The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-08-01
LOVE ON THE WHEEL.
They VIII Hereafter Ride on a Bicycl,
Built for Two.

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 her 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
woman of spirit and would not be die
tated to. and when he said she must
not ride bicy Gle, her womanhood re-
belled. Love will sacrifice much, but
not all. The duties of fancee she
was happy to meet and to perform; the
responsibilities of wifehood, soon to be
assumed she was ready to assume, but
how long can love last when it yields
itself up slave to tyranny? Not long
in very truth.
"You must not ride a BICYCLE" he
had said.
Must not!' she cried, springing from
his arms in which she had for the mo-
ment nestled.
That's what I said" said he, petu-
lantly. cit will make you round
shouldered"
She eyed him angrily for moment.
"Round-shouldere dr. she cried. ''Oh,
you men, you men Had l married you
and grown round-shouldered making
my own dresses you would not have
murmured. Had we gone hand in hand
into poverty. and my shoulders grown
round from be nding over a laundry
stove, you would have permitted it;
but because l choose to acquire a
hump-back riding wheel for pleasure,
you use that word-that wicked word
must to me-who have loved you, de-
clined to dance and drive with others
for you-oh, 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.
1t was his answer, and he realized it.
81 do not care for BICYCLING" she
SAID, but l can have no must nots in
my life. Leave me-"
He walked out into the night, and
Parthenia, throwing herself Imply
upon her wheel, pedaled weepingly in
the other direction, forgetting to light
her lamp.
George Washburne walked moodily
down the road, which one short hour
before he traversed with so light
heart.
"Heighor' said he. "All my life shat
tered in a moment. If 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, could not,
since, try as l will, l cannot myself
ride wheel 1t is beyond me, and yet
/ have not dared to confess to her that
have tried to learn and cannot. In
| his wife's eyes man should be a hero,
capable of all things. Surprising had
| told her Of the lessons l have taken in
secret at the academy, of the dents my
head has made in the hardwood floor,
of the attendants l have run over and
crippled and the wheels | have shat
tered, until the manager of the place
has told me-eveu as she has-never to
return. 1t would have lowered me in
her esteem. | cannot, cannot tell her,
and shatter her respect for her former
fance."
AS he spoke he reached his own front
! door, and was about to enter when his
heart grew too full. II cannot go in
yet" he said. 81 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, gloomily Eliminating 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 Parthenia's 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. Alas! thoughtless mortal;
and yet how happily all tran spir ed
There came a crash, thud, and a
moan.
George Washpurne lay unconscious
in the road
Parthenia Hiclssworthy stood, having
landed on her feet ten yards distant.
Pressing the PROSTATE man to the
earth were the shattered remains of
her wheel, its cyclometer resting on
his vest pocket and its left pedal
grasped firmly in the unconscious VIC
TINS hand.
1t was spring. George Washburne,
who had lain for three weeks delirious,
opened his eyes. Reason had returned
and his arm had knit.
SAT last" sobbed fair girl, who,
with his sister, sat at the sick mans
side.
"Where am II" he gasped.
Here, George" said Parthenia, for
it was she. Here. I'll never ride
again"
Sweetheart, was it your he MUIR
INJURED
1T was, George" she answered, with
a sob. II had not lit my lamp-and
was coasting-and then-thea it hap
pened. But never mind, my darling,
shall never bike again"
''Oh, my love" he said, grasping hel
hand and lifting it to his lips, do not
say that. Bike as much as you will
the wheel that maligned brought us
together again. We owe it much.
will tell you why objected"
And then he told her all; how he
| bod triad To Iaarn and coI1ld not. n ~