The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-01-31
A SCORCHER CURED.

The Standwell Wheelers were annoy.
ed. Half Of them, the fastest men in
the club, had been to supper at Dicky
Carmichael's rooms and were sitting
round discussing the situation, with
the assistance of Dicky's cigarettes.
YES Carmichael was saying, II
admit he can ride and ride we'll 1t
isn't his pace l object to; it's his con-
founded conoeit about it. Soon after he
came here l spoke to him about joining
the club. and what do you think the
fool said? You all know his beastly
drawl. 'Well-er-don't think l shall,
thanks. Fact is, doncherknow. like to
shift when I'm out Can't stand crawl
ing at any price, There's all inflated
idiot for you'll"
He passed us when we We're out last
night" said Royton, land we couldn t,
one Of us, hang on to him. He knew it
too. He's done that once or twice, and
it's only just to show of, l know"
II was out alone on Wednesday,"
Clipped in Teddy Blame, the club sprint
er, land he caught me up and looked
! round with that COMPOUNDED smile of
his as he passed. You bet wasn't 60
ing to let him walk away without an
! effort; but, as yon fellows know, I'm
better at short distances, and after max
ing it pretty warm for about couple
OF miles had to throw it up
Far away down in the depths of an
easy chair several sizes too big for him
sat little Pat Armstrong. Up to the pres
ent he had been silent, but now looking
up at his companions he said, in his
lazy sort Of way, "My dear fellows,
I've an idea"
There was general laugh.
"By Jove! Hank at it!''
"Look at what's got an idear'
"Stick to it, Pat; it's the only one
you'll ever GET
They listened, while he laid his plan
before them, and for an hour they talked
earnestly together. Then as midnight
struck they broke up and departed
chuckling over the scheme which Pat
had devised.
1t was September evening a week
later, and the fast gathering twilight
cast dim obscurity over the landscape,
when up hill, at the foot of which lay
the little town Of Standwell, came a
rider
On reaching the top of the hill the
rider paused moment to regain his
breath. As he sat up in his saddle he
heard the sound Of cycle wheels and
turning his head saw another rider,
who had evidently assembled the hill
close behind him. <
This one presented striking appear
ance, for with the exception of shoes
and stockings he was clothed completely
in white--a white calico jacket with
loose Knockers of the same material,
and on his head large, soft wide awake
Of white felt. This latter was pulled so
far forward that the riders face was |
completely hidden, but it was evident
that he was O member Of the Standwell |
Wheelers, for the club badge was dis
played conspicuously on the side of his
headgear.
The scorcher, however, had but little
time to take note Of his companion sap
pearance, for before he was aware of it
the white rider, going at great pace,
shot past him and gained lead of some
dozen yards. The scorcher's spirit was
reused within him, for it was his boast
that he allowed no one to pass him on
the road. So, bending low over his han
dies, he pedaled furiously to regain the
lead and soon overlook and passed the
Standwell man. The LATTER however, at
once replied by sprint which again
gave him first position. This was di-
rect challenge There could be no mis-
take about that. The scorcher was
Did Standwell Wheeler dare
to challenge him? Very we'll, then. That
man must learn that no member of the
despised club could hope to keep pace
with him. So, getting well over his
work, he settled down to business and
going for all he was worth again passed
his opponent.
The pace grew warmer, and on they
went, on, on, until trees and hedges
seemed to the riders but a blur of green,
80 terrific was the speed at which they
went. Faster and faster over the dusty
'oad, going as though the fiends were
behind them, no sound breaking the
stiffness but the whir of the flying
wheels and the click of the chain over
he cogs. And the white rider still hung
IN. Fear took hold of the scorcher and
! sickening dread came upon him. Was
le, the unbeaten, now to find his match
rom among the members of that club
which he had so openly derided? Perish
he thought He glanced over his shoul.
Ter and found that his pursuer had fall
n back dozen yards Or SO. But this
ave him no hope, for during their ride
and they had now come five miles, the p
fhite figure had repeatedly dropped .
way, only to reappear shortly close be.
ind him. And so it was this time. In i
minute or two he again took up his g
Id position, and from his easy breath o
lg was apparently as fresh as ever. i
'ot so tho scorcher, for used as he was a
speedy shifting, the terrific pace at
hich they had ridden was telling upon =
i'm. Suddenly thought struck him, !
i'd as he realized it he almost fell !.
ON his saddle. He remembered now II
hat had hitherto escaped his memory, :
lat this ,'oad led, with no turning p
hatever, straight into Standwell and y
ght past the club headquarters. He to L
} beaten before their eyes and by one
their own ridersl 1t would be eter-
Il degradation to him who had made \
his boast that he was faster than l
cir fastest. What would he not give s.
escape the humiliation which seemed {.
store for him, and for the first tina e
his life he longed for puncture. n,
The headquarters Of the club were -
w but half mile distant. On fly the
ir and in u few seconds the building "a,
in sight. The scorcher's heart sinks ct
thin him as he feels his opponent ''
aw up level with him and to all ap- =
arances as fresh as at the start. Until
W his eyes have been fixed to his front &
leel, but now he Chances ahead, and,
, horror, sees crowd of members as