The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-09-12

for the rest of your life, and if / fail
to keep my promise you can keep But
terfiy"
"Oh, Cary, how good of you! But
what are yon going to do?" she said.
Never mind; is it bargain?y He
put out his hand, and they shook hands
on it, and Cary carried the wheel off,
promising to send Butterfly around
that night and that one of his men
should take care of him for her.
Cary was riding the bicycle we'll by
the next day, and the report had got
ten about, without anyone seeming to
have started it, that he had taken it
from Miss Jessie in exchange tor his
horse, Butterfly, which most people
thought very foolish, though high So
clety in Harmon slept once more in
conscious satisfaction that the dignity
of its educational institution had been
preserved.
1t was early one evening, day or
two after Cary had had the wheel,
that he suggested to his sister and sew
eral girl cousins, who were taking tea
there, that they should try it, as no
one would see them at that hour. OF
course, they were ready to do so, and
they had so much amusement out Of it
and the girls were so 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 growing more charmed
with it.
Cary had sent to New Ydsss 81 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 go over and see
them ride, anxiously WATCHED, not to
see if they should appear with unruf-
fled dignity, but that the were as
clever about it as the others So clever
were they. in fact, that lefore the
evening was over she had promised
that they should each have ne of their
own if Cary would attend 10 the get
ting of them.
In this manner did Cary'splan pros
per, and he would report progress to
Miss Jessie every afternoon
81 shall never be satisfied ill have
the colonels lady herself ona wheel"
he said, roaring with Laughter, for the
lady was very portly.
Three weeks had passed, when one
afternoon the twins bicyclesappeared.
At once they sent over fer Cary to
come and inspect them, and when he
arrived he found the family all out in
front of the house trying them and dis
cussing their merits.
The twins raced around The circle of
hard road that surrounded the lawn,
and then insisted upon Carytrying the
wheels and racing with them.
Now, Mrs Preston" said Cary, as
he dismounted, you must try one.
Don't be afraid"
mo one has ever dared to say that
Preston was afraid of anything" she
answered, proudly; "but l am too
stout"
at would make you thin, if you
would stick to it," he answered.
''Do you really think SOP said the
lady. Bicycling was developing new
interest for her.
II have not any doubt of it at all.
Just try it once around 'tne-~vsasie,
Come, now, 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 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 colonel's lady, intent upon keep
ing her balance, though Cary's strong
arm was about her. heard nothing of it
until the rider drew up in front of the
door and sat immovable in amazement
as the lady came putting around the
other side of the circle. Cary 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 a
tree, Mrs. Preston had also dismount-
ed, and, very much flushed, came for
ward to welcome her.
Don't you like it?'' said Jessie. 'Is
it not lovely? Oh, am so glad you
are riding; now no one will care if 1
do. And aren't they beauties!" she
finished to the twins.
Mrs. Preston regarded her sharply,
but there WIS only frank pleasure in
the girls face, and she made up her
mind to gracefully accept the situa-
ton, and just then the colonel himself
came out.
Look out, girls, he said; 'if 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 in
her long habit, so she admired the
twins while they showed her how ex-
pert they were already, thanks to Cary,
and she, too, had chance t0sKvesiim
one grateful look. When she was ready
to go, Cary helped her mount and
whispered he thought he could safely
return her wheel in day or two: and
then, with a happy heart, She rode
away toward the red evening sky.
There are many bicycles to-day in
Harmon, although the coloners lady
has not ridden since that first time;
perhaps it is because Cary has ceased