Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-09-17
more onto his machine and rode away ~

more onto his machine and rode away
toward home.
YEARLY lie worked up the hill ON the
brow Of which stood the Tires house.
A groom was just leading away his
unclc's bicycle rs he reached the door
way. He threw himself from his ma
chine, turned it over to the man and
went in search of his patron. He
found him seated in cool corner of
the porch pulling vigorously and fam
ming himself
Reuben Tires was handsome old
man, apparently about eighty years.
A long white beard and hair THAT fell
thick on his broad shoulders gave him
q venerable appearance, which seemed
rather out of keeping with the brown
golf suit in which he was attired. For
forty years he had been widowcr and
childless. George Van Spoke, his only
sisters son, was the comfort of his old
age, and to him he intended to leave
the vast fortune which he had made
on the stock market. The world knew
this, and many wise mothers had
looked on Van Spoke Us not only suita-
bic but rs most desirable part for
their marriageablc daughters.
AS George approached his unclo the
old man greeted him kindly. "Wcll,"
he cried, $50 you have been out for q
spin. too. have just got bacls from q
run over to Springer's--a good twelve
mile run. Cooling off little; then for
cold plunge"
Van Spoke threw himself into .
chnir and for some moments voucl,-
safed no reply. Then he laid one hand
gently on his unclc's knee and said:
Uncle, you have been almost father
to me, and l want you to know how
deeply l appre-"
Come, come, George, don't get scnti-
mental now" interrupted Mr.. Tires
I'm not feeling that way by any
means pld Springer and have ar
ranged a meeting ut last. rode over
there to-aay with our ncighbor, Miss
Fellows. Now, don't look concerned.
It's nothing serious, assure you. She
and were children together, and sim
ply went out for little spin. But rs
was saying"
Uncle Reuben, l have something
concerning which wish to-
Just wait until l tell you about
this affair. We went to Springer's and
succeeded in arranging meeting for
tomorrow. You know have been
trying to fix it for years, and we had
trouble over the handicap We settled
all that. Road racc-two miles-to-
rnorrow-one hundred dollars a side. I
give him n minutes start on me, as lic
is five years older than l. Pray what
do yon think of your old uncle now?"
Mr. Tires clapped his nephew gayly
on the shoulder and then threw him
self back In his chair and laughed long
aud loud.
"Unclc," began George, 81 want to
marry Ethel Wheeling, rs have told
you before. have come again to ask
your consent"
Reuben Tires at once became scri-
ous 1Ie leaned forward and replied
earnestly:
My boy, you know what have al
ready told you. can have no
nephew of mine tying himself for life
to light-hcadcd creature who rides a
Whizzer. l can have no heir, Of mine
daily rislking his life and limb for the
sake OF q woman. What DOES she say?
Has she consented to give sNstss. her
folly?" q
Van Spoke sadly shook his head and
replied: NO, she has not: she says
that she will not marry, to live in
constant fear of being widowed. She
will not have husband who, as she
puts il, is SO lacking in mind us to ride
a Buster. Uncle Reuben, love You
like father, but Ethel is all the
world to me; withdraw your hard con-
dition."
Thought" cried the old man,
springing to his feet, his face flushed
with anger. "Thc i,npudcnt woman!
tell you, George Won Spoke, it has
long been my desire to leave nv
fortune to found the Tires lone for
Crippled Whcelmcn-a lasting monu-
ment to my memory, to my bcnefi-
ccnce. On your account alone have
given up this, the darling project Of
my OLD age. Go; marry the woman if
you will; marry her and not a cent of
money will you get. will cut off your
very allowance. Choose, choose for
yourself
Mr.. Tires turned upon his heel and
strobe into the house, leaving George
Van Spoke choking with grief and
anger.
Van Spoke thought Of suicide. But
that would not win him Ethel. He
thought of giving up his fortune and
marrying her, pennilcss as he was.
But she would not have him under such
conditions. Torn by conflicting emo
lions, rage and grief, love and hate,
wild envy of Sproc!sett, mad condemna-
ton of self, he buried his head in his
hands and wcpt. Several hours passed,
but still hc lay there hopelessly down
cast. Tho evening shadows fell, tho
darkness came, the crickets and the
frogs began their melancholy chorus,
the butler announced dinner, but to il