The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-09-24
A RIDE FOR LOVE
TT WAS a cool. clear day in late Au-
BY GEORGIA GUSTS.



pared in billiard-rooms and out-build-
ings, while clerks and hall boys were
kept busy replying TO the continuous
whirring Of electric bells. 1t was mid
afternoon, an hour when most of the
quests OF the hotel had retired
TO their rooms for the siesta
which had become a habit dur
ing the warm days of the earlier
summer.
The interest OF the few loungers on
the broad piazza was centered for mo-
ment on group OF bicyclers, score
or more Of whom were gathered in
front OF the hotel, ready for ride OF
20 miles 10 famous resort where they
were TO dine, returning by moonlight.
1t was an animated scene, and young
man who was in the act OF descending
the stairs 10 join the party, paused
moment at the door, looking down on
the group OF men in golf stockings and
knickerboclSers, and girls in short
skirts or faring bloomers. His eye
rested longest on one of the girls who
was standing somewhat apart from the
others, talking in low voice 10 tall,
blond man whose eyes were fastened
eagerly upon her face.
She was simply attiredin well-fitting
gray cloth with jaunty cap crushed
down upon the rebellious dark curls
of her small head. Henry sutton,
watching her unobserved, thought he
had never seen her look more charm
ing, and he sighed and frowned as he
turned away and mingled with the
group at the foot OF the piazza steps.
"By Jovel" he exclaimed, mentally,
az believe she is beginning really TO
care for that fellow; he is not fit to
breathe the same air with girl like
Rose Miner, yet what can | do? Ihave
said all / dared, and what has been
the result? Only 10 make her look
upon him as an abused and much-to-be-
pitied mortal, while bah! If didn't
happen TO worship the ground she
treads on, IL might be easier 10 be mis-
understood" and Sutton put mn enor-
nous energy into the pumping Of the
Dictated tire OF n wheel belonging TO Il
plain, shy girl who was starting with
some trepidation on her first long ride.
Sutton felt sorry for her. and when
Rose had started off with Converse at
her side and not even glance in his
direction, he gallantly brought up the
rear of the procession Of wheels with
his quiet companion, whose strength,
he soon discovered, was quite unequal
TO the task she had undertaken. At the
end of the first five miles, they met a
party Of the girls friends returning
from a drive and with an extra seat
in the carriage; they offered TO take
the tired rider and her wheel back 70
the hotel, and Sutton, thus relieved OF
his charge continued on his way, hop
ing shortly TO overtake the remainder
of the party.
He had not indeed proceeded fan
when, as he rounded the crest OF a hill
he deserted at some distance ahead OF
him two figures who were bending over
their wheels at the side Of the road
As he came nearer he recognized Miss
Minor and Converse, and he would
have passed them with simple nod o.
recognition, for since their couyersa
tion regarding Converse, Roses man
ner to Sutton lad been decidedly dis
tant, but TO his surprise il was Converse
himself who called out to him:
"I say, Suttonl" he shouted, lend III
a hand here, will you? Miss Minor hai
punctured her tire, and ] have left thu
most important part Of my repair ki
at home"
Sutton jumped off his wheel nj once
but he looked inquiringly at Rose be
fore he examined her wheel. He fan
cied she looked a triie annoyed, per
haps at being obliged 70 accept ia
vor at his hands, but her tone was cor
dial enough rs she said, simply:
az am glad YOU have come"
He set 20 work at once TO mend tn
damaged tire, and they were all tire
quite silent during the operation
When II was finished. Sutton raised hi
cap with grave politencss.
II trust you will have no furthe
trouble, Miss Minor" he said. AN
now, since / can be of no further serN
Zee. / will ride on ahead 20 inform III
others that you are coming"
The road inclined steeply upward
from the point where the riders ha
met, so that Sutton did not gain niue
upon the others, and when he reache
the highest point of the road whic
swept downhill again, he heard the
voices behind him.
without looking back Sutton conste
down the steep incline, and bad r.
gained his pedals, ready for the ne'
ascent, when he heard his nam
shouted behind him in Roses clea
ringing voice. lie turned his wheel
once. and saw her springing from he
wheel, which was half way down u
hill; her companion had disappeare
but In another moment Sutton unde
stood what had happened. Converse
wheel had struck n stone In the midd
OF the road. and the rider had taken
header into a shallow ditch, where
Law, face downward, and quite motto
less.