The midland journal., 1896-06-12

CT but few minutes. She had cut out
o lively pace and overtaken Ainsworth
while he wrestled on the mountain with
the refractory trace.
The young mans admiration for the
girls pluck was so great that he was
more than half inclined to call her back;
but as he hesitated she passed out of
hail, so he let the horse out, and by ten
minutes sharp driving overlook the cy-
clist. AS he saw her whirling along
in the white road, now brilliantly IL
Illuminated by the risen moon, he said
to himself:
"There's no use trying to head Off
girl like that; I'll do the decent thing
by her. She's bound to reach Jonesville
in time anyhow, and I might as we'll
have the pleasure of her company"
When he got close enough he called,
"Miss Lumsden, can't see you going
on alone surrender. Won't you get
into the. buggy?"
She was in the shadow just then,
and he could see the shaft Of scorn
that was shot from her eyes; but there
was no mistaking the tone In which she
replied:
'Thanl1s; but I'm doing quito nice
ly. I'm not one bit afraid, and it's just
cool enough to make the exercise de-
lghtful. Please drive on, and don't
mind me-"
He knew she meant it, and after a
few unavailing words of remonstrance
he pushed briskly on, but determined
A. Iau %ho4 hn
let her set the pace, urging the horse
when she forged ahead, and slackening
speed when she did.
A very few miles Of this kind Of
travel were enough for the bay. He was
homeward bound, and decidedly averse
to poking. After several abortive at
tempts to break away, he finally settled
matters by shying at o spectre-like tree
that lifted its bare white arms across
the road, and started down steep hill
at rattling pace. The frightened
driver In vain hauled and tugged upon
the lines, and within half mile the
wayward beast was master. The end
came swiftly. Near the bottom of the
hill Ainsworth was tossed out, landing
anything but gently ON pile of stones,
while the nag sped merrily homeward.
There came to the lucltless journalist
one sharp spasm Of pain and then
merciful Inconsistencies. When he
presently returned to anguish and the
world again, sweet-toned voice was
asking:
"Are you much hurt? Can you
move?" His fair rival had again over
taken him.
"Ugh! my arm!" was all he had the
grace to answer. When he tried to
raise his right arm it fell back like
lead.
Miss Lumsden gently touched the
limb and saidi ''1'm afraid it's
broken"
Ainsworth groaned acquiescence.
"Just lie perfectly quiet while go
and explore. There must be. house
near somewhere.
He~was far past remonstrance, so off
she went.
In less than IS minutes the girl was
back again with horse and wagon, q
stout farmers lad and flask. She
made the injured man swallow little
of the contents of the aforementioned
find, and then she and the boy helped
him to lie down on the straw in the bot
tom Of the vehicle.
The bicycle was lifted in, Miss Lums-
den followed, the boy took the reins
and the eventful journey Of the two
journalists was resumed, this time slow.
ly, for Ainsworth was not in condition
to stand much jarring and the wagon
boasted no springs. For the first half
mile no one spoke. The Phonograph
girl sat beside the sufferer, tanning him
with sheets Of copy paper. Ainsworth
was silent, save when an exceptionally
bad jolt forced @ groan. AT last he said'
Indeed, Miss Lumsden, I don't de-
serve this. I was @ brute; know I
was. I'm afraid all this delay will make
you late, and you certainly deserve to
catch the press after all you've gone
through. Leave me at the nearest farm
house and drive ahead fast"
"Now, do keep quiet, Mr.. Aims
worth, or you'll worry yourself into a
fever and me into temper. It's only
ten now, and the boy says we can make
1t by 1870. You did perfectly right in
refusing my absurd request; i never
should have asked such a thing"
"But" he persisted, "I want you to
know that tried to keep near you
but"
1.-THE horse didn't share your benevo-
lent intentions. He's In his stable by
this time, I suppose. There, now, don't
talk, or we shall be Obliged to treat you
like Jonah and throw you overheard"
He tried to say more; to tell how-sorry
he was, and how grateful, and what o
wretch he had beeni and between pain
and weakness, and the bliss of being
ministered to by such an angel, there
Is no telling what he might not have
said. But Miss Lumsden was as firm
Us O hospital nurse and compelled si-
lence.
When at three a. m. they reached
Jonesville Ainsworth was assisted into
the interviewer office, where, between
twitches and groans, he managed to
dictate his story to typewriter. Then,
not O moment to soon, he walked up @
doctor and had his arm set
His companion turned in her manu-
script, and then went home and tainted
as fitting finale.
But the Jonesville papers had good
stories of the Arnold affair next morn
Ing. The Photographs city editor
thought theirs was the BEST and was
n 7