Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-18
A SCORCHER CURED.
The Standwell Wheelers we're annoy

The Standwell Wheelers were annoy
cd. 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.
eyes, Carmichael was saying, 81
admit he can ride and ride well. 1t
isn't his pace I object to; it's his con-
founded conceit about it. Soon after he
came here I 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 / shall,
thanks. Fact is, doncherknow. 7 like to
shift when I'm out. Can't stand crawl
ing at any price, There's an inflated
idiot for you!'
"He passed us when we were out last
night" said Royton, "and we couldn't,
one Of US, hang on to him. He knew it
too. He's done that one or twice, and
it's only just to show off, I know"
81 was out alone on Wednesday"
Clipped in Teddy Blame, the club sprint
e., land he caught me up and looked
round with that COMPOUNDED smile Of
his as he passed. You bet I wasn't go.
ing to let him walk away without an
effort but, as you fellows know, I'm
better at short distances, and after max
ing it pretty warm for about a couple
Of miles I 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
emit 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 a general laugh.
"By Jove! Hank at itr'
"Look at what's got an ideal"
"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 a September evening a week
later, and the fast gathering twilight
cast a dim obscurity over the landscape,
when up a hill, at the foot Of which lay
the little town Of Standwell, came q
rider.
On reaching the top of the hill the
rider paused a 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 n presented a striking appear
ance, for with the exception Of shoes
and stockings he was clothed completely
in white-a white calico jacket with
loose knickers of the same material,
and on his head a 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 a member of the Standwell
Wheelers. for the club badge was dis
played conspicuously on the side of his
hsadgear.
The scorcher, however, had but little
time to take note Of his companion g ap-
p~earance, for before he was aware Of it
the white rider, going at a great pace,
shot past him and gained a 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 ham
dies, he pedaled furiously to regain the
lead and soon overlook and passed the
Standwell man. The latter, however, at
once replied by a sprint which again
gave him first position. This was a di.
rect challenge. There could be no mis-
take about that. The scorcher was
amazed. Did a Standwell Wheeler dare
to challenge him? Very well, then. That
man must learn that no member Of the
despised club could hope to keep pace
with him. So, getting we'll over his
work, he settled dow. 20 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,
90 terrific was the speed at which they
went. Faster and faster over the dusty
road, 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
the cogs. And the white rider still hung
on. Fear took hold Of the scorcher and
q sickening dread came upon him. Was
be. the unbeaten, now to find his match
from among the members Of that club
which he had 80 openly derided? Perish
the thought He glanced over his shout.
der and found that his pursuer had fall
en- back q dozen yards or so. But this
gave him no hope, for during their ride
{and they had row. ON five miles) the
white figure had repeatedly dropped
away, only TO reappear shortly close be-.