The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-02-28
Bardsleying and Miss wilmotting one

lightly. I'VE don't know much oi
each other yet. However. he is q
splendid cycling master"
We'll, tell him to bring you back
to tea," said Mrs. Bardsley, feeling
that it was weak of her to vie d
but not well seeing what othel
course to pursue. 1t seemed an odd
thing that, during all this spring
her nephew and niece had never
manifested the slightest disposition
to foregather until now, when, for
the first time, she felt a wish to
keep them apart.
Vernon went forth into the hall
and out at the open door, where
Jem, whistEng softly, was standing
in charge of the two bicycles.
Il don't think Aunt Emma much
liked our going she remarked.
Because it's Sunday afternoon, |
suppose" said Jem calmly; and the
girl accepted the explanation, and
wondered that she had not thought
of it before.
You won't mind our taking Selma
Umfravile with us, will you?" he
asked, as they rode out at the gate.
"Of course not" said Vernon, "only
she rides much better than l do, and
| shall feel a little ashamed"
Rats was what Jem found to
reply to this. He glanced with the
pride of the artist at the upright
seat, the ankle play, the straight
course and flat elbows of his pupil
Vernon was losing the horror she
had at first experienced when she
guessed that Jem was attracted TO
Selma. She had considerably modi-
fled her opinion of him. 1t seemed
unquestionable that he was making
an effort to break off relations with
Mrs. Trent-an effort which. she felt
sure, was costing him a good deal.
II he was thus striving to master
himself for the sake of the vounp
girl whom he was growing to love.
she, Vernon, was quite ready to
help him in any way she could. If
1T amused him to teach her cycling
and to ride with her-if it kent
him away from Barrow End. she
ri inh
her part to make it easier for him
to do well-to lead him on to be a
better husband for the wayward. fas-
cinating child at Ponthewel
Il wish l had known Selma was
coming; it might have consoled Aunt
Emma" she said after a minute "I
believe she thought our going out to.
gether might scandaize Mrs. Grun-
dy."
"Oh, was that it?" said Jem. well |
folks do talk hereabouts. Let us 90 !
down Ash Lane, so as not to pass
Sophia's door. She usually has her
knife into me-"
They went down Ash Lane ac-
cordingly, and so, by the prettiest
OF routes to PontheweL Selma
said she would walt for us at the
LODGE said Jem. But when they got
there, she was not to he seen.
They dismounted and waited a
little while, then Jem said he would
Just ride up to the house, { Miss
Wilmot did not mind waiting. He
1arted out of sight, and VarHop
sat down upon the bank by the
roadside, and lost herself lin
of the wondrous beau
y of rural England in the month of
Nay.
Presently he was back again
alone. He looked ruffled. "She is not
he said. "Umfraville seems
o have cut up rough. Or pernlps
t is Frampie; she is rather IN old
rock, and does anything Sophia tells
ler."
What a pity" said Vernon. Did I
hey not give any reason"
"Umfraville said he didn. like
Ter going about quite so inform ally '
Did you say that ! was rleekly
vaiting at the park gate?"
Yes. He suggested hat we sh1Ill
10Th go up to tea with them instead 5
II our ride. But l saIl yOu wanted J
D practice for the gymkhana." {
Indeed, yes. want 10 go and see !
he baby cygnets.' said Vernon, '
her machine into me road I
ith determination
Il hoped you would. But of course, s
you like. we will go and srend !
he afternoon there with them" i
Which would you like said Yer
on, suddenly struck With a Iol.on t
f her own selfislIness. "rha. is the t
IIestinn WOuidn'. v,r ra'hn- lao d