The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-09-13

wheels under perfect control, but timid-
ity, carelessness or fright might mean
great danger.
81 saw Earnest Fernow turn white
and jam his brake down hard, while he
back pedaled with all his might Sud-
denly we were startled by cry of fear
"a cry for help, Earnest, save mep
The next instant Emily Brant sped by
u.s. She had lost control of her wheel.
"Fernow paid no heed. He was too
frightened himself. He turned his BIZ
cycle into the bank and jumped Even
at the speed with which she was going
l knew she realized he had deserted her.
"Unless you have been similarly
placed, you cannot understand the
ghastly feeling of horror that comes over
you as you know your wheel is beyond
your control on a steep mountain. There
is no way to stop but by turning into
the bank and taking a headlong plunge,
and the chances of injury Or death, Or to
keep on, while the speed increased with
each revolution of the wheels, and the
chances of escape grow less.
81 realized if started in pursuit my
wheel would be i'll a moment more be-
yond my control. Still, my opportunity
had come, and l did not hesitate. A
moment more, and I was close behind
her. had no idea up to this time what
should do, but as my wheel, owing to
superior weight, closed up the gap be-
tween us my thoughts began to take
form.
The road, fortunately, was almost
straight. l remembered that where it
came upon the valley there was wide,
shallow river. 1t came down the noun
tain at right angles to this river, then
turned to the left. There was a small
open field between the road and river T
knew that instinctively she would try
to turn away from the river. In that
case she would be hurled against mass
of rock through which the road had
been cut.
81 must reach her before we came
upon the river. For time our speed
was terrific. The rocks and trees seemed
to be strangely blurred as they sped by.
We could feel the air like resisting
wall through which we were plunging.
Then we came upon rise in the road,
almost hill, which reduced our speed
somewhat, and came nearer her.
Gas 1 came close beside her wheel
she turned her head as if she could not
bear the sight of the water toward
which we were plunging.
"She saw me, and in all the horror
that surrounded US felt great happi-
ness, for there was trust, confidence and
admiration i'll that look. It said, You
will save me.
Cup to that time I believe she thought
she was riding to death alone.
"Then was close beside her, and as
we came toward the turn in the road I
reached over and seized, for one instant,
the handle bars of her wheel, keeping
both wheels pointed for the open field
and the river.
"There was minutes jar as we
crossed the field, then the river seemed
to spring forward to meet us. There
was dull shock, and a plunge into the
water.
81 found myself, when had recover
ed from the force of the blow, half stand
ing, half floating in the shallow water
holding Emily Brant, who was white
and unconscious. The landscape seemed
to be spinning round like top.
81 realized we had escaped serious in
jury, as the river had acted as cushion
and lessened the force of the impact as
we plunged from our wheels. She soon
revived, but was very weak and dizzy.
That night the order of things was
changed. I remained, and it was Fer
now who left for the city.
"From that day the haze of Indian
summer that threatened to envelop my
life has given place to the glory of noon
tide.
For moment or two as Fred ceased
speaking we both sat looking ut the
CRATE fire where the Goals glowed in the
ruddy flame.
Twas thinking, knowing Fred as we'll
as did, that Emily might we'll consider
that hour a fortunate hour for her,
though at the time it carried with it
great dread, but all said was, "Thanks
for the story, old man. Henry E.
Haydock in Once Week.