The Banner-Democrat., 1898-09-17
suppose that it would have been other
than another hesitating negative.

/ eaO OAONAs oAOuld lAhO W say, dS
the late G. P. r. James so often said,
that my heroine might have been OBJ
served galloping over the fhoor on q
beautiful coal-black steed of rare
blood and mettle-but can not. The
| age of romance has been shabbily
buried. should like to say that her
tight-fitting habit showed off the
curves of her superb figure to perfec-
tion-but again 1 can not. 1 am
| obliged to limit myself to the prosaic
statement that Miss Carpenter gen.
orally look spin along the Wood
chester high road on o ladies' wheel
| tgea, cd up to 81, dressed in a sailor
hat, neat blouse, blue skirt and brown
shoes.
Well, Master Oldercheek was well
aware that Margot went cycling in the
afternoon, and often did he lounge
about the turnpike in hopes of meeting
her. And meet her he often did, for
Margot had no particular objection to
being accompanied by a squire well
calved and clad, as cycling squires
should ever be. Had Margot been of
romantic disposition she might, now
and again, have uttered sigh for the
gone cavalier of old times-that one
with the handsome, melancholy face,
the long love locks, the aristocratic
stock, the frilled shirt front, the top
boots, and the pantaloons fitting close
to show off the symmetry of his noble
leg. But Margot was practical and up
to date, and never fingered to gaze on
old-time love scenes in print shops.
One afternoon Master Oldercheek
was lingering near spot where four
crossroads met, when along came the
worst-looking ruffian of a tramp he had
ever set eyes on. This gentleman was
tall and broadly built, with a four
days beard and scowl that was
brigandish. His toes were peeping
out of his elastic-sided boots, and his
back was covered by ruin of frock
coat. His head was protected by q
decayed bowler, and his neck by
greasy red handkerchief. while his
shirt was so loosely fastened that here
and there you might catch glimpses of
of his bare chest. Had you sought for
a week you could not have found
greater contrast than was presented
by the spick and span young cyclist
and this ferocious waif of the highway
A thought flashed through Reginald's
brain: Suppose this brute were to
attack a defenseless girl-driven to it
by lack of pence and a gnawing pain
in his stomachl'' Then another
thought-"Suppose I were to bribe
him tor
''Hi!" he shouted after the slouch-
ing figure.
The tramp looked round. Reginald
wheeled up to him.
''Do you want to earn sovereign"
''Juss try me'
Every well, then; here is how you
may earn it. Go little way farther
on toward Woodchester. and wait until
young lady in sailor hat comes by
on a bicycle. AS she is passing by you
must spring out and clutch her handle
bar"
''And wot then?"
''Leave the rest to me-"
"Oh, yes, and git chokey fur six
months? Not dis chile!''
''Here's something on account"
said Reginald, giving him half
sovereign. Upon this the tramp took
up his position as directed, while Re-
ginald retired out of sight round the
corner.
Ceres Kerismas treel" chuckled
the hired ruffian, who was known to
various policemen as William Grimes,
Al, of no occupation. "A bloomin'
'arf-quid an annuvver to foller. Oh,
crimey, this is an adwentur! This is
awl Sirgarnetr"
Reginald meanwhile was cogitating
in his way.
'.'That's it," he exclaimed. 'T
must play the role of hero before her.
1 must be her knight-her king.
Rescue her from the grasp of that
ogre, and her gratitude will soon
ripen into love-"
''It's no fair er m ne wot is game
is" muttered Mr.. Grimes. ''No, not
tall. Spec it's luv or summat."
s'This is fash of inspiration"
breathed Reginald, waiting round the
corner. "Upon my word, I'm CRATE
full to that tramp. Oh, Margot, my
sweet, my darling, is the time at
hand?"
1t was, for that moment Grimes
deserted in the distance an approach
ing object, which gradually shaped
itself into lady cyclist, pedalling
briskly. Nearer and nearer she came,
and soon Mr.. Grimes could see that
she answered to the description of
young lady.
"Yuss, she's q well-turned- -aht 'un,"
he muttered. ''Spec it's luv. Nah
for iti'
The tramp arose from his crouching
position under the hedge, and ad-
vanced into the middle of the road.
Miss Carpenter-for it was she, sure
enough-divining the vagabond's in
tention, for his attitude was the re-
verse to friendly, she :steered to the
extreme left, increasing her speed as
she did so. But Mr.. Grimes, thinking
of the half sovereign to come, like a
gaunt greyhound was across the way
in two bounds, and in another mo-
ment he was hoarsely calling upon
Miss Carpenter to yield up her purse.
Margot screamed, She was only
girl, SO she screamed. Mr.. Grimes
was yiilainy personified-a dreadful |