The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-20
riding y

riding"
"And I'd give worlds, Ted, to see you
riding again." responded Hal. sorrow
fully.
"Ah! that'n never be. But it's little
comfort to sit and picture to myself how
YOU look, so strong and graceful, and to
think what pleasure riding is to you.
Do try and win the race, Hail."
When he left Mr.. Amdon followed him
to the gate, and sorrowfully told him
they must let Ted's organ go.
He was deeply grieved at the prospect
of telling his afflicted son of it, and Hal,
seeing how well this accorded with Ted's
plans. told him he would relieve him of
| the sad task. The old man, with tears
running down his face, earnestly thanked
him and hurried into the house.
The question arose the very next day
in Ted's school as to when they should
have their annual picnic, and Hal argued
so strongly in favor of the following Fri
day that it was settled.
This picnic was a great affair in the
village, both old and young being invited,
and there was always royal time.
It may seem strange that Hal should
want it on the day of the bicycle race,
unless one might think that, as the route
of the race lay through the picnic woods,
he desired to show off to the crowd, as
he would go spinning by far in advance
of his competitors; but we will not be-
Iieve that of Hal, for, indeed, he had a
far nobler motive He thoughtfully saw
that if Ted could be taken to the picnic
on Friday he would be spared the pain
of being at home when the organ was
taken away.
When he went to Ted's house the next
morning Ted was so absorbed in music
that Halls entrance was unnoticed, and
he sat down quietly so as not to inter-
rupt him. He was playing his farewell
piece, and it was so mournful and mani
tested so clearly the unspeakable pain Of
parting with the instrument, that he
could scarcely restrain the impulse to
exclaim: 'Ted, it must not be; / must
spare you this loss" But presently the
blind lad stopped-ran his fingers low
ingly across the keys without sounding
them; then softly. sadly and resolutely,
he closed the lid, and with sigh arose
to leave the room.
Hal sprang up, grasping his hand and
exclaimed:
"Ted, I'm so sorry; but maybe we can
save it yet. I'll try"
''No, no. Hail." responded Ted, "you
must not Let it go now. Twelve
made up my mind to part from it,"
Just then Lucy entered, saying it was
time to go to the station, and they ten
derby led Ted from the room. Hal was
to accompany them to the train that was
to take them to the picnic.
"I'n sit all the afternoon by the road
where the race is to be, and Lucy will
tell me how far you are ahead of the
others, Hal" said Ted, his facs lighting
up with pleasant anticipations. II want
you to win so mnch."
| Lucy looked gratefully at Hal, with
glistening eyes, as if to say, "You are so
kind to provide this pleasure;" then
thinking he might not understand her,
said with blush: Don't fail in the
race; Ted has set heart so on your win.
ming"
And Hal, with a troubled look on his
face, merely replied, "Tll do my BEST"
and hurried away.
That afternoon Lucy found a pleas
ant, shady seat under a large tree by
the road in the woods, and there she
and Ted waited for the bicycle race.
Many others had come there also. On
! one side of the road were Halls admir-
ers; on the other those of his rival
many biting words and satirical express
sions shot back and forth, and much
feverish expectancy was apparent.
! At length the cry, "Here they comet"
arose, and, sure enough, away down on
the white road, glimmering in the SUM-
light, was seen a cloud of dust, from
WINCH darted twinkling CLEANS of pol-
| ished> Fteel. Nearer it came, and the
dust obscured the advance rider from
the eagerly peering eyes, Nearer still it
came, and, like Sfash, the first COMPETE
tor wheeled by, his bright wheel glitter
ing like shower of meteors.
The expected cheer, the signal of vic
tory, did not arise. There was surprised
silence, for the rider wore the uniform
of the city club.
| But here came another cloud of dust,
| surely gaining on the first.
"This must be Goodwin" murmured
Halls followers.
''This must be Banks" muttered the
others.
But the glittering steel flew quietly
! but swiftly by, and it was neither.
Then they waited in breathless dread
nd shame for Hal. Could he be so far
behind? What was wrong? But the
yellow dust soon slowly settled down on
he sultry road and he did not come
"Where's your great champion now?"
neered Banks friends.
'Hes flunked; the baby" was the sui
reply.
"Hes fallen and hurt himself" said
I'd, apprehensively.
Il hope not" said Lucy, and she felt
that she was pale, and was half glad for
! once that Ted could not see.
Keenly disappointed at Halls failure,
Ted returned from tho picnic, to take up
the burden of his loss, and he felt, some
how, that he could have borne it better
had Hal only won tn race. Lucy tried
to cheer him, but wi little success, for
her own heart ached too sorely for him.
Their mother met them at the door,
and, at her greeting the poor lads
brave struggle to appear cheerful and
resigned to his own loss was touchingly
apparent.