The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-17


and be as innocent as lamb!" said
he to himself, with wicked chuckle.
1t was new business for Kent, but
his excitement and angry thoughts
were trying to stife conscience.
Amy was looking out through her
closed blinds and wondered what
Kent was doing. She had heared
little of the conversation with Cecil,
and could see that something was
troubling Kent, but she had learned
that it was wisest sometimes to be
quiet and wait for developments.
By and by, the planting done to
Kent's satisfaction-no, hardly to his
satisfaction, for there was a very I'M
comfortable feeling of meanness in
his heart-he went into the house
again, got his bat, and sauntered
away toward the ball field where he
knew there would be SOMEBODY for
game.
When he was fairly out of sight
Amy came out to see if she could un-
ravel the mystery of Kent's strange
actions. She stopped down just
where he had been at work so busily
and her keen eyes espied the new
sort of seed that had been planted.
"Tacks!" she exclaimed. "Why,
Kent Scovil, how could you be SO
mean? I'd just like to know who it
is you are trying to fix You'll be
ashamed of this in less than an hour,
l know. II just look out that no.
body's tire is punctured, anyway"
and the faithful little sister carefully
gathered up every one of the tacks
and threw them under the piazza
where they could do no harm.
"There, now! You'll be very glad
of that when you cool off little, I'm
sure," she said, as she proceeded to
weed her flower garden.
1t was hot in the ballfield, most of
the fellows were preparing for next
day, the glorious Fourth, and Kent's
conscience was very uneasy, 80 after
an uncomfortable hour he turned to-
wards home.
When he came in sight of the
house there was Cliff Lee with his
new bicycle standing by the gate
talking to Amy. He was pointing
out all the beauties of his new wheel,
and Amy was enthusiastically ad-
miring it,
Hello, old felloww he called, as
Kent appeared. In spite of his cher
ished wrongs, Kent could not help
responding to the CHEEKY greeting.
His heart gave sudden throb as he
saw his friend standing upon the
very spot where he had planned to
revenge himself, and he was relieved
to see that no damage had yet been
done, but, oh! if he should move his
wheel an inch, it might be ruined.
His huried manner was observed
as he came towards them, but Cliff
continued in a joking Manner
"Here, Kent what are you doing,
leaving your new wheel outside the
gate, the day before the Fourth too,
when somebody might hook it,
Come and take care of your prop
erty."
20, get out, Cliff! Idon't feel like
| joking on that subject. I'm pretty
sore over it," returned Kent, testify.
Don't blame you bit, old fellow
l felt worse than you do till Uncle
Joe was bound to mend matters, and
gave me the chance of trying your
new bike and riding it over here"
"My new bikel" exclaimed Kent.
"What are you talking abouta l
heard you had new one, and could
ride pretty we'll"
"This bicycle is the property of
Kent Scovil, if you please, presented
by his Uncle Joe, and delivered by
the hands of his humble servant"
said Cliff, bowling low in mock humil-
ity.
"Why-why. Cliff! l don't under
stand. Do you really mean Uncle
Joe gave it to met" gasped Kent, al
most too much agitated to speak.
why, yes, that's the plain English
of it. If you know a fellow by the
name of Kent Scovil. he's the owner
of this bicycle, and he'd better take
care of it or l may walk off with it, /"
returned Cliff, patting him reassur-
ingly on the back.
By this time Kent had fairly recov-
cred himself, and in terror lest the
bicycle should be moved over the
dangerous spot, he quickly walked
around Cliff, seized it, and placed it
it safely inside the gate.
| Clif IauOhed and ioked him ahout