Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-15

Jncre. The old man, thinking tho
dash was made to escape him, Jumped
from his machine, and so the young
fellow got pcrceptible advantage in
the race. He pushed the cycle before
him to the path and sprang on it.
Now, Old Scud," he shouted, "let's
see who reaches the highway first"
Although Scudnmore was not old his
powers on the bicycle were nothing to
those Of the cashier. Tho young man
reached the gate long way ahead Of
him, and when Scudnmorc passed into
the highroad his speedy opponent was
nowhere to be seen. Old Scudnmore
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 unbcarable, 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 Mt once, or, as
your father said, there is no chance Of
my ever seeing you again, If we don't"
But" protested the girl, 'how arc
we to go? You can't take me on your
cycle, and haven't one Of my own,
and couldn't ride if I had. II we
walk, father will surely overtake us,
and he will surely inquire for me the
moment he gets home"
"I'll tell you what to do,' said the
young man, who was a person Of re-
source, you go to the house as quickly
Us you can. Ill go back to tho 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. I will join
you there, and after thet we will
chance it."
But" said the girl, tive are sure to
meet father between the town and
here"
mot if we turn down Durwood's
e. -
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 or
never, Edna, If you care anything for
me-"
Edna protested that she cared every
thing. The young man went back to
the portcr's lodge. He concealed his
bicycle, and then waited with much
Impotence for the girl. At last she
came, driving a horse that was cele.
brated for its speed. Young Sherwin
sprang up beside her
Let me have the rcins," he said.
NO, no." protested the girl, I'm
sure l can drive over so much better
than you can, and besides, IL we meet
father he cannot accuse me of stealing
the horse, while it 10 just possible he
might make such charge against you,
if we arc 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. He had learned from passers-
by that no one had passed on 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,
cycled 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 mag.
ined. He was looking for cyclist,
and SO paid little attention to the
traps he met.
There is just one chance in mil.
lion," said young sherwin to Edna,
when she, with terror. recognized her
father on his wheel, 'and that is he
may not recognize us. Anyhow, there
will be race for it. It's too late tc
turn back. Edna, SO whip up the horse
and let us win if we can"
1t is a curious thing that impression.
arc sometimes left on the brain as q
| photograph is left on an undeveloped
plate. The young people at first
thought they had passed the old man
unrecognized. He was bending his
head over his work, and putting hit
best ticks on the treadles. He merely
glanced ut the cart, and would have
asked II they had seen cyclist, only
he noticed it was lady who was driv
ing.
So without paying any attention t.
the pair ho rang his bell sharply t.
warn them to keep to their own side O
the road and passed them like a cy
clone. But as the old man worked hi
way along. the picture, or snap shot
as it were, left on his brain began t.
develop, and lie recognized a famil
iarity in the horse and trap he hat
passed. lie was half milo beyond
them when it flashed into his mint
that it was his own horse and vehicle
he had met. lie got off his wheel ane
looked after them. The girl was urg