The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1911-11-09

Chester Albury FLETCHER gtraddled
his coaster and patiently waited for
the old lady who was descending the
steep hill. to reach the bottom.
Chester did not like old ladies' a.
least whom they were on the Gardner
street hill.
Gardner street had gutter covers az
the street corners and one could COAST
the whole three blocks Of the hill,
and run along on the level sidewalk
for perhaps another block, The Red
Racer could so further than any
other coaster when the axles were
creased which was Whenever Ches-
ter could and a wagon and no driver
watching.
Mira. Halsey finally reached the bot
tom Of the hill and turned into SUIT
tom street, 90 with q whoop Chester
drew up his feet and the Red Racer
was OF. The coaster gained speed
with every revolution Of the wheels
and Ut the end Of the second block
was tearing along finely. Chester had
lately encountered coal wagon
freshly CREASED and the axles Of his
own wagon were now well supplied
He yelled q warning as he neared
the corner Of Sutton street. Ben
Travis was crossing the street in q
STRANGELY absent minded manner. He
did not seem to hear the shouts nor
the rattle OF the wheels. and Chester,
being but eight and yet to experience
his own nrst touch OF the master pas
sion, could not know that Elsie Bay
ard, coming along Sutton street In the
opposite direction. was responsible
for Ben's abstraction.
Ii Is rather embarrassing to come
face to face with girl who only the
night before has passionately declared
that she never wants to see you
again. Travis was wondering
whether to bow or to act as though
he had never seen Elsie before. In
the face OF such an absorbing prob
lem It was not strange that he should
not hear the coaster.
Elsie herself was equally engaged in
trying TO decide whether she would
bow coidly II Ben AID bow and so It
happened that, unconscious Of the rat
tie OF the wheels. she stepped almost
directly in the path Of the speeding
coaster.
With q quick twist Of the wheels
Chester essayed to pass between the
two. He could have made It had not
Ben sprung forward to push Elsie out
Of the way and had come himself d.
rectly in the path OF the machine.
There wasla crash, a cry and Ches-
ter rolled over into the gutter while
Ben lay still and white at Elsie's feet.
-Unmindful Of her dainty dress, Elsie
threw herself upon her knees beside
the unconscious man. A little crowd
soon gathered and prohered aid. One
brought glass Of water and with this
Elsie restored Ben to consciousness
and assisted him into the drug store
on the corner. He had been badly
shaken up, but Eisie's ministrations
we're more potent than the stimulant
that the druggist proffred, and pres.
entity he rose weakly to his feet and
announced his ability to get home I'M
assisted.
II am going with you" declared Ell
sic. You are not at to go by your
SELF
do not trouble" urged Ben, though
his eyes twinklad You have done far
more than have q right to expect
from stranger"
"DOn't!" cried elsie with a little
shudder. 81 was thinking Of that when
you lay there so still and white. Had
you died never could have forgiven
myself
"Then you mean" questioned
Ben.
81 mean that / am sorry for last
night" she confessed. But II 1t had
not been for the accident should not
have realized It."
Funny | didn't hear the cart com
ing. saw you and was wondering
whether you would recognize me-"
Il was wondering If you would
bow, admitted Elsie 'Then the first
thing that knew the cart was COM
ing toward me and you sprang to
save me and got hurt yourself. That
Fl tcher boy ought to be given . good
spanking"
ITO the contrary. demurred Ben, I
think that we owe him a great deal.
I wonder what became Of him?"
There's the cart" suggested Elsie.
pointing to q battered wheel and a
splintered plank by the roadway.
Behind the tree they discovered
Chester. bravely blinking back the
tears as he regarded the remnants Of
his once cherished possession.
Whist did you Jump that way for?''
be demanded Of Ben. as he hooked up
to encounter Travis gaze. Il could
have steered between you easy as
not.
"But We didn't want anything to
come between US, explained Travis
with the twinkle In his eye
"He was trying to save me from be-
ing run down. added Elsie proudly.
= Il could have made It easy de-
eIared Chester. his pride as steers
man aroused. TT was because he