Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-01-12

II. James SO OIleu tdlus lDdt my nero
inc might have been observed gallop-
ing over the moor on beautiful coal
black steed Of rare blood and mettle-
but l can not The age Of romance
has been shabbily buried. l should
like to say that her tightly fitting habit
showed off the curves OF her superb
figure to perfection--but again | can
not l am Obliged to limit myself
to the prosaic statement that Miss Car
penter generally took a spin along the
Woodchester high road On q ladies'
Rover (geared up to SD, dressed in
sailor hat, neat blouse, blue skirt and
brown shoes.
Well Master Oldercheck 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 he often did, for
Margot had no particular objection to
being accompanied by a squire well
calved and clad, as cycling squires
should ever be. Had Margot been of
a romantic disposition she might now
and again, have uttered a sigh for the
gone cavalier OF old times-that one
with the handsome, melancholy face,
lifelong love lock. the aristocratic stock
the frilled shirt front the top boots
and the pantaloons fitting close to
show of the symmetry Of his noble
leg. But MargOt was practical and up
to-ddte, and never fingered to gaze on
old-time love scenes in print shops.
One afternoon Master 0ldercheck
was lingering near a spot where four
crossroads met, when along came the
worst-looking rufiian of a tramp he
had ever set eyes on. This gentle
man was tall and broadly built, with
a four days beard and a scowl that
was brigandish. His toes were peep
ing out OF his elastic-sided boots, and
his back was covered by a ruin of a
frock coat His head was protected by
a 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 great
er contrast, than was presented by the
spick and span young cyclist and this
feroeious waif Of the highway.
thought flashed through Reginald's
brain: Suppose this brute were to
attack defenseless girl-driven to 1t
by lack of pence and a gnawing pain
in his stomach" Then another
thought Suppose l we're to bribe him
tot"
"Hi!" he shouted after the slouchlng
figure.
The tramp looked round. Reginald
wheeled up to him.
do you want to earn a sovereign"
Just try mel"
"Very well, then; here is how you
may earn it, Go a little way further
on toward Woodcheeter and wait until
young lady In a 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 chilel"
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.
'Ere's a Kerismas tree!" chuckled
the hired ruffian, who was known to
various policemen as William Grimes
Al, of no occupation. "A bloomin'
'arf-quid an annuvyer to foller. Oh,
crimey. this is an adwentur! This is
awl Sirgarneti"
Reginald meanwhile was eogitating
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
tall. Spec it's luv or summat"
This is a flash of inspiration"
breathed Reginald. waiting round the
corner upon my word, I'm grateful
to that tramp. Oh. Margot my sweet,
my darling, is the time at hand?"
1t was. for at that moment Grimes
deserted in the distance an approaching
object, which gradually shaped itself
into a lady cyclist, pedalling brlskly.
Nearer and nearer she came, and soon
Mr.. Grimes could see that she an.
swered to the description of young
lady.
"Yuss. she's a well-turned-aht 'un,"
he muttered. Spec it's luv. Nah
for itl"
The tramp 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 a 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 personlfied-a dreadful pre-
sentiment Of all unholiness-so Margot
screamed her best.
All, help was at hand! Round out
of a bye-rCad came a splendid and
gallant young Englishman, spurring-
(alas, -pedalling, for all he was
worth. Determined not to do the thinl
by halyes-as Mr.. Oldercheck afterward
explained to his blase friend Of under
twenty-Reginald charged full tilt into
the tramp and sent him flying.
Then, springing of his machine Reg
inald let the thing fall, and flew at
Margot's assailant with the courage
and energy of a mastiff. After rolling
Grimes over and over, Reginald finally
give him a final shove into the ditch
despite a low "Old ard guv- -ner!')
and theR went back to Margot.
"Oh, thank you, so much, Mr. Older
check; how lucky you were so near!
That horrid mani"
III fly into him again If you like!"
was Reginald's ehlvalrous offer.
"Oh, no, you have punished him
enough, l think. Let US go back.
Stay with me, won't you"
"Of course ! will" exclaimed Regi-
nald, and so, wheeling his own ma
chine, he began to accompany Margot
back toward Woodchester at a slow