The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-29

I.
ner And meet her he often did. for
Mafget had no particular objection tn
oeing accompanied by a squire well
cslVed and clad, as cycling souires
should ever be. Had Margot been of
romantic disposition she might now
and again, have uttered a sigh for the
gone cavalier of old timesNthat one
with the handsome. melancholy face
~ tne long love lock, the aristocratic stock,
sue iIllled shirt front, the top boots.
ana the pantaloons fitting close to
snow on the symmetry of his noble
leg. But Margot was practical and up
~ ana never fingered to gaze on
oio-ume love scenes in print shops.
one afternoon Master Oldercheck
was lingering near a spot where four
crossroads met. when along came the
worst-looking ruffian of a tramp he
mad ever set eyes on. This gentle
man was tall and broadly built, with
four days beard and scowl that
was brigandiSh. His toes were peep
ing out OF his elastic-sided boots, and
MS back was covered by ruin of
frock coat His head was protected by
decayed bowler, and his neck by a
greasy red handkerchief, while his
shirt was so loosely fastened that here
and there you might catch glimpses Of
his bare chest. Had you sought for A
week you could not have found a great
er 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 il
by lack of pence and a gnawing pain
in his stomach" Then another
thought: Suppose were to bride him
to-"
Hi" he shouted after the slouching
figure.
The tramp looked round. Reginald
wheeled up to him.
Do you want to earn a sovereign"
Just try me-"
Very well, them here is how you
may earn it. Go little way further
on toward WoodcheSter and wait until
a young lady in sailor hat 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 this chile."
Here's something on account" said
Reginald. giving him half a sovereign.
Upon this the tramp took up his posi-
ton as directed, while Reginald retired
out of sight round the corner.
Eres Kerismas tree!" chuckled
the hired ruffian, who was known to
various policemen as William Grimes,
IL. of no occupation. "a bloomin'
'arf-quid an annuvver to foller. Oh.
crimey. this is an adwentur! This is
awl Sirgarnet!"
Reginald meanwhile was cogitating
in his way.
That's it," he exclaimed 81 must
play the role of hero before her. |
must be her knight-her king Res
cue her from the grasp of that ogre
and her gratitude will soon ripen into
love"
ITS no fair er mine wot is game
is" muttered Mr.. Grimes. mo. not a
tall. Spec it's luv or summat."
This is a flash of inspiration. "
breathed Reginald, waiting round the
to that tramp. Oh, Margot. my sweet,
my udIIluS. is lHt ilUie DIT uduu
1t was. for at that momaut Grimes
deserted in the distance an approaching
object, which gradually shaped itself
into a lady cyclist, pedalling briskly
] Nearer and nearer she came, and soon
Mr. Grimes could see that she an
swsred to the description of young
lady.
"Yuss, she's a well-turned-aht 'un, p"
he muttered. Spec it's luv. Nah
for it,"
The tI~mp arose from his crouching
position under the hedge. and advanced
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 reverse
to friendly, steered TO the extreme left.
increasing her speed as she did so. But
Mr.. Grimes, thinking of the half SOW
! ereign to come. like gaunt greyhound
was across the way in two bounds, and
in another moment he was hoarsely
calling upon Miss Carpenter to yield
up her purse.
Margot screamed. She was only a
/ girl, so she screamed. Mr.. Grimes was
! villiany personified-a dreadful pre-
sentiment of all unholiness-so Margot
screamed her best.
All, help was at hand Round out
of a bye-road came a splendid and
gallant young Englishman, squirting
(alas, no!-pedalling, for all he was
worth. Determined not to do the thing
by halves-as Mr.. Oldercheck afterward
explained to his blase friend of under
acknowledgements charged full tilt into
the tramp and sent him flying
Then, springing off his machine, Reg
inald let the thing fall, and flew at
Margots assailant with the courage
and energy Of maStiff. After rolling
Grimes over and over. Reginald finally
give him a final shove into the ditch
despite low "Old ard guv-ner!")
and then went back to Margot.
"Oh, thank you, so much, Mr.. Older
check; how lucky you were so near!
That horrid mani"
I'll fly into him again if you likei"
was Reginald's chivalrous offer.
"Oh. no, you have punished him
enough, l think. Let us so back.
Stay with me, won't you"
"Of course | will" exclaimed Regi-
maid. and so. wheeling his own ma.
chine. he began to accompany Margot
back toward Woodchester at a slow
pace.
For some little time the tramp lay
quite still where Reginald had deposit
ed him Presently, however, he looked
I'D, and, seeing that his employer was
fast disappearing, lie got up and gave
chase. So softly d d he run that Reg
inald and M2ygot were not aware OF
his proximity until he was close upon
them. Then Margot gave a half scream
and clutched her knights arm. reg