The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-09-13

this, and many wise mothers had
looked on Van Spoke as not only suita-
bse but as most desirable J,1rfi for
their manageable daughters
AsGeorgc approached his uncle the
Old man greeted him kindly WELL"
he cried. 80 you have been out for
spin, too. have just got back from a
run over to Springer's-a good twelve
mile run. Cooling of little; then for
a cold plunge"
Van spoke threw himself into a
chair and for some moments vouch-
safcd no reply. Then he laid one hand
gently on his uncle's knee and said:
Uncle, you have been almost a father
To me. and ! want you To know how
deeply | 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 | lave ar
ranged "A meeting at last ! rode over
there to-day with our neighbor, 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. I;ut as
l was saying"
Uncle Reuben. l have some thing
concerning which wish to-"
Just wait until tell you about
this affair we went 10 ~pringcrs and
succeeded in arranging a meeting for
Tomorrow. lou know have been
trying 10 fix it for years. and we had
trouble over the handicap. We settled
all that. Road race two miles-to-
Inorrow-one hundred dollars "A side.
give him minutes start on me, as he
is five years older than /. Pray what
DO you think % your old uncle now3'
! Mr.. Tires clapped his nephew gayly
on the shoulder and then threw him
self back in his chair and laughed long
aud loud.
Uncle. :" began George. II want TO
marry Ethel Wheeling. as have told
you before. have come again To ask
your consent"
Reuben Tires at once became Sri
Gus. lie 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 a light-hcaded creature who rides a
Whixzcr | can have no heir of mine
daily rsking 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
constant fear of being widowed. She
will not have "A husband who. as she
puts il. IS SO lacking in mind as to ride
Duster. Uncle Reuben. love you
like father, but Ethel Is all the
world To me; withdraw Your hard con-
dition
Enough cried the old man.
springing TO his feet. his face flushed
with anger. THE impudent woman.
/ tell you. George Won Spoke. it has
long been my desire - leave my
Crippled Wheelmen-a lasting monu
men. to my memory, To my benef-
cence. On your account alone have
given up this. the darling project of
my OLD age. Go; marry the woman IL
you will. marry her and not 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
tions. rage and grief. love and hate.
wild envy Of Sprockett. mad condemna-
ton Of self. he buried his head in his
hands and wept. Several hours passed,
but still he lay there hopclessly down
east The evening shadows fell, the
darkness came. the crckets and the
frogs began their melancholy chorus.
the butler announced dinner, but to it
all he was oblivious-
Then suddenly. as comes the flash Of
the lighthouse lamp across the stormy
deep to the belated seaman, came an
idea. The race of tomorrow. 1t WAS
a. though the sun had suddenly APP
peared in the heavens and dispelled
the darkness The blackness Of de-
SPAR was gone. Ethel would be his
And Uncle Reuben-pshaw. He had
stood many a harder fall. The deep
gust was the place that would serve
him-right at the foot of the long
slope leading TO the head of Barnacle
bay.
The moon was sinking low in the west
aud the earth was wrapped in dark
ness. The great house. unconscious OF
the danger which threaten ned its mas
ter. lay silent in sleep when George
Van spoke silently crept from his
CHAMBER and made his way to the
room in the distant part of the house
here the bicycles were kept