Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-12-03
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UNLICENSED -.
-. PREMISES.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
~ CLNRENCE EOOK.

! HAD watched her for some moments
as nay 'bu, rolled slowly down Iicca-
dilly, and was greatly taken by her up
pearaucc. The pavement, and the car
ria2es were tull oil Weii-urc~Ssd and
beautiful women; but somehow
seemed 10 have eyes for mo- one but that
girl. She wore the sweetest costume
something in blue picked out with
white at jhc collar and cuffs. and. in
ferred, white upon the front the bodice.
she was steering her bicycle with skill
and boldI'esS through the I'VE o'clock
traffic Of Piccadiliy. and louged 10 see
her face. which, | fen convinced. would
please my eye. But this, Of course, /
could not Go, as she was riding steadily
about ten yards in front of us You
cannot shout at a girl on bicycle from
the top of a bus, even if you know her
name. and / could scarcely expect her
I, look backata whistle.
! leaned forward 10 the driver, hand
ing him my open tobacco pouch.
"Do you think" said, You could
hurry up bitand pass that lady ahead?
| want to see her face"
lie turned, and, jerking bis head in
the direction of Hyde Park corner, said;
"Lidy on the bike-blue dress-cut
saucy?"
you've guessed it" replied
He winked. Then he brushed his
horses with the whip, and passed the
Victoria bus ahead, which seemed in
no particular hurry 10 arrive anywhere.
The girl ahead. seeing clear space be-
fore her, quickened up and held her
own.
81 don't think we can do it," said, re-
signing myself to disappointment
He held his pipe between two fingers,
and filled it with the remaining two,
feeling. meanwhile, with his thumb for
a match. gave him my matchbox.
Its all right" ne said, as he nursed
the flaming match in his fist and pulled
the corner"
The girl slowed down, and stepped
easily and surely from her bicycle. She
stood upon the curb at the corner Of st.
James street, leaning on her machine.
admired the pose Of her head, the set
Of her shoulders. the pointing of her
loot, as she stood silent and expectant.
AZ the bus drew up by her side. I
leaned over and saw her face. Twas not
1t was az / thought. She
was. TO me. amazingly beautiful.
you will EXCUSE me, sir" saida voice
It my side. shut you have gained your
,bjcst."
looked round at my neigfrbor. and
NV lady, by no means i'll looking. of
Ibout my own age, which il or the
wrong side of 30. There was something
, little stern. perhaps a trifle con-
In the cast of her features,
md she was regarding me with much !
apparent aversion.
You have seen the young lady's farce,
md now. perhaps-that's right. coach
nan, drive o."
The bus moved slowly forward. rv-
Iected a moment, for l had not noticed
ny neigbbor before. and was a little
tartled at her implied reproof.
excuse me-" l said, IL haven't quite
'dlutu NY oDJtINs "hh0 w mum ~
ook at me, and she won't. Now. what
S the etiquette in such cases?'
L turned and waved my arm at her
is the bus went on. But she was
mounting her machine, and. being occu-
bed with the arrangement of her skirts,
ook no notice of me-
MAY | ask" said my neighbor, "if
hat young lady il your sister. or your
or"
Certainly not" replied. "Why do
you asI<P"
Then. sir, l feel it my duty TO tell you
that you are no gentleman"
/ sighed
az know that" l replied. "But al
ways pretend to be, and the public is so
pullible. How did you find me outP'
mo gentleman" she said, would
seek to annoy lady in the street, es-
peciaIly a lady who, clearly, does not
wish To notice him. And ! can see that
girl is persistently avoiding you"
20, is sheP" said. "Just wait mo-
ment. She'll be as pleased MS anything
when she sees that have noticed her.
Nothing annoys woman like indif-
ference"
~ girl-alone and unprotected" she
began.
"She should be ell the more pleased