Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-09-28

smile. VIII
NLucky dogs, Baldwin said. "Thev
'hink they know what it's all about !
"lckens lost his patience ooh
don't be an ass" he said "Wbo ~,
you anyway, that all creation has to
give you Its reason for existing?"
BALDWIN sulked again. In mo.
ment, Look at that, lie broke ont
waving his hand to the row of liehte
shops. Shaving and sleeping as if
they knew what for. Where are the
people that kept shop in old Rome -
Dead. most likely
"Yes, and what did thew live fors,,
guess
Clever, you are" Baldwin was
choking with speechless contempt
"lckens saw the quarrel to which
they were drifting. "Well," he said
you may finish this walk alone -
and stopped before book shop win
dow to look over the array of VOL
umes.
Baldwin stalked down the street
nur lng his mood. Wickens was a
1901 at any rate-always had been.
All men were idiots, or thew would
not 90 gambolling around in this
slaughter house as if the butcher were
not waiting for them with the inevita
BE knife. He, Charles McTagg art
Baldwin, was going to be sheep no
longer. he was going toto do
something or other. It did not mat
ter what
He turned down side street and
attempted short cut across the road.
way. He heard feeble shrek behind
hlm. Something struck him stifflv in
the SIDE. An arm clutched about his
neck and before he could put out his
hand the asphalt pavement reached
up and struck him sledge- hammer
blow on the forehead There was an
explosion in his brain like the sudden
flame of hashlight. Then all the
instinct OF the animal reused him to
sclf-preservation. Drawing his legs
up under him, he arched his back.
slipped the enemy's hold over his
head and crooked his arm up to ward
Oft a possible blow. The foe Law linn
on the road beside him. He had been
run down by young lady on BIZ
cycle.
"Oh," lie said, recovering himself
at once
Il beg your pardon" He had
sprung to his feet. "Aretyou hurt?"
and Voc, irwin" tn dianntanolA ha~ fron,
She drew Ler feet up hejplessly in
to her skirts. lie was plucking those,
with hurried c,umsiness, from the
teeth of the gearing. Il didn't sec
you coming he apolosized as he
raised her Il hope you're not hurt. >
She pressed her hand, painting,
against her side "No-o," she gasped.
only frightened.
But when he released her she tot
tered as ii to fall and he. was com
PEELED to retain his hold upon her
arm, embarrassed and speechless..
"lt was so stupid of me, she fall
tered, limping TO the curbstone. Il
thought | could get by you. Mr.. Bald
win
He peercd dovnlat her in the dark
ness. "Why,' he, smiled. Il didn't
know you !
She laughed somewhat hysterically.
81 saw you coming through the light.
I thought I could get, past" She was
choking for breathe I'm afraid I
hurt my-my foot.
She freed herself from his arm
Baldwin returned to imidroad for the
b;cvcle and his hat When he came
back he found her sitting on the curb.
You arc hurt he, said anxiously.
My ankle, she replied. Il have
sprained it, l think.
He hesitated a moment A''Take my
arm, he said, land try if you can
walk. :
BY leaning heavily on hint she sue
ceedel III llmpiug aioug. He wheeled
the bicycle with his other hand, still
bit embarrassed. Butjshe laughed
and chatted. 1t had been SO stupid
OF her, 1t was wondor she hadn't
killed him. What had he thought 1t
was that struck him?
He confessed that he had not had
IlIuc 10 tu1iih. Dut thI di III 'socof Li1
meek had come rs II some one had
leaped upon his back. I'm afraid,
he said, II took you for a footpad.
The remembrance oiIlt stirred her
to nervous merriment. Her laugh
was not unpleasant. She choked
lrettiiy at his whimsical description
OF his preparations sor defence, and
that description became SO convul-
sivelv amusing Tor moment that
they stood together on corner shak-
ing with laughter. They went on more
soberlv when the fit had passed, but
the barriers were down between them
and conversation was as easy as that
Of old frien Is.
The distance from the scene OF the
collision to her nome vas not great
Baldwin rang the door bell and
assisted in allaying the anxiety of the
family. They laughed at last. at
;oint description OF the accident as