Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-04


pite. The meeting with the curate or
his bicycle took place two days later.
Mr.. Armitage chanced to be standing
at his study window and saw Miss Med
dlebury coming up the garden.
II have been Shocked" she said,
positively shocked. And am sure
you will be when I tell you that I have
just met Mr.. Stone OH bicycle.
81 don't see any harm in it," rejoin-
ed the vicar, who did not look in the
least perturbed.
ri am surprised. The clergyman that
would ride bicycle can have no respect
for his cloth, no desire to gain the good
will of his congregation. will not
countenance it. MIR. Stone must give II
up or shall be compelled to take pew
in St. Marks / should feel quite un-
comfortable / really could not sit un-
der him."
| st. Marks was the wealthiest parish
in Runniford. If she left St. John g,
she would be sure to take her 81, 50O
with her, and this was a contingency
to be avoided at almost any cost.
II trust you have acted upon the hint
I gave you concerning Nelly?"
"Well, no." he answered. II don't
see how can interfere al present.
Miss Meddlebury took herself off with
the air of a victor. The vicar watched
her down the garden and then went to
his daughters room to unburden his
mind.
"Of all the unreasonable mischief
makers I ever met that woman is the
worstp' he cried. "She is indeed well
named Meddlebury.'
"Papa" exclaimed the girl, looking
up in surprise.
"Miss Meddlebury has just called, "
he went on. "She wants me to put my
foot down OH Stones bicycle. "
II didn't know that he had one," she
rejoined, with a blush which did not
escape the wears notice.
"Neither did l. How can / tell him
that he mustn't ride bicycle here?
don't know how he will take it. BE
might resign"
81 hope he will not do that, said
the girl quickly.
"He is not likely to do So Mr.. Stone
Is not man to allow any one to dictate
to him. But she has threatened to leave
St. Johns. You know what that would
mean to the poor next winter. l wish
you would speak to him"
The mere suggestion dyed Nelly's
cheeks still more vivid red.
"Oh, no, nol' she cried. II could
not. Whatever made you think Of that9"
miss Meddlebury says he is in love
with you" he answered slyly. IF that
is so he wouldn't be likely to take Of
fens:."
"If he is, it has nothing to do with
Miss Meddlebury, she rejoined with
asperity. "aow did she learn it, Why
did she tell you?''
Miss Meddlebury has the eyes Of a lynx.
She told me as an inducement to send
Mr.. Stone away. She thought I ought
to be warned. You know she considers
that every curate should be middle aged
and as plain as pikestaff. "
"Papa, let Miss Meddlebury leave
st. Johns. We should all be happier.
And perhaps the poor people wouldn't
suffer much for the want of her 81 500.
I could go around and collect for the
fun"
"No, my dear, we must bear with
her, for the sake Of the widows and IA
therless. I vii, send a note to Mr..
Stone asking hira to call this evening.
When he comes, we will talk it over"
Mr.. Stone never had prior engage
ment when asked to spend an evening
at the vicarage-at least he never plead
ed one. 1t was rather late when he ar
rived, however, for he had been sitting
with a sick woman and did not receive
the wears note until z o'clock. He
came on the offending bicycle, which
be left in the garden.
The vicar introduced the bicycle al.
most at once. stating exactly what had
passed between himself and Miss Med
dlebury.
"I am rather surprised" said the Gu
rate, smiling. "But you did quite right
to say that I would give it up, sir.
would give up almost anything rather
than that O member of the church
should be offended. Miss Meddlebury' {
81, 500 does not influence me. | should
act Just the same if she hadn't penny
to bestow in charity
Nelly gave him quick glance OF ad'
miration. The vicar rose from his chair
and grasped him by the hand.
That's the true Christian spirit
he cried II am glad.
"I am sorry that Miss Meddlebury
does uot like me-" Mr.. Stone went or
after pause. II must try to win bel
over. AS for the bicycle, as came here
on it I had better ride it home, but
shall probably get rid Of it tomorrow. y
The clock was striking II when the
vicar suddenly pushed the board away
exclaiming:
Dear mel I had no idea it was so
late"
MIR. Stone rose at once and took his
leave To reach his lodgings it was
necessary to pass Miss Meddlebury's
fine house, which lay back q consider
able distance from the road. AS he went
by he fancied he heard shout. Apply
ing the brake, he dismounted and lis
tened. He had not been mistaken. Some
one at Lines was calling for the police.