The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-09-12

this, and many wise mothers had
looked on Van Spoke as not only suita-
bic but as a most desirable parti for
their manageable daughters.
AS George approached his uncle the
old man greeted him kindly. "Well,"
he cried, $50 you have been out for
spin. too. have just got back from
run over to Springer's-a good twelve
mile run. Cooling off little; then for
a cold plunge"
Van Spoke threw himself into a
chair and for some moments vouch-
safed no reply. Then he laid one hand
gently on his uncle'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 senti-
mental now" interrupted Mr.. Tires.
I'm not feeling that way by any
means. Old Springer and have ar
ranged meeting at last. l rode over
there to-day with our neighbor, Miss
Fellows. Now. don't look concerned.
It's nothing serious, assure you. She
and We're children together. and sim
ply went out for little spin. But as
l was saying"
Uncle Reuben, 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 l have been
trying to fix it for years. and we had
trouble over the handicap. We settled
all that. Road race-two miles-to-
morrow--one hundred dollars side. I
give him minutes start on me, as he
is five years older than l. Pray what
do you 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
and loud.
Uncle" began George, 81 want to
marry Ethel Wheeling, as have told
you before. have come again to ask
your consent"
Reuben Tires at onne became seri-
Gus. He leaned forward and replied
earnestly:
my boy, you know what have al
ready told you. l eau have no
nephew of mine tying himself for life
to light-headed creature who rides a
Whizzer. l can have no heir of mine
daily risking his life and limb for the
sake of woman. What does she say:
Has she consented to give up her
|. folly?"
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 as to ride
} Buster. Uncle Reuben, love you
like father, but Ethel is all the
world to me; withdraw your hard con
dition."
"Enoughw cried the old man
springing to his feet, his face flushed
with anger. The impudent woman
1 tell you, George Won Spoke, it ha'
, long been my desire to leave my
, fortune to found the Tires Home fol
, Crippled Wheelmen-a lasting monu
5 men. to my memory, to my beneti
| CtuCt. VII your uSCouiie h"'S
given up this, the darling project o
my olG age. Go; marry the woman i
you will; marry her and not a cent o
e money will you get. l will cut off you
t very allowance. Choose, choose TO
: yourself"
= Mr.. Tires turned upon his heel ant
strobe into the house, leaving Georg
a Van Spoke choking with grief AM
anger.
Van Spoke thought Of suicide Blu
Il that would not win him Ethel. ii
S thought of giving up his fortune an
n marrying her, penniless as he was
e But she would not have him under sue
G conditions. Torn by conflicting ENC
S tions, rage and grief, love and hate
z wild envy OF Sprockett, mad condemna
d ticn of self, he buried his head in hi
y hands and wept. Several hours passed
but still he lay there hopelessly dowr
!, cast. The evening shadows fell, tn
/, darkness came, the crickets and tn
frogs began their melancholy chorus
n the butler announced dinner, but to
II all he was oblivious.
~ Then suddenly, as comes the flash
II the lighthouse lamp across the storm
l. deep to the belated seaman, came a
ID idea. The race OF tomorrow! 1t wa
o as though the sun had suddenly al
y peared in the heavens and dispelle
the darkness. The blackness OF d.
e SPAR was gone. Ethel would be hi
o. And Uncle Reuben-pshaw! He ha
Is stood many harder fall. The dee
r gutter was the place that would serv
., him-right at the foot of the Ion
"a slope leading to the head Of BarnacI
~ bay.
u The moon was sinking low in the Yves
u and the earth was wrapped in darl
, ness. The great house, unconscious
~ the danger which threatened its ma
ter, lay silent in sleep when Geora
Van Spoke silently crept from n
chamber and made his way to tn