Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-12-22

a CHRISTMAS STORY.

salu FREQ 70 MS sister, as she held the
hall door open, while he, uttired in brown
velveteen with corduroy leggins to
match, wheeled his machine down the
steps. She smiled, thinking Of his boy
ish days, when Christmas without snow
cast gloom over his merry little heart.
She said nothing but CHEEKY ssgood-
bye. however, as he went through the
gate, and watched him with proud eyes
leap into the saddle and roll gracefully
down the avenue. The pure. crisp air
blew the brown ringlets n waves across
her forehead, as she stopped and broke
from holly bush a bunch OF the shin
ing. scarlet berries
Fred felt inexpressibly happy as he
started on that brisk morning ride; he
had the feeling Of independence that
belonged to him as a university sopho-
more; he bestrode glittering new ma
chine of which he was not a little proud !:
and more than all, he was going to call
on q young lady whose laughing eyes
and rosy lips had haunted him through
three long months of term work. Per
haps Miss Ethel would be out; the
thought made him quicken his pace.
" In that case, thought Master Fred, II
will chase her pony all over the country. !"
He turned off the avenue, down a cross
street, smooth and hard, and lined on
either side by great elms On one Of
these Fred heard q tremendous racket.
and soon discovered colony OF rocks.
cawing and chattering in the bare branch
es. AS he rode under them. the flock
rose with whirr: Fred turned his head
TO watch them; at that instant his wheel
struck something very solid. and its
careless rider, describing the quarter of
o circle over the obstacle, landed fiat
upon his back in front Of it. For a few
seconds the multitude Of stars. moons
and planets that danced before his eyes
prevented his seeing anything else; but
burst Of agitated laughter brought him
simultaneously to his feet and his senses.
In front Of him was dainty little tricy-
Gle. On one half of the cushioned seat
sat q young lady, her tiny boots on the
pedals. one glovcd hand on the steering
handle, the other hidden ii 4 little nun
upon her lap. Her brown eyes were
turned upon our hero with mixture Of
amusement, anxiety and vexation. Fred
doffed bis cap.
4 really beg pardon. Did / do any
damage. t was awfully careless, but
didn't see you at all. ["
$50 imagined when your bicycle ran
me down, she answered with demure
mischief.
Are you quite SIRE that you are not
at all hurt2 he asked again, anxiously.
Not in the least; but my carriage
may have suffered, and she glanced
over it with solicitous air. Fred made
careful inspection and finally reported
all right, then commenced again his
apologies. The truth Is, this susceptible
young man had evidently forgotten his
intended call, and had literally taken 4
header in love on the spot Perhaps the
yosng lady knew It, for she thanked him
with winning frankness aud glance
that he remembered long afterward.
However, nothing remained to be done
but 70 tip his cap and rescue his machine
from the gutter, which be did, regardless
Of bent-handle bar The tricycle. was
still m0tiDnlcss as lie turned again into
the road, and its charming rider looked
At him with perplexity.
4 an very sorry, but think the axle
must BE bent. she said, as he FASTENED
70 hers can hardly move it, al
basty examination showed him that she
was right Here was indeed dilemma.
and now happy thought struck Master
| Fred.
Won't you let mo help ron home
with iti / can leave my bicycle inside
! this hedge jnst as we'll ns not. and 1
really ought 70. you know. after being 50
1 careless z he added. trying not Ia appear
Too eager She thanked him with