The Van Buren press., 1895-10-19

do 10. fool as the girl is. she will have
nothing more to say to you.n
The young man realized tho force Of
this. and he walked along the path
silent, while old Scudam ore cycled
slowly along by his side.s When they
were still some distance from the gate
that led into the main road Sherwin
made sudden dash into the bushes,
and drew cycle which was concealed
there. The old man, thinking the
dash was made to escape him. jumped
from his machine, and 80 the young
fellow got a perceptible advantage in
the race. He pushed the cycle before
him to the path and sprang on It,
"Now, Old Scud," he shouted, 'lets
see who reaches the highway first"
Although Scudamore was not old his
powers on the bicycle were nothing to
those OF the cashier. The young man
reached the gate long way ahead OF
him, and when Scudamore passed into
the highroad his speedy opponent was
nowhere to be seem Old Scudamore
knew the young man must have taken
the road to the village, for the other
way led directly to his own house, and
it was not likely the cashier would
have taken that direction.
The truth was, however, that Sher-
win had not gone into the main road
at all, but had concealed himself be-
hind the porter's lodge. The porter,
being under notice of dismissal, was
reckless He hated Old Scud and was
friendly to the lovers. The moment
Scudamore entered the highroad young
Sherwin sprang on his bicycle and
went like lightning up the path again
until he overlook the girl He quickly
explained to her what had happened
and said:
"You see, my dear Edna. life for you
will be perfectly unbearable now that
he has found it out. There is nothing
for us but to escape to the Scottish
border as quickly as we can and get
married. We must go at once, or, as
your father said, there ID no chance Of
my ever seeing you again, II we don't" "
"But," protested the girl, "how are
we to go? You can't take me on your
cycle, and I haven't one Of my own,
and couldn't ride if had. II we
walk, father will surely overtake US,
and he will surely inquire for me the
moment he gets home"
..IIiiii H - eii=joa H Old wfrst to do. said the
young man. who was person Of re-
source, you go to the house as quickly
as you can. Ill go back to the porter's
lodge, conceal my cycle, and wait for
you there. Order out the dog cart,
and put what things you urgently
need in it. Have the fastest horse in
the stable harnessed to the dog cart
Drive down to the lodge. | will join
you there, and after that we will
chance it."
!. "But," said the girl, 1--WE are sure to
meet father between the town and
here"
Mot If we turn down Durwood's
lane. If we can get that far we are all
right. He will never think of looking
in that direction. The great thing is
speed, SO get down to the porter's
lodge as quickly as you can. You see,
nobody at the house suspects any thing,
and it will not be difficult, but after
to-day you will find that you will be
kept a close prisoner. 1t is now OF
never, Edna. II you care anything fol
me-.
Edna protested that she cared every.
thing. The young man went back tc
the porter's lodge. He concealed hii
bicycle, and then waited with. much
impatience for the girl. At last she
came, driving a horse that was cele
brated for its speed. Young Sherwir
sprang up beside her.
Let me have the reins," he said.
mo, no." protested the girl, I'm
sure l can drive ever so much better
than you can, and besides, II we meet
father he cannot accuse me Of stealing
the horse, while it is just possible he
might make such charge against you,
if we are caught"
They reached the turning and got
into the lane without being observed,
and SO felt reasonably certain of sue
cess. But, alas! they had counted not
on the uncertain ways OF Old Scud.
He had cycled down into the town and
found nothing of the man he was pur.
suing 4. He had learned from passers-
by that no one had passed on a cycle
| for more than an hour, SO he made up
his mind that the young man would
come by the lane, which, though the
longest way round, was the safest
from observation. Accordingly Old
Scud, without waiting in the town,
cysled out through the place to where
the lane joined the main road. He
felt sure he would meet his enemy
there, and his prediction was indeed
verified, but in way he little imag
ined. He was looking for cyclist
and so paid little attention to the
traps he met.
There is just one chance in a mil
lion,n said young Sherwin to Edna
when she, with terror, recognized hel
father on his wheel. and that is he
may not recognize US. Anyhow, there
will be race for it. It's too late te
turn back, Edna, SO whip up the horst
and let us win if we can"
1t is curious thing thatimpression'
] are sometimes left on the brain as {
photograph is left on an undevelopec
plate. The young people at frs
thought they had passed the old mar
1