" Oh, come, Jack, don't grind all the time, and besides—" here
he stooped down and whispered something in his companion's ear,
something that brought a flush to his cheeks, and with an " I'll
kb," he jumped to his feet and began to don his bicycle suit.
His mission ended, Jim hastened away shouting back, " I knew
you would come," as he passed through the door.
The speakers in question were Jack Winters and Jim Ralston,
Or, more accurately, John Winthrop Winters and James Ralston.
The scene of the conversation was a room on the second floor of
the main building of Lincoln College. It was now Jack's fourth
year at Lincoln, and by his good nature and willingness to oblige
his comrades, he had become a general favorite.
Near the college, and with its campus adjoining, was situated
a girl's seminary, and many were the attempts of the students of
both institutions to elude the vigilance of watchful faculties.
• When Jack Winters appeared with his bicycle he found his
companions ready, and they immediately set out on their after
noon's pleasure.
The day was as nearly perfect as could be desired. The sur
rounding country was green with the near approach of summer,
while above, the sun was shining brightly and the azure blue of a
northern sky was dotted here and there with fleecy patches of
White. A gentle breeze was blowing, and as the cyclists emerged
from the grounds upon a beaten roadbed they gave vent to their
spirits in a yell that only a crowd of collegians know how to emit.
On they sped until a bend of the road hid them from view.
And then—was it by accident or design ?—they discovered a num
ber of the seminary girls mounted upon their wheels and seeming
in nowise astonished at the sudden appearance of the boys.
As they rode up Jack Winters scanned the group until at last
his eyes rested on one, the sight of whom brought a flush of pleas
ure to his face. He pedaled to her side and to his salutation
Miss Stratton, for that was her name, responded by a bright nod
and a smile that showed her to be more intimately acquainted
with the handsome young collegian than might be suspected.
He had met her two years before, during his Sophomore year, at a
commencement hop, when her merry face with its mischievous
blue eyes impressed him more than he cared to admit. She, then,
Was the cause of Jack Winter's willingness to take a spin this June
afternoon. She was the cause of the smiling remark of Jim Ral
ston, " I knew you would come."
The Free Lance
[JANUARY,