The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-09-07

this, and many wise mothers had
looked on Van Spoke as not only suita-
bic but as a most desirable parfi for
their mnrriageable daughters.
AS George approached his uncle the
old man greeted him kindly. WELL"
he cried, $50 you have been out for a
spin. too. have just got back from a
run over to Springer's-a good twelve
mile run. Cooling off little; then for
cold plunge"
Van Spoke threw himself into q
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 appre-"
Come, come, George, don't get senti-
mental now" interrupted Mr.. Tires.
'''m not feeling that way by any
means. Old Springer and 1 have ar
ranged a ,meeting at last. Irode 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. But as
was saying"
Uncle Reuben, 1 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 / 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.
give him minutes start on me, as he
Is five years older than /. Pray what
do you think of your old uncle now"
Mr.. Tires clnpped his nephew gayly
on the shoulder and then threw him
self back in his chair and laughed long
and loud.
"Uncle," began George, II want to
marry Ethel Wheeling, as l have told
you before. l have come again to ask
your consent"
Reuben Tires at once became seri
earnestly:
my boy, you know what have al
ready told you. can have nc
nephew Of mine tying himself for life
to a light-headed creature who rides d
Whizzer. / 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 il
constant fear of being widowed. She
will not have husband who, as she
puts il, is SO lacking in mind as to ride
a buster. Uncle Reuben, love yor
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 to leave my
fortune to found the Tires Home fol
Crippled Wheelmen-a lasting monu
ment to my memory, to my benefi
cence. On your account alone have
given up this, the darling project o
my OLD age. Go; marry the woman i
you will; marry her and not cent o
money will you get. l will cut off your
very allowance. Choose, choose fol
yourself"
Mr.. Tires turned upon his heel ant
strobe into the house, leaving George
Van Spoke choking with grief ant
anger.
Van Spoke thought Of suicide. Blu
that would not win him Ethel. HI
thought of giving up his fortune ant
marrying her, penniless as he was
But she would not have him under sucf
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 hi:
hands and wept. Several hours passed
but still he lay there hopelessly down
cast. The evening shadows fell, the
darkness came, the crickets and the
frogs began their melancholy chorus
the butler announced dinner, but to il
all he was oblivious.
Then suddenly, as comes the flash o.
the lighthouse lamp across the stormy
deep to the belated seaman, came NJ
idea. The race of tomorrow 1t was
as though the sun had suddenly ap
peared in the heavens and dispelled
the darkness. The blackness Of de
spair\ was gone. Ethel would be his
And Uncle Reuben-pshaw! He had
stood many a harder fall. The deeI
gutter was the place that would serve
him-right at the foot of the long
slope leading to the head of Barnaclt
bay.
The moon was sinking low in the wes
and the earth was wrapped in dark
ness. The great house, unconscious o.
the danger which threatened its mas
ter, lay silent in sleep when Georg.
Van Spoke silently crept from his