The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-14

rushing at Bill i've been looking for
him.
Bob stepped between.
Hes had enough for the present. he
laughed.
Bill Loucks staggered upstairs to his room.
On the landing he paused. glanced threat
eningiy back at Bob and growled. between
his teeth: G.
Curse you! You may not pay your work.
men. but you'n pay me for that bIow!"
Meantime Claude was busy explaining to
Bob
You eee," he said. at was this way:
Miss Ora introduced me to Jolly little girl
named Angie Vollmer-a friend OF hers. It
seems Ezra Cookus is sweet on Angle. just
as our friend Bill seems to be on Miss Ora.
The two fellows came along looking for
trouble. and guess they found It all right
all right. They rushed me. I-sidestepped
and then was all over them I handed out
bunch of uppercuts to Ezra and he ran.
with me after him. He hid somewhere and
! came back to finish the other one
''Claudev' called Gladys. from tho door
'the horses are ready. Take me back to
ths hotel
.'If you insist on going" said Bob, It'll
take you"
mo. thanks" sneered Gladys: TN leave
you hero with your Madonna IN the Sun
bonnet Claude will go with me-"
81 say. Bob" whispered Claude. as he ana
his sister we're about to start. you'd bet
ter follow pretty quickly. I didn't like
the look that Loucks fellow gave you Look
out for him. He may get back at you
Don't worry" laughed Blessing. II fan
cy can handle either OF both of those
worthies"
| He turned back into the room, to find
Ora weeping bitterly.
Don't cry" he begged: 'it's only Miss
Middleton's way: that's all. She may
change her tune before long, he added un-
der his breath
"'Tain't that" sobbed Ora. .Tt's only
I'm SO ashamed of Bill and Ezra actin I'D
like that when there was company.
Don't think Of It. Wen have a Jolly
dinner, after all, you and gramma and T.
NO. no: you mustn't wait. A thunder
storm is comm up. and. besides, Bill and
Ezra may. They'd be two to one against
] you. Go now while you have time You've
got your wheel there at the gate Take
the towpath along the river. That's the
| shortest way back to the hotel'' =
And leave you unprotected. ehf No.
thanks
The girl walked over to the stove and
lifted the kettle. with its boiling contents
I'm not so unprotected as look she
said. ''This'd hold Bill for awhile, /
| guess And, anyhow. It's not me he'd harm;
| It's you. You've made him fate you Look
| out for hint"
| If I'll go now will you promise to per-
suade your grandmother to bring you TO
the hop at the hotel week after next@'
yes, promised the girl. viewing the APP
preaching storm with alarm. But so!'
| Then good-by, little GIRL" and he stopped
| and kissed her hand before mounting his
| wheel.
! AS he sped away in the gathering gloom
second figure crawled from behind the
| cottage, sprang on a bicycle and followed
| him.
Quick as the pursuer was, ora's keen eyes
| saw him.
| "Bill Loucks!' sac exclaimed to herself.
Hell overtake Mr.. Blessing on that lone
~ towpath.''
For a moment she stood irresolute.
Then she ran quickly indoors. emerging
| an instant later with q rise under her
arm.
Hurrytns to where her bicycle stood, she
mounted and dashed down tho towpath in
pursuit.
Tho STORM broke In all It's fury.
The rain fell in cataracts. while crash
after crash Of thunder shook the whole
earth.
From time to- time the pitchy darkness
was lighted up BY binding lightning
| flare.
One Of these flashes revealed the tow
path. with Bob Biessing pedaling along,
head down and eyes strainins to trace the
indistinct track.
second fash revealed another wheel
man close behind. gaining at every second
on the foremost rider.
The pursner's front wheel slowly: over
lapped blessings rear wheel.
Yet IN the deafeiting roar OF thunder and
Il - ~ ~ y 80