Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-10-04

bered with joy that the last three
miles of the race was lony incline to
the bridge at the border ii ho could
not overtake them before, ne was sure
to do SO at that stage OF the race.
by all the gods" cried young Sher-
win at that moment, ''hes after MS.
Give me the reins and the whip, Edna;
we must get over the bridge first, if
we kill the horse in doing So"
The young girl, with cry of fear,
gave the reins into her lovers hands.
In spite of all efforts of the horse
they could not once shake off old
Scudamore, nor yet could he overtake
them, but young Sherwin realized as
did old Scudamore, that on the long
decline to the bridge he would come
up with them, even If they kept their
horse on the gallop.
When the clipping 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 mile behind them trudg-
ing up the hill as stubbornly and APP
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, flinging down gold piece
"NcveI mind the change, but be quick
about it."
Three arm loads the young man
took out to 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 another and an
other and another.
why, my poor Reginald, what are
you doing that for?' cried the girl.
| "This is for the benefit of the old
mans pneumatic tires" answered
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.
lie did not stop at the top of the hill,
but sprang at once on his machine, and
came down the incline like lightning
express Reginald gazed anxiously al
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 the in
furiated cyclist was gaining on them
1.-THE tires must be cut to pieces by
this time" he muttered through hi.
clenched teeth, and he began agar
vigorously to smash bottles. No pneu
matte tire that was ever made car
stand a 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 t.
the other, and at last slow up and dis
mount.
The excited young man gave vel
of triumph and wa red an empty bottle
over his head as he saw old Scudamort
let his machine drop in despair to the
ground, while he himself sat down OF
the second milestone to wipe his heated
brow
They had been married more thar
half an hour when a detected man
trundling bicycle whose tires hung
in ribbons, entered the Scottish village
A smiling young man went forth t,
meet him.
ITS all right, father-in-law, HI
said. II have made inquiries and fn'
that they can put new tires ON bicy
cles in this place, which one wouldn'
have expected. have sent back 10
of men with brooms to sweep tn
broken glass off the road. You mus
be somewhat fatigued with your loni
ride, so let me offer you lift to tn
hall My wife will be pleased to driv
you, and will see the new tires pu
on the machine and will ride it u
there this evening.
, Although your temper is said to b
, bad, have always admired your CON
mon sense, and assure you that it j
the only thing to do. As Edna is you
only daughter, ami as you and will
have to settle our little difficultie
, some time, let US do it now, for tw
grown men like ourselves don't wan
to furnish gossip and scandal for thi
gossipy neighborhood."
: II suppose it's the only thing to dc
, you villain" said old Scudamore.
, 1T is, indeed" replied the villain
, Nov go to the parlor on the first foo
, OF the hotel and talk real nicely to m
wife, while take the bicycle to tn
, shop. Detroit Free Press.
A CLEVER CAPTURE.