, 1889-12-01

There mere peinB the winner. Three OF
the best city riders are going to try our
strength. There are some tough hills
coming this way, and some of the fell
lows here say am afraid with those city
men, for fear / lose my record. 1t
would be pretty hard on me if / failed,
but l won't back down and ! intend to
win. One of the city riders brags so
that l a to outride him in particular.
It'll be a great race, and win decide a
long rivalry"
How / should like to see you come in
the winner" said Ted, sadly. 81 re-
member how I used to like to watch you
riding"
"And I'd give worlds, Ted, to see you
riding again." responded Hal, sorrow
fully.
"Ahl that'n never be. But it's a little
comfort 10 sit and picture to myself how
you look, SO strong and graceful. and to
think what a pleasure riding is to you.
Do try and win the race, Hal"
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 we'll 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 hat it was settled.
This picnic was a great affair in the
village, both old and young being invited,
and there was always a royal time.
1t may seem strange that Hal should
want it on the day of the bicycle race,
unless n 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-
lievc 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
ne 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 u~nspeakable pain of
parting with the instrument, that he
could scarcely restrain the impulse to
exclaim: Tied, it must not be; l must
spare you this loss" But presently the
blind lad stopped-ran his fingers low
inn1v acrNoo fla Iraro ,r,,tl,N,,t ,o,,Nl:.-
them; then softly. sadly and ~resolutely,
he closed the lid, and with a sigh arose
to leave the room.
Hal sprang up, grasping his hand and
exclaimed:
Tied, I'm SO sorry; but maybe we can
save it yet. I'll try"
mo, no, Hal" 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 so 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.
"T1l sit all the afternoon by the road
where the race is to be, and Lucy will
tell ma how far you are ahead Of the
others, Hal" said Ted, his face lighting
up with pleasant an%ticipations. ~ want
you to win SO mnch."
Lucy looked gratefully at Hal, with
glstening eyes, as if to say, You are so
kind to provide this pleasure then
thinking he might not understand her,
said with a 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
n side of the road were Halls admir-
ers; OF 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 Gomez
arose, and, sure enough, away down on
the white road, glimmering in the sun
light, was seen a cloud of dust, from
which darted twinkling CLEANS of Pol-
ished steel. Nearer it came, and the
uuSI ODSCuIeu tue u Tluer from
the eagerly peering eyes. Nearer still it
came. and, like a fash, the first COMPETE
tor wheeled by, his bright wheel glitter
ing like a 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
and shame for Hal. Could he be SO far
behind? What was wrong? But the
yellow dust soon slowly settled down on
the sultry road and he did no. come.
Where's your great champion nowT'
sneered Banks friends.
Hes flunked; the baby" was the sui
len reply.
Hes fallen and hurt himself" saio