Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-08-18
LOVE ON THE WHEEL.
They VIII Hereafter Ride on Bicycle
Built for Two.

Built for Two.
"Then you wish me never to return?'
Never" she answered, with an Ell
! fort that cost her much. There was
now no doubt in her mind that she
loved him. If she had ever questioned
the fact in those hours Of solitude when
she subjected her heart to the severe
| scrutiny of reason, now in the cold
moment of parting she did not doubt.
He was going at her bidding, but how
could it be otherwise? She was Wo-
man of spirit and would not be die
tated to. and when he said she must not
ride a bicycle her womanhood rebelied.
Love will sacrifice much, but not all.
The duties of a fiancee she was happy
10 meet and to perform, the RESPONSE
bilities of wifehOod. soon to be assumed,
she. was ready to assume, but how lonS
can love last when it yields itself up a
slave to tyranny? Not long in very
| truth.
You must not ride a bicycle" he had
said
Must notr she cried, springing from
his arms. in which she had for the mo-
ment nestled.
That's what I said" said he, petu-
eACtly. 1t will make you EOund-shoul-
YyEied."
She eyed him angrily for moment.
"Round-shoulderedw she cried" Oh,
YOU men, you men. Had | married you
and grown round-shouldered making
nv own dresses you would not have
murmured Had we gone hand in hand
oh erppFtrn
round from bending over laundry
stove, you would have permitted 1t; but
because 1 choose to acquire a hump
back riding a wheel for pleasure, you
use that word-that wicked word-must
to me-who have loved you, declined to
dance and drive with others for you
ON. George. George, George
well. | mean it," said he, calmly.
Choose between us-me or the bicycle
which is it to be?''
She made no answer, but walking to
the porch. rang the bell of her wheel.
II was his answer, and he realized 1t.
| do not care for bicycling she said,
"but can have no must nots in my life.
Leave me-
He walked out into the night, and
Parthenia. throwing herself Imply up
on her wheel. pedaled weepingly in the
other direction. forgetting to light her
lamp.
George Washburne walked modify
down the road, which one short hour
before he trayersed with so light a
heart.
"Heigho" said he. all my life shat
tered in a moment. Ii she knew but
how loved her-if she-could only have
! guessed my motive in speaking as did
that | wished always to be at her
side, and that, if she rode, l could not,
since. try as | will, cannot myself ride
a wheel It is beyond me. and yet l
| have not dared 10 confess to her that I
have tried to learn and cannot. In his
wife's eyes a man should be a hero,
capable of all things. Surprising I had
told her of the lessons | had taken in
secret at the academy, of the dents my
head has made in the hardwood floor,
of the attendants | have run over and
crippled. and the wheels / have shat
tered. until the manager of the place
has told me-even as she has-never TO
return. It would have lowered me in
her esteem. i cannot cannot tell her,
and shatter respect for her former
fiancee.
AS he spoke he reached his own front
door and was about 10 enter when his
heart grew too full. Il canGCt go in
vet" he said. Il will at least walk
back and gaze upon the light in her
window
Prey to melancholy, the unhappy man
fulfilled his destiny. Back he walked,
eloomily Illuminating over the future,
now so black Deep in his thoughts, he
did not notice where he was going, he
did not notice that he was passing Par
thenias house: he did not observe that
he was ascending Coasters hill. a half
mile beyond: he did not even hear a
rumbling noise in the distance, which
should have taught him caution Alasl
tbouehtless mortal: and yet how hap
pilv an transpired. There came crash,
y tbud and a moan.
George Washburne lay unconscious
IN the road.
Parthenia HickswOrthy stood, having
landed on her feet ten yards distant
Pressing the PROSTATE man to the
earth were the shattered remains OF her
wheel. is cyclometer resting on his vest
pocket and its left pedal grasped firmly
in the unconscious victims hand.
It was spring. George Washburne.
who had lain for three weeks delirious,