The Van Buren press., 1898-01-22

and that she would not care whether ne
were younger than her or had no mon
ey at all. This fatiering aYowal SO
frightened Jack that he would have
ended his visit. but that
On the other hand, he had made nc
advance with Miss Dale. She was po-
lite enough, but cool. Was il any use
remaining in the hope that the iceberg
would met? It had shown no sign Of
doing 50 as yet.
On the fourth day there was 70 be :
road race on bicycles to the statue oil
George III. on Snow Hill, II Windsor
Great Park and back. Il was to be a
go-as-you-please-raee. the only eondi-
tion being that the park must De en-
tered BY the Englefield Green gate, and
must be left by the Bishop gate. Lads
Fairfield proposed to drive over with
her sister and Lady Caro-all OF them
declining 10 compete-to Snow Hill a
see the racers pass, and present thea
with badges as a token that they had
fulfilled the conditions.
The ladies, who amounted TO half
dozen. were given time starts-Miss
Dale being scratch for them, but still
a long way ahead Of the men, who were
handicapped in three divisions. There
is only space 10 hint how Jack Fur
nival. starting at scratch, gradually
oufrode the men, all but Capt. Egertoh,
caught up the ladies all but Miss Dale,
and ran through them, reached the
statue still level with the captain.
passed him by riding up a hill, which
proved too much for him, came level
with Miss Dale about mile from the
park, and then
"oh. it's you!" cried Miss Dale.
well, l suppose you will win now; and
l thought l was going to. Well, yon
shan't have it without a fight" She
uuiekened her pace. Jack did the
same. but without attempting to pass
her. They kept on for few minutes,
and then she slackened again. Il can't
go on ike that" she painted, you are
too strong for me. No, never mind me, .
as be drew alongside of her; go on and
win"
4 don't care a rap about winning
said Jack. moodily; "and there il
nobody who cares rap whether do Or
not"
Not Lady Caro?7 inquired Miss
Dale. in a tone that was oddly com
pounded of archness and bitterness.
Lady Caro- does not care two strawa
about me, and I don't care two strawa
whether she does or not"
"o-h! Why, they said. Never
mind
yes; but 1 do mind. What did they
say?"
well, l am sure it's no business OF
mine, they said-if you must know
that you were going to marry her-ans
1t really looked like it-always sitting
in her pocket"
"They seem to have rather a way of
saying things about people," said Jack,
with much annoyance. Then, carry
ing the war into the enemy's country:
oddly enough, that was the first thing
heard about YOU"
What was?"
"That you were going to bemarried." !"
"Indeedl The very idea. And whom
to, pray?"
"sr Henry Folmash."
ooh, yes, | see; | suppose they told
you Miss Dale. But that's my sister. !
see now! And so you thought that
when Sir Harry and | were boring
each other for civlity's sake-exactly.
Her clear laughter rang out like peal
Of bells.
"And was that the reason you
would never condescend to speak to a
poor person who had never done you
any harm?"
"Of course-that isl mean 10 say
stammered Miss Dale, flushing sudden
ly beautiful carmine which could not
be wholly accounted for by the exer.
else she was taking. 81 mean, OF
course, | thought you must be horrid
If you were going to marry such q
woman"
isn't it rather unfair to condemn &
man without trial, especially when ht
happens to be innocent?"
AT this Miss Dale laughed, and sait
that people shouldn't take SO much
trouble to look guilty.
After this they rode on side by side
conversing most amicably, precisely as
if they were merely taking a country
ride, instead of struggling for the fin
ish of the race,
About quarter of mile from hom,
Jack uttered an exclamation.
"My left pedals got loose" he ex
claimed. Luckily ! can ride with on,
foot Now | will race with you will
one foot TO the end. That's a sporting
offer"
Miss Dale had forgotten all about tn,
race, but she jumped at the proposal
She put on speed and, as might natur
ally be expected. soon distanced tht
other. In the excitement of the mo
ment she had reached the house anC
become entitled to the prize before sh,
realized that Jack had deliberately
thrown the race away to her, perhap
had fabricated the defalcation Of tn
pedal altogether
Mrs. Jack Furnival used to say il
after years that the real reason why sht
married her husband was that she fel
he had really a right to that prize ant
it was the only way by which the in
justice could be epaired.-Madane
Proved True.
\ lawyer whose Office was un one o
the upper floors of tall building wa
about to enter the elevator one morn
ing, but stepped back in order TO lie
lady who seemed, to be in n hurr.