Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-26
His RebeIIious Sweetheart.

1T is not that 1 disapprove of bicy-
cling, declared the young man, his
deep grey eyes taking on a troubled
expression as he looked into the defiant
blue ones turned up to meet his gaze,
sit isn't that, dear. 1t is your excur-
sions into the country all by yourself
that"
Mr.. Dahlgreen," said the owner of
the blue eyes, frigidly, as the color flew
into her soft cheeks. you will kindly
remember my name, and not address
me as dear That is a liberty you
have not been granted"
The young man, smiled rather rue
fully. frowned slightly and then
shrugged his shoulders.
LAS you will, Miss Harway,' said he,
calmly. Il only wish to warn you
then, in the friendliest and most dis
interested way. that the country is full
of tranps since the trouble began at
my mills, and that the danger of meet
ing desperate men. while you are out
wheeling alone and defenceless, is the
greater"
Thank YOU" said Miss Harway.
sweetly, putting one small foot on the
pedal of her wheel and settling her
skirts.
shes headstrong, and she makes a
fellow unhappy when she thinks he
needs to be chastised, he remarked as
the girl of his heart disappeared fro n
view with a last, half-forgiving wave
of a tiny gloved hand, but she's the
most lovable little body that the sun
ever shone upon. Dear child I wish
she would mind me in this instance,
though"
Then he turned and resumed his
journey to the factory, that stood on
the banks of the placid river half a
mile away. 1t was the first time
Dahlgreen had been called upon to deal
with an actual strike among his thou
considerably more than it would have
troubled an older and more experienced
superintendent.
But today things looked better for
half the men had returned to work,
leaving only a few anarchistic malcon-
tents and the leaders who had TO-
mented the trouble in the beginning,
out of work. The hum of the looms
and whirr of the carders sounded their
welcome music in his ears as he ap-
preached the office, and for the time
being the little cloud in his own sky
was forgotten.
But all the blue-eyed girl on the
wheel heard. as she sped along on the
smooth road, was the regular click of
her cyclometer, and the murmurng
song of the distant river. Her brief
anger had lent. besides a charming
color to her face. renewed speed to her
wheel, and as she rode she argued to
herself: Il don't like to have him talk
so. He hasn't any right to-yet. He
must be shown that he hasn't. too. or
l will never be able to manage him.
We're not engaged; the idea Of his
calling me dear, even if we have
known each other a long, long time
three years at least. Auntie doesn't
object to my riding alone these bright,
clear days, especially when I tell her
there's no possible danger. But Phil
is so dictatorial; so terribly afraid that
someone will catch me and carry me
off. Oh! Oh! Oh!'
Three tiny screams. each one trifle
higher in pitch than it's predecessor,
rose from her lips, and a moment later
the little rebel was scrambling up the
bank at the side of the road, her be-
loved wheel doing it's inanimate best to
follow her. No black browed knight
of the road" had assailed the indepen-
dent girl or endeavored to carry her
off; only calm, slowly ambling COW
confronted the courageous young
woman who had assured her aunt that
nothing was to be feared. The animal
came to a stop for moment, and
paused in her cud-chewing to gaze in
mild establishment at the small figure
seeking safety beyond the fence. Then
before the top rail had been gained,
the amiable bovine ambled slowly on,
leaving the, brave rebel who was not
afraid of tramps, thankful that she
Still lived. She started down the en-
bankment again, but before the wheel
had been righted and turned about,
voices from the >underbrush near at
hand came to her ears, and she paused,
her heart beating faster than ever.
"Daytime's the best, of course" said
hoarse and husky one. eve got two
hundred pound Of the stun and enough
fuse to burn two minutes. Touch her
with match, and the whole thing will
be blowed to nothing. Amt that the
easiest way. say?"
"a reckon it isl replied the highly
nitched voice. .but / want plenty of
ait6aoRay, or / won't help We.