The Van Buren press., 1895-10-19


bered with Joy Mat the last three
miles of the race wss long incline 70
the bridge at the border. II he could
not overtake them oefore, he was SURE
to do 70 at that stage of the race.
by AL the gods. cried young Sher-
win at that moment, ''he's after m
Give me the reins and the whip. Edna;
we must get over the bridge frat, II
we kill the horse in doing So"
The young girl, with cry OF fear
gave the reins into her lovers banda
In spite Of all efforts Of the horse
they could not once shake on old
Scndamore, nor yet could he overtake
them, but young Sherwin realized. "a
did old Scudamore, that on the long
decline to the bridge he would como
up with them. even If they kept their
horse on the gallop
When the elopinR couple reached the
top OF the hill where Borderer's Arms
stand, three miles from the bridge
that leads into Scotland, the old man
was but half q mile behind them trudg-
ing up the hill as stubbornly and ap-
parently as fresh as ever.
The young man stopped the horse at
the door of the public house.
"Good gracious" said the girl, '.you
are not going to stop here"
YES" said young Sherwin. Don't
say word. / will explain it all later" "
and he dashed into the public house.
where he astonished the barmaid by
asking If she sold empty bottles.
'Yes sir" she said.
"Then give me an armful quickly"
he cried, finging down gold piece.
Never mind the change, but be quick
about it."
Three arm loads the young man
took out tc the trap and flung under
the seat. The girl, not knowing the
bottles were empty, thought the
critical situation had turned her low
er's brain, but he sprang into the cart,
and looking. over his shoulder saw
that the old man was only half way
up the hill.
.Now, my darling" he said, you
take the reins and drive as fast as you
can"
When they were above three hundred
yards from the tavern Sherwin took a
bottle by the neck and smashed it
against the road, then anotaer and an
other and another.
"sgh;f - by, say sayy ffooT Reg ginaidi, what are
you doing that for?" cried the girl.
.sThis is for the benefit of the old
In
Reginald, as with crash after crash
the broken glass scattered over the
queens highway.
The girl continued driving, while
Reginald, looking backward, had the
full benefit Of the old mans disaster.
He did not stop at the top Of the hill,
but sprang at once on his machine. and
came down the inclineiike lightning
express. Reginald gazed anxiously at
the area Of broken glass, which he
knew began at the milestone on the
northern side OF the hotel. The old
man came sweeping on without seem
ing to notice anything, and Reginald's
heart stood still as he saw how thein-
furiated cyclist was gaining on them.
1.-THE tires must be cut to pieces by
this time,' he muttered through his
clenched teeth, and he began again
vigorously to smash bottles No pneu
matte tire that was ever made car
stand roadway of broken glass very
long, and Reginald, with sigh of re.
lief, saw the old man wobble frs.
from one side of the road and then te
the other, and at last slow up and dis
mount.
The excited young man gave yell
Of triumph and wa zed an empty bottle
over his head as he saw old Scudamore
let his machine drop in despair to the
ground, while he himself sat down on
the second milestone to wipe his heated
brow.
They had been married more than
half an hour when detected man.
trundling q bicycle whose tires hung
in ribbons, entered the Scottish village
A smiling young man went forth tc
meet him.
Its all right, father-in-law," hs
said. II have made inquiries and find
that they can put new tires on bicy.
cles in this place, which one wouldn't
have expected. have sent back q LOT
of men with brooms to sweep the
broken glass of the road. You must
be somewhat fatigued with your long
ride, so let me offer you lift to the
hall. My wife will be pleased to drive
you, and will see the new tires put
on the machine and will ride it W
there this evening. e.
Although your temper is said to be
bad, have always admired your com
mon sense, and assure you that it i.
the only thing to do As Edna is youl
only daughter, and as you and l will
have to settle our little diff1cultie.
some time, let US do it now. for two
grown men like ourselves don't wan
| to furnish gossip and scandal for thil
gossipy neighhorhood."
II suppose it's the only thing to do
you villain" said old Scudamore.
at is, indeed replied tho villain
Now go to the parlor on the first foo
Of the hotel and talk real nicely to m,
wife, while take the bicycle to thu
shop. Detroit Free Press.