratitude bestowed upon me made me think that had never before met with sO charming or so handsome a girl as this Miss Gwynne.
 Whipping out my spanner. I ad- justed it and proceeded to tighten up the loose nut of the steering bar. noticed that the young lady's machine was anything but good one. In fact, l was quietly telling myself what an inferior and old-fathioned mount 1t was for SO winsome and apparently well-to-do rider, when, to my dis may, the screw broke short off and the mt attached to it rolled in the road.
 Now, here's a pretty go!' blurted out, reddening with mingled confusion and vexation "Whateyer shall we do now, Miss Gwynne2'
 "oh, I'm sure don't know," was the reply, uttered in tones of consterna- tion which almost overwhelmed me and made me call myself everything the reverse of mplimentary. And it must be at least twenty miles from home, too; and my brother will, 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 l felt decidedly pleased at the prospect of the brothers s continued absence.
 Well. I've landed you in this scrape, and you must allow ne to see you out of it, that's all. n
 Secretly l began to feel rather glad, as l perceived what very pleasant duty had suddenly devolved upon me, and for the time, at all events, my chum Holmes was forgotten.
 'I can only suggest, added, that as you are so far from home, you will allow me to see you to some hotel while I 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. l can easily manage to wheel your machine and my own along
 Somewhat to my surpise, however. Miss Gwynne was visibly embarrassed by my proposition.
 There's one great objection to such a thing she said. after pause, The fact is, Diek-I mean my brother, Maj. Gwynne- left me without penny in my pocket" She colored up charm ingly at the confession, and went on: "Of course he doesn't know that, and it's my own fault. often go out with out bringing my purse, but declare never will again"
 She gave little laugh. as if to con ceai her vexation, and added: And so can't accept your kind suggestion"