The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-09-21

ths side. An arm clntched about lis
meek and before he could pat out his
hanS the asphalt psvement reached
up and ssruck HIN q sledge-hsmmer
blow Oh the forehead. There was an
explosion in his brain like the sudden
fame Of fashlight. Then all the
instinct Of the animal reused him to
self-preservstiSn. Drawing his legs
up under him, he arched his back,
slipped the enemy's hold over his
head 4nd crooked his arm up to ward
off q possible blow. The zoe lay limp
on the road beside him. He had been
run down by a young lady on bi-
cycle.
COB" he said, recovering himself
at once.
Il beg your pardon" He had
sprung to his feet. Are you hur.:'
and vas trying to diseh,angle her from
the machine.
She drew her feet up hdplessly in
to her skirts. He was plucking those,
with hurried clumsiDess, from the
teeth Of the gearing. 81 didn', see
yon coming" he apologized as he
raised her. II hope you're not hurt. -
She pressed her hand, painting,
against her side. Moo" she gasped.
'oniy frightened.
But when he released her she tot
tered as il to fall. and lie was com.
PEELED to retain his hold upon her
arm, embarrassed and speechless.
1T was so stupid Of me, she fal.
tered, limping to the curbstone. 81
thought I could get by you. Mr.. Bald.
win"
He peered down at her in the dark
ness. "Why,' he smiled, 81 didn'i
know you"
She laughed somewhat hysterically y.
81 saw you coming through the light.
thought l could get past" She was
choking for breath. I'm afraid
hurt my-my foot"
She freed herself from his arm
Baldwin returned to midroad for the
bicycle and bis hat. When he came
back he found her sitting Oh the curb
You are hurt he said an1iOusly
my ankle she replied. II have
sprained it, 1 think"
He hesitated moment. "Take my
arm" lie said, "aud try if you can
walk
by leaning heavily on him she sue
ceeded in limping along. He wheeled
the bicycle with his other hand, still
bit embarrassed. But she laughed
and chatted. 1t had been 80 stupit
Of her. 1t was wonder she hadn't
killed hin. What had he thought il
was that struck him?
He confessed that he had not had
time to think. But The arm about his
neck hal come as il some one had
lcapod upon his back I'm afraid,
he said, 81 took you for footpad."
The remembrance Of it stirred lei
to nervous merrimolh. Her laugh
was not unpleasant. She chokei
rrettily at his Whimsical description
Of his preparations for defence, ant
that description became SO copvul
sively amusing for moment tina
they stood together on a corner shak
ing with laughter. They went on NOR,
soberly when the fit had passed, bu
the barriers wero Gown between then
and conversation was as easy as tina
OF old frien Ia.
The distance from the scene OF the
collision to her home vas not great
Baldwin rang the door bell an(
assisted in allaying the anxiety of the
family. They laughed at last, at
Joint description of the accident a
given by the heroine and tho her.
Of it.
When she had been assisted to he
room by n younger sister, Baldwin
remained to exchange small talk ant
drink cool drinks below stairs. Be
fore he left he had been brushed
clean of the roadway dust by
"brother Tom thanked by he
mother for his Kindness to daughte
Of tho house and invited by the smil
ing family to call again.
| Accordingly he did that, on tn
evening following, 20 see how tn
sprained ankle was progressing. TIL
young woman herself received him
He found her very pale and pretty
aminble and altogether interesting
He had called, ON Al average, tire
times since in every week, and he ha
bought bicycle.
| During the first stages OF thei
friendship he worked diligently TO
an increase in bis salary to allow O
the purchase of more theatre tickets
Lately he has had dreams of a honey
moon, and is kept Worried in hi
leisure moments by impatient calcula
ton Of the time which must elaps
before his salary will suffice for two
But lie is not troubling himself for al
answer to the Sphiux's riddle of ex
istence. Neither Is be concerned TO
solution OF any Of the greater prob
lens of this life. The powers hav
reconciled him to the prison bars will
the old device. New York Sun.