The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-12

me.
Why not back myself TO win Miss
Preston! She had money and a pretty
lace. | was considered handsome, and
II she looked for q partner such rs
Nine. Hemora had pictured for her,
then | stood fair chance. Taking Il
coin from my pocket l tossed it up.
Heads | got her, tails | don't. 1t fell
head so that decided it, l had to go.
When June came /, like q knight of
old, mounted my steed and rode forth
in search of adventure.
The steed was a cycle in my case.
and the adventure was the attempt to
win the fair Miss Preston. [ was pre-
pared to risk bruises and even broken
limbs for her.
My plan was to have a mishap near
her dwelling at Irvington. Make the
worst of it and, if possible. secure an
introduction to her through this At
ter that should leave it to luck Nine.
Zemora's prediction and my appear
ance to do the rest
In due time, mounted on my wheel, l
reached Iryington. secured rooms. COS.
siped with the landlord and managed
to gain all the information L required
as to the residence of Miss Preston.
The Following day l rode in that di.
rection. and discovered that 1.-THE Pom
lars stood about quarter of a mile
out of the village, at the foot of rath
er steep hill. Luck certainly favored
me; it was just the place for a spill.
especially if attempted AS 1 passed
the gates l saw female on the lawn
playing with terrier The dog, see
Ing a stranger, barked. This caused
the lady to glance my way.
Sure enough it was the original of
the photograph. Fair hair. slim figure
and as pretty as or more so, than the
camera had pictured.
The next day determined to win or
die. Riding through the village / ar
rived at the TOP of the hill which would |
take me past The Poplars.' Dis
mounting, l loosened The screws con-
nected with the brake, putting it out |
of order. Then, mounting, / started |
down the hill.
The machine seemed endowed with
life as it bounded forward AS the
speed grew greater my courage grew
less. OF course l could have used my
foot as a brake, but a mishap had to
happen somehow, and as we'll this way
as any other.
Faint heart ne'cr won fair LADY,
and like knight riding full speed
down the course to charge his riyal-so
down the hill 1 few. The gate posts
Of THE Poplars" seemed to rush to-
ward me. l set my teeth and prepared
to break as few limbs as possible.
steering the machine so as to catch the
gate post | took my hands from the
to break the fall Smash
md as the machine rebouEded. l fell
n heap in the gateway. My arm
panied me, and l felt dazed as | lay
md groaned.
The terrier had evidently witnessed
ny unfortunate affair, and came bark
ng to the gates. Presently, 1 heard
teps coming near, then voice:
Robert, Robert! come here quick,
ONE one has had an accidentw
| groaned to let them know / was
live. The gate opened, and through
ny half-closed eyes l saw Miss Pes
on and a man servant Then a sweet
oice said:
Poor fellow. he's unconscious Undo
is collar. Robert while | get some
Robert obeyed, and Miss Preston
rought the stimulant, pouring some
Trough my clinched teeth. 4,
| felt ashamed of the part I was
laying, but considering the risks run,
would go through with it.
"We must get him into the house.
'obert. Can we manage it, or had you =
etter fetch Sam?"
Robert thought it would be too :,
luch for his young missuS. So to save
lrther trouble, l gave a big sigh and :,
owly opened my eyes. .
where am II" l gasped.
you've lad a nasty fall; but let us r
clip you into the house." said Miss 1,
reston III persuasive voice. q
Thanks" l muttered slowly as
inning a sitting position Then, as .
attempted to lift my left arm, l gave
cry of paint was genuine cry this i,
arm was useless. "
Miss Preston;s voice trembled rs she
sked: Does your arm hurt? Is it q
,oken?' a.
''Yes. l think it is" I exclaimed as II
18th Roberts help 1 got TO my feet. a
seemed to be the only serious dam e.