The Philipsburg mail., 1898-08-05
suppose that it would have been other
than another hesitating negative.


ern times, "bike," on most fine
afternoons between two and four of
the clock. I should like to say, as
the late G.. P. r. James so often said,
that my heroine might have been OBJ
served galloping over the moor on a
beautiful coal-black steed of rare
blood and mettle-but I can not. The
age of romance has been shabbily
buried. I should like to say that her
tight fitting habit showed off the
curves of her superb figure to perfec-
tion--but again I can not. I am
obliged to limit myself to the prosaic
statement that Miss Carpenter gen
orally look a spin along the Wood
chester high road on a ladies' wheel
(gea, ed up to 57), dressed in a sailor
hat, neat blouse, blue skirt and brown
shoes.
Well, Master Oldercheek was we'll
aware that Margot went cycling in the
afternoon, and often did he lounge
about the turnpike in hopes of meeting
her. And meet her ne often did, for
Margot had no particular objection to
being accompanied by a squire we'll
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 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
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 a
greater contrast than was presented
by the spick and spaI young cyclist
and this ferocious waif of the highway.
A thought flashed through Reginald's
brain: Suppose this brute were to
attack defenseless girl-driven to it
by lack of pence and gnawing pain
in his stomach!' Then another
thought Suppose I were to bribe
him to-"
"Hi!'' he shouted after the SLOUGH
ing figure.
The tramp looked round. Reginald
wheeled up to him.
''Do you want to earn sovereign?"
"Juss try me!'
Every we'll, then; here IS how you
may earn it. Go little way farther
on toward Woodchester and wait until
a young lady in a sailor hss comes by
on bicycle. AS she is passing by you
must spring out and clutch her handle
bar"
"And wot them"
"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.
"'Ere's Kerismas treer' chuckled
the hired ruffian, who was known to
various policemen as William Grimes.
Al, Of no occupation. "a bloomin'
'a,f-quid an annuvver to foller. Oh.
crimey, this is an adwenturl This is
awl Sirgarnet'::
Reginald meanwhile was cogitating
in his way.
'That's it," he exclaimed. 'T
must play the role of hero before her.
| 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 IN ne wot lis game
is," muttered Mr.. Grimes. "No, not
a tall. Spec it's luv or summat."
"This is flash of inspiration"
breathed Reginald, waiting round the
corner. Upon my -essd, 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 5 well-turned- -aht 'un,"
ne muttered. spec it's luv. Nah
or it.'
The tramp arose from his crouching
position under the hedge. and ad-
1anced into the middle of the road.
Miss Carpenter-for it was she, sure
IN nough-divining the vagabond's in
,ention, for his attitude was the re-
verse to friendly, she steered to the
1of& H..