The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-18

you have been riding the tabooed wheel
for months" said Paul. They laughed.
Matters are getting serious now,"
continued Paul, "and something must
be done at once. If the trust company
forecloses the mortgage on the last day
of May and the major carries you off
abroad"
But / won't 60"
"You will have to go unless we do
something. Our masqueradng is at an
end now, Esther, and we must face the
situation"
They wheeled leisurely along.
II do not hope for any relenting my
self" said Paul, but put off speaking
about it until after tomorrow in order
that you might see the race. 1 must
see you when I cross the tape at the
finish. Everett beat me by a hairs
breadth last year. but I'm in flrst-class
condition now, and I'm going to win
that race"
"Oh, Paul, it will be the first race 1
ever saw, and do you know it seems to
me 1t will be enough to bring Uncle
Jack around to see you win it,"
mot much" said Paul, grimly "He
is welded to horseaesh. The fact is,
u,
but it's a desperate case anyhow, and 1
am simply determined that you shall
see the race If the worst comes to the
worst you will keep your word, won't
you? We won't be the first who got
married and asked permission after
wards"
He circled around in the road and
came nearer to her. AS he did so he
caught sight of tall military figure
on horseback in their rear by Jove!
Esther" he said, quickly, eff the major
isn't right behind us. Lean over a lit
tie and take the cross road to Clifton
COrners-he can't tell us from Adam at
this distance"
The major looked after them musing-
ly. "a bicycle courtship very likely.
If / hadn't kept a strict eye on Esther
She would have been gadding about
the country in the same way with
young Bronson. Hanged if l know
what to think of women nowadays. I'll
take Esther to the race tomorrow for
the express purpose of keeping Bron-
son away from her-as if / weren't up
to their little game"
The major chuckled and gave the
rein to his horse
The morning of Memorial day dawned
in clear and perfect brilliancy. The
whole countryside was in a state of
excitement due to the great annual BIZ
cycle road race over the famous Mil
lington-Irving twenty-five mile course,
and the entire route was lined early
with thousands Of spectators. Twenty
five miles from Scarlet oaks Paul
Bronson mingled with the racers who
thronged about the starting point.
How are you, Paul?" asked a tall
young fellow. Hope you're in good
shape today"
Never was better" said Paul, cheer
fully I'm out to win today or retire
for good. l hardly expected to see you
here, Tom. How is this?"
"Oh, l don't expect to win This is
merely a training exercise for me. 1
say, Paul, the boys are with you, don't
you know. Good luck to you, old fell
low; we all hope you'n win"
Thanks, Tom, but / may have a
tough tusseL How many starters are
tLere?"
"Oh, only a million or so--a lot OF the
worst-looking skates ever saw. There
are only dozen really good men in the
lot. All you have TO look out for is ac-
cidents. II you get tangled up with a.
batch Of those wretched amateurs, let
the amateurs get killed-there are too
many of them in the gang anyhow"
Look out there!" Shouted a stem
torlan voice. An avant courier Of the
race flashes by them. A cloud Of yell
low dust filled the air, and shout
arose from the crowd that jammed
perilously close to the route as the hour
for the race approached
The famous race course stretched its
sinuous route, curving through a beau
titul country now in the flush of radi-
ant early summer and flying over 1t,
with every muscle as tense as steel and
forms bent over the handle bars in des-
perate endeavor, were over a hundred
contestants for the prizes.