Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-16
RIDING FOR A FALL.


Even tho slightest breeze that took
the curl out of thor bangs as they
sat on the piazza of the O'Shun
House seemed to invite Florence and
her chaperoning aunt to go for q
spin. But that good fellowship nee,
essary to an enjoyable trip did not
exist because Florence had well
founded suspicion that her dear aunt
had that morning intercepted u let
ter from Fred Lumsdon, and the
aunt was feeling that her wholly
unprecedented lecture on the evanes-
cenco Of misplaced love and tho dur
ability of American dollars was not
being properly appreciated. 1t is
probable that III spite of the glorious
weather nothing more exciting than
an ordinary family quarrel would
have happened had it not boon for
the efferveScing energy of Frod, who
appeared on tho scono in that unex-
pectod way peculiar to true lovers
Good morning, ladies, he called,
with an effort at boldness that only
made the blood mount to his checks.
Beautiful day-or-isn't it?"
Beautiful! I'm so glad to see
you, said Florence, with an accent
of sincerity that was perhaps en-
phasi2ed in order to spite her aunt
Perfectly charming, said the
aunt in the twinkling tone that re-
minds ono of the chink of the ice in
glass of frappo tea.
II did myself tho honor to call on
you, " Frod explained as no leaned
his wheel against the hotel steps and
took chair near Florence, because
l am going west tomorrow. / have
secured a position as civil engineer
with Western railway company
that Is projecting n branch line and
as l had day to spare 1 thought I'd
come down and bid you goodby"
80 kind of you, am sure" said
the dear aunt. II am so glad-for
your sake, Frod-that you have this
position, for l think young man
should beign his lite as soon after
leaving college as possible. / have
no doubt that i'll few years you
will be railway magnate.
She ratified on volubly in this vein
for couple of minutes, and all the
While her words had the glib sound
OF wine being poured out of mar
row ncckcd bottle. 1t is note that
you catch only in the best society,
and it means that tho accomplished
lady who is talking is all the time
thinking hard about something else.
The tenor of the aunt's thoughts
were as follows:
mustn't allow them to be alone
together know what these part.
ings mean. He has come down to
propose to her, and she-the little
hussy-will accept him. If look
her in her room, it will cause talk,
and I can't keep track of them ali
day in these corridors. Oh, what
shall I do?"
When the light finally broke. a
practiced ear could have detected q
change in her tone as she exclaimed
Enthusiastically:
Really, Fred. I am glad you have
come down, for have been planning
for several days to take party from
here to the little casino they have at
Clam Shell on the Sea, about Ii
miles down the coast. We can spin
down there in a couple of hours,
have some refreshments and then
spin back in time to catch your train
for New York"
They will be along with the other
young people, she thought to her,
self, land will be kept moving so that
they can have a long chat, and, any.
way, it is hard to be confidential
on a public road at midday"
The case didn't strike the young
people in exactly tho same light, and
they accepted tho situation gra-
ciously.
The aunt FASTENED to canvass the
guests at the hotel to get volunteers
for the trip and introduced Fred to
so many charming young ladies dur
ing the next few minutes that he
was embarrassed beyond words.
Presently the party was organized
and made the start amid much light
hearted laughter and badinage. The
good, kind chaperon brought up the
rear, feeling triumphant and self
satisfied.
IF they can pedal and propose at
the same time, she thought to her
self, they are cleverer than I think. +"
For the first mile the crowd was
we'll punched, and nothing hap
pened. At length Fred found him
self at Florence's side and managed
to stammer:
Don't you feel you d like to spin
a little faster?"
A glance showed that she under
stood, and a moment later they we're
quietly drawing away from the
party
"Hello!" exclaimed the inevitable
idiot. Have we scorohers with usr
Well, feel like doing little scoroh
ing myself"
With that they all struck into g
gait that left the chaperon behind,
but overhauled the runaways. That
scheme was undoubtedly failure.
Let us fall behind, then, sug-
gested, Fred. After a slight hesita-
ton, for she did not wish every one
to see what her feelings were, Flor
ence slowed up, and soon she and
Fred were abreast of the dear, good
aunt, who had noticed their ruse and
was following, painting, but tri-