The broad ax., 1895-12-07
THAT BICYCLE SUIT.

shs had not attended his church very
hong. but was already one of the active
workers. though not admitted to member
shin Miss Vance, one of the most devot-
I'd members of his little flock, had brought
her and introduced her as her friend, and
the Young people had speedily taken her
up.
The Young minister had welcomed her
rladlv- He was anxious to make converts
and secure new members and had been
houipc to induce Miss Alice haywood TO
unite with the church and thus identity
her charming personality still more closely
with the work, when something happened
which cooled his ardor in this direction
and indeed left him puzzled as to what
course to adopt with regard to this pecul-
Tar young lady.
One bright spring morning as the min
lster walked slowly along one of the streets
on the outskirts of the town, drinking in
the fragrance of opening leaf and flower,
be beheld an apparition. Coming rapidly
howard him, perched airily on the seat OF q
new bicycle, was Alice haywood, her gold
IN head shining in the sunlight under her
iaunty cap, her cheeks glowing. The min
ster gasped as the girl saw him and
bowed, returned the salutation, too dazed
10 raise his hat. For the navy blue cos
hume she wore, with its prettily fashioned
Elton Jacket, was certainly made with
skirt-no, IL wasn't q skirt at all; 1t was
bloomersl
It was an outrage, the minister thought,
Getting more indignant as he went on,
and she had seemed so different, so quiet,
modest and refined. Some one ought to
talk to her. What could her mother be
thinking Off He couldn't say a word. The
4 young man blushed at the idea Now,
Gertrude would never-of course notP he
grew uncomfortably warm about the ears
4 at the mere suggestion that Gertrude
would do such thing. Then the object
Of his disapproval glided out of his mind
as quickly as she had come in. The stern
lines Of his face softened and he took up
his day dream where he had left 1t.
Next fall when the new church was
done he would go east and bring Gertrude,
and what good couldn't he accomplish
with such a woman for an inspiration and
helpmate2 And his thoughts dwelt loving
" upon the projections Of the sweet, gen.
tie young woman who was going to give
up her friends, her high social station and
many advantages in the east and come
with him to the wild west, as he called 1t,
to aid him with her culture, with her
wealth, with herself.
So during the long summer he worked
hard and earnestly, upborne by the thought
Of success and Gertrude, and In the great
struggle all minor difficulties slipped out
. of sight. Alice haywood still gave her
services freely and fully to the little
church, still taught the little ones and
spoke kindly and smilingly to young and
old, rich and poor alike, and still took her
daily bicycle ride, clad In her natty bloom
er suit, seeming to gain added strength
and health thereby. But the minister
fairly disliked her when be saw her skim
ming gayly by in her novel attire, espe-
cially as some Of her acquaintance had
followed her example.
If any disappearing matron or maid
spoke to her about her costume, she inva-
riably replied that she and her family con-
sidered it the only safe and sensible COS
tended to wear 1t.
Only to Molly Vance did she unbosom
herself further. Poor Molly lay fat on her
back, "laid up for repairs" she expressed
1t, and Alice had stepped In to bring her
some sunshine and news from the world
outside. She had come In from long ride
Dn her wheel and Molly said she looked
Ike q relic of the Midway.
$50 You and the minister don't like my
buit, Molly, DEAR" she said. ST am sur
prised at him, for I thought he was an up
10 date young man"
"Oh, no." Molly answered. HE Ii old
fashioned in his notions- You mustn't
mind him."
"I don't" said Alice cheerfully. Than
she said earnestly:
MOLLY, the customs Of the world have
always been hard on women. The natives
Of Ceylon hang heavy rings In the noses
the Turks shut them up In cages; the Chi
nese dwarf their feet, and the modern
Americans and Europeans compress their
waists and hang heavy skirts On their hips.
But Let any Of them step out, be IL ever
% little from the beaten track Of custom
md point to . better path, whore comfort
md hesdom from disease may Be had, and
promise you they win suffer"
After this long and somewhat serious
speech for the young lady she tossed or
her cap. caught it on her head and sid
farewell. and this was the only dgn shs
gave that the criticism passed By few O.
her acquaintances hurt her.
TIA davn crod ,~-,t<alv H. .nH a.. No.