The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-23
HER RIVAL.

EepuDIc OF 81. CrOQ ue6s was d DlCyc4lsb.
Not only this-he was in love. He pro-
posed for Helene, bewitching blond Just
entering her twentieth year, and was ac-
cepted on condition that he would re-
nounce his stwhSel.'' He declined per-
emptorily.
81 can name distinguished personages,
be said to Helene's parents, "who''-
''It is useless. Your distinguished per-
sonages are vulgar people. The horsel All,
yesl Speak of horsemanshipl That is dis
tingue-elegantl But riding a btcycleF
''Then, SIR gravely said the notary,
speaking in his turn, "not only is this
plebeian pastime in doubtful taste, but
there are other reasons which oblige a
careful father to forbid it to his children.
This exercise is antihygienio."
"AntihygienicP cried Sylvan. "On
the contrary, it is recommended by physi-
clans"
t'Of course it is to their interest. But,
sir, as my newspaper very properly says,
'and the cardiac functions where do they
come inf? You are not familiar with the
works of the illustrious Professor Marcy.
The STOPPING position is bad; it is anti
physiological; it causes atrophy OF the
muscles of the back
Zone can sit straight
''That is worse. Itpredisposes to strains
Besides the Earring acts on the spinal
mention taking cold, falls, headers, etc. F."
Never said the notaress, ''shan bur
daughter be the companion of bicycler.'
In vain did Sylvan plead the cause of
the bicycle He was forced to promise to
renounce it. Helene was so pretty.
Sir said the notary, making parody
of Henry Tvs famous words, my daugh-
ter is surely worth bicycle"
The marriage took place, and the newly
;o1 oil IaH in
from the wifes parents. Sylvan was
much in love, and not the tiniest cloud
darkened the honeymoon, but when the
spring returned Sylvan became dreamy,
taciturn His face was somber. He seemed
agitated, could not keep still. He fell
back into his bachelor habits, neglected
his wife and returned to the club. He
would go out at O'Clock and return just
in time for dinner. Helene was troubled,
Jealous She dissimulated. Sylvan had
recovered his good humor He seemed
haDpv On returning he was good tenn
pered and caressing.
cit is the better to lull my suspicious, -
she thought. Urged by jealousy she fol-
lowed him. Sylvan went first toward the
club, then quickly turning into narrow
street out into the country. He took q lit
tie path which wound across the fields and
led to a neighboring hamlet, near which
she saw him enter an isolated house.
She was convinced of her misfortune.
| Her husband was weary of her after six
| months of married life. Her sorrow was
unbounded. On her return home she COM
planned of a headache and went to her
! room After a night Of tears she set out
! the next day for the hamlet. On the
threshold of the isolated cottage stood an
old peasant Trembling, she questioned
him.
'This is the house which the deputy
took?''
Yes madam, but how did you knowi
He forbade its being mentioned
'tThat order does not concern me"
$50 see, since you know it..
81 am in the secret. He comes every
dayP''
EVERY day that God makes It is the
mans pleasure He cannot do without it.
1t is his pastime, as he calls it. -
"Ah! He calls that his pastime. Is il
long since he brought this pastime hereT
1.-Two months. "
"Two months?'
"What would your 1t is an old fame. -
"Ah, an old one"
''He had to give it up when he married. u
'That was fortunate. -
F'But he did not lose sight of it, and be
came back. He could not resist
"The wretchr' she murmured.
"He is very careful of it..
"While he neglects me!'
"He makes no noise" continued the
peasant He stays two hours, then goes
back, hiding himself as when he came HI
told me not TO speak of it on account o.
his wife,
81 know, I know; thank you, my goot
man.
She went home and abandoned hersel
to her grief 1.-THE viieinl" she said t
herself, doubt is no longer possible. FL
is unfaithful He has settled my rival il
the neighborhood. She defies me to my
face. Who would have believed it, though
it of himP Who can be trusted? will un
mask him.
She went to her parente, to whom, amiC
floods of tears, she told nj she knew.
"The hypOcrite!' cried the notaress. 81
does not astonish me. We can expect any
thing from a magistrate who rides a bicy
Gle. You will get a divorce, my daughter
Tomorrow we will surprise him. Till thel
not word
The next day Sylvan went out as usual
| Half an hour later his wife and her moth
er were upon the path to tie hamlet L
spite of the objections of the peasant, the
entered the house. They found the room
empty, but in the garden they beheld tn
deputy mounted on his bicycle.
He hung his head like a schoolbo
caught in mischief.
"You know all, he said, "though
had hidden myself so wellp'
Helene threw her arms about his neck
$50 that is my rivall'' she cried. ''An
who thought you unfaithful to mel Or
forgive my having suspected you'll"
Foolish onel Could you think love
another" he laughed.
"Son in-iaw,' said the notaress sheer
; ishly, ''you did not keep your promise
LET him alone, - said Helene. II al
SO happy"
Husband and wife returned arm in arr
some time after and in spite of the mott
er-in-law they both rode tandem. Ye
the wretches Exchange
Gladstone As+Dnfsbed the Ita1 ians.