Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-10-09

course, they were ready to do SO, and
they had SO much amusement out OF it
and the girls were go enthusiastic
about it that the next night they came
over to try it again, and the next and
then every night, taking turns at the
condemned wheel and constantly grow
ing more charmed with it.
Cary had sent to New York for a
mans bicycle, and as one by one the
girls became expert riders, the fever
grew, even the Preston twins catching
it; and Mrs. Preston, having been per-
suaded one evening to so over and see
them ride, anxiously watched, not to
see if they should appear with unruf-
fed dignity, but that they were IS
clever about it as the others. So
clever were they, in fact, that before
the evening was over she had promised
that they should each have one OF their
own if Cary would attend to the get
ting of them.
In this manner did Cary's plan
prosper, and he would report progress
to Miss Jessie every afternoon.
"I shall never be satisfied till have
the colonel's lady herself on a wheel, "
he said, roaring with laughter, for the
lady was very portly.
Three weeks had passed, when one
afternoon the twins bicy cles appeared.
At once they sent over for Cary to
come and inspect them, and when he
arrived he found the family all out in
front of the house trying them and
discussing their merits.
The twins raced around The circle
of hard road that surrounded the
lawn, and then insisted upon Gary
trying the wheels and racing with
them.
CHOW, Mrs. Preston" said Gary, as
he disnnounted, 'you must try one.
Don't be afraid.
sNo one has ever dared to say that
Preston was afraid of anything" "
she answered proudly; "but ! am too
stout.
'It would make you thin, if you
would stick to it," he answered.
"Do you really think 500" said the
lady. Bicycling was developing o new
interest for her.
"I have not any doubt of it all.
Just try it once around the circle.
Come, now. I promise you on my
honor not to let you fall"
And with the twins urging, too, the
colonel's lady finally yielded.
There was the clatter Of a horses
hoofs up the road, and between the
two long rows of trees that led to the
house came a chestnut horse, with the
little trim figure seated on it sharply
outlined against the glow OF the set
ting sun.
The colonels lady, intent upon
keeping her balance, though Cary's
strong arm was about her, heard moth
ing of it until the rider drew up in
front of the door and sat immoyable
in amazement as the lady came putting
around the other side of the circle.
Gary cast one triumphant look at the
rider, and Jessie, who had come to
call, slipped lightly from the saddle.
While she was herself tying the horse
under tree, Mrs. Preston had also
dismounted, and, very much flushed,
came forward to welcome her.
"Don't you like it?" said Jessie.
'Is it not lovely2 Oh, I am so glad
you are riding; now no one will care
if 1 do. And aren't they beauties y
she finished to the twins.
Mrs. Preston regarded her sharply,
but there was only frank pleasure in
the girls face, and she made up her
mind to gracefully accept the sltua,
tion, aud just then the colonel himself
came out.
"Look out, girls" he said; eli
your mother takes to riding, reckon
you will have trouble to keep up with
her."
They wanted Jessie to try the new
wheels, but she said she could not il
her long habit, 80 she admired the
twins while they showed her how ex'
pert they were already, thanks tc
Cary, and she, too, had a chance t.
give him one grateful look. When shs
was ready to go, Gary helped he'
mount, and whispered he thought h
could safely return her wheel in day
or two; and then, with o happy
heart, she rode away toward tho rec
evening sky.