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


a student has no right to mako love
to n girl whose friends are ambitious
| for her future unless he Is heir to
millions. Fred was not, so, of
course. he was Ineligible in every
way. When he found that both at
tompts to be alone with Florence
and tell her what was in his heart
were unsuccessful, no was almost in
despair. And tho dear chaporon
grow happier every minute and
prattled gayly about tho weather
and scenery. In tho meantime the
soorohers slowed up, as no one had
any real object in Keeping up the
pace until tho party was united.
1t was then that an idea occurred
to Fred that proved that he has on
gineoring skill that will enable him
to rise in tho world some day. III
tell you what let's do" he called
out. Lots scoroh from here to tho
casino and have the last man who
gets there pay for tho refrcshmcnt,
and lot the first lady to arrive be
given prize of hcr own choosing :"
He had gaugod tho enthusiasm Of
the party to niCOty, and before the
good chaperon could protest effect
lively all the young people had
grippod their handle bars and leaned
forward and commenced pcdaling
for dear life. They drow away from
her rapidly and wcro coasting down
n long incline before she had time to
evon guess at the significance of
Frcd's sChomu. Soon turn in the
road took the whole party from hor
view, and she chowed the wholly
bitter cud of reflection. Tho best
laid plans of mice, mon and Chapcr-
ons arc very apt to go aglcy from
time to time.
Fred s heart rOSo correspondence
ms he saw how his schume was
working He calculated that they
wcro travelling at about twice the
rate of speed of the chaperon, and
that within half an hour thcy would
be far enough ahead for his purpose.
Florence didn't understand exactly
what his plan was, but she kept the
pace along with the foremost. She
appeared to advantage on tho wheel,
and as the color rose with tho exer-
ton he thought he had never soon a
lovelier sight Her 1.-the, athletic
figure seemed to swim through the
air with that peculiar grace that the
poets ascribe to the gait of goddess
es. Though he could, if he wished,
have scorched ahead and distanced
her with ease, he could not bear to
have her out of his sight So it was
soon evident that he would have to
pay for the refreshments. Up hill
and down they went without abat-
ing their speed until tho chaperon
was probably three or four miles be-
hind. Presently they coasted down
hill into little valley where the
road WIS wooded on both sides, and
Fred saw that the opportune mo-
ment had come. Guiding his wheel
until he was near enough to Flor
ence, he said:
"Wouldn't you like to rest for q
few minutes?"
She made no response, but kept
right on.
1--WE have both lost the wagers
anyhow" he argued.
Her only notice of his remarks
was slight frightening of color.
And there is something want
very much to say to you"
Her color increased.
Miss Camden-Florencer
Il mustn't, " she half gasped. 81
did wrong to run away from aunt. '
well, wait for her, and l will too. ,
mo"
The truth was that Florence's
maiden modesty was beginning tc
assert itself, and she had been think
ing that in attempting to rush ahead
with Fred and then to fall behind
she had been too forward. Poor
Fred! In his college course he haG
been taught to deal with the laws OF
nature and not with the whims O,
woman, and he was almost non
plused. Already the others of the
party were passing over the crest OF
the hill, and they were in danger OF
leaving the little valley without any
thing being accomplished. But still
Florence kept scorohing along. Ever
despair adds to the resourcefulnes
OF some men, and suddenly the line
of Fred's face hardened, and h
raced past her up the hill Whe,
he had gagged the distance and di
rection accurately, he turned anc
waved his hand at her as if wavinl
goodby, while his wheel went di
rectly toward log that lay by tn,
roadside. A moment later hi
struck and whirled through the air
entangled with his wheel, with hi!
arms apd legs flying like wind
mill. He was picking himself up a.
she passed. She wavered. TIL,
wheels wabbled as if she were coins
to alight, but she Strengthened VI
and disappeared over the crest of thu
hill.
His despair was complete. He
didn't care if he had ruined his
wheel or shattered his anatomy
His heart, however, was the only
part of him that was injured, and il
was rapidly sinking out of it's nor
NAL position. Ho had certainly boon
mistaken. She did not care for him
He hadn' t had such fall in his life
and yot she had left him there tt
die, for all she knew. OF course hi
had intended to fall, but the mex