Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-09-20
HER RIVAL.

republic of st. Croquet, was bicyclist.
Not only this-he was in love. He pro-
posed for Helene, bewitching blond just
entering her twentieth year, and was &C
cepted on condition that he would re-
nounco his "wheel" He declined per-
emptorily.
~ can name distinguished personages, "
he said to Helene's parents, "who"-
"It is useless. Your distinguished per-
sonages are vulgar people The horse! All,
yes! Speak of craftsmanship! That is dis
tingue-elegantl But riding bicyclc!"
"Thcn, sir" gravely said the notary,
speaking in his turn, mot only is this
plebeian pastime in doubtful taste, but
there are other reasons which oblige q
careful father to forbid it to his children.
This exercise is antihygienic."
"Antihygienic!" cried Sylvan. "On
the contrary, it is recommended by physi-
clans"
"Of course it is to their interest. But,
sir, as my newspaper very properly says,
'and the cardiac functions, where do they
como I'M? You are not familiar with the
works of the illustrious Professor Marcy.
The STOPPING position is pad; 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 jarring acts on the spinal
vertebre, affects the spinal marrow, not to
mention taking cold, falls, headers, etc"
"Nevcr," said the notaress, 'shall our
daughter be the companion of n 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
married pair settled in st. Croquct not far
from the wifc's parents. Sylvan was
much in love, and not the tinicst cloud
darkcned the honeymoon, but when the
spring returned Sylvan became dreamy,
taciturn. His face was sombcr. He seemed
agitatcd, could not keep still. He fell
back into his bachelor habits, neglected
his wife and returned to the club. He
would go out at 8 O'Clock and return just
in timo for dinner. Helene was troubled,
jealous She dissimulated. Sylvan had
recovered his good humor. He seemed
happy. On returning he was good tenn
pered and carcssing.
at is tho better to lull my suspicious, "
she thought. Urged by jealousy sho fol-
lowed him. Sylvan went first toward the
club, then quickly turning into narrow
street out into the country. He took lit
tie path which wound across the fields and
led to ncighboring 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
unboundcd. On her return home she COM
planned of headache and went to her
room. After 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?'
eyes, madam, but how did you know
He forbade its being mentioned
"That order does not concern nc"
$50 / see, since you know it.
81 am in tho secret. He comes every
day."
every day that God makes it is the
mans pleasure. He cannot do without it.
1t is his pustimc as he calls it.
"Ah! He calls that his pastimc. Is 1t
long since he brought this pastimo hore?"
1.-TWO months"
1.-TWO mOnths?"
"What would your 1t is an old flame"
"Ah, an old one"
"He had to give itup when he married"
"That was fortunate"
p,,t ba lil r,nt 1ncn Ct rr1,t Of ~ npH ha
came back. He could not resist"
"The wretch" she murmured.
"He is very careful Of it,"
"While he ncglccts mep'
"He makes no noise" continued the
peasant. "He stays two hours, then goes
back, hiding himself as when he came He
told me not to speak Of it on account of
his wife"
81 know, know; thank you, my good
man."
She went homo and abandoned herself
to her grief "Tho villain!r she said to
herself, doubt is no longer possible. He
is unfaithful He has settled my rival in
the neighborhood. She defles me to my
face. Who would have believed it, thought
1t Of him? Who can be trusted? l will IN
mask him."
She went to her parents, to whom, amid
floods of tears, she told all she knew.
"The hypocritc!' cried the notaress. "It
does not astonish me. We can expect any
thing from II magistrate who rides a bicy-
ole. You will get divorce, my daughter
Tomorrow we will surprise him. Till then
not word"
The next day Sylvan went out as usual
Half an hour later his wife and her moth
or were upon the path to the hamlet. In
spite of the objections of the peasant, they
entered the house. They found the rooms
empty, but in the garden they beheld the
deputy mounted on his bicycle
He hung his head like a schoolboy
pouubt In, ,nisobiof