The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-12-11
ON THE WHEEL.


No. won't have it,
But you have so wished to go. l sup
poso''-doubtfully-'y wouldn't so
alone?''
Yes, yes, / will. Quickr'
And none too soon 1 succeeded in get
ting her out AS did SO a man sprapg
on to the car.
was so taken up with speaking CHEEKY
words to poor Aunt Mary, who looked dis
tinctly better already for being on terra
1lrma, and in waving gOodby to her that
l did not notice my fellow passenger-the
only one-for some time.
We were in the great wheel at Earl's
Court 1 had often wished to make the
ascent, and today had prevailed on Aunt
Mary to accompany me. She has always
been overindulgont to my whims, and l,
like all spoiled people, have always been
ready to avail myself of her indulgence
and to tax it to the full; but 1 really had
10 idea that this wheel journey was such
terror to her or hope l should not have
been so persistent.
l was enjoying the delightful ascent to
the full, and, absorbed in looking out at
the huge city lying far beneath, 1 had not
once glanced toward my fellow traveller.
was startled to find myself addressed
by him.
Pardon me, but think we are old &C.
quaintanCes. "
1 looked and recognizeil-though with
difficulty-my old friend Cecil Farquhar,
the last person in the world wanted to
meet He and l had been lovers and were
so no more. Five years ago he had left me
II take up an appointment in the far east.
l had nearly broken my Ecart over the
!rting and had written piteous letters.
Lis letters got fewer and cooler. don't
! lieve the best man can remember an alb
snnt woman for long, and l, i'll pride and
anger, had suggested that, if he no longer
erred for me, it would be better to break
or engagement ut once. BY return mail
c.me letter acquicscing in my sugges-
I on, and for the last three years / had
been cndcavoring to persuade myself that
didn't cilre-not with uniform success.
My only feeling, however, OF recognize
jig him now was Unreasoning anger
Il think, Mir. Farquhar. that it was
N1ry questionable taste TO thrust yourself
UJon me in this way
Good heavens! DO you suppose l did
on purpose? This internal machine was
] st off No time for choice. However,
!, is not for long"
''How long," I asked.
II believe the circuit is made in about
- minutes, and l should think nearly
If that time has elapsed already. you
ed not fear that l shall intrudo myself
iIy further on your notice. "
1T certainly does seem unnecessary TO
new our acquaintance.
LAS you please"
l bowed, and he retired to the farther
corner Of the car, where he sat steadily
looking out OF the window.
| glanced toward him. Yes. he hIu nj
tered, but for the letter. lie was broader
iId broUncr, and that silky beard was
distinct Improvement. Really, though,
this had no interest for mc-he was moth
ing to me.
l resumed my study of the view. We
must he descending now. How slowly we
were going! We scarcely seemed to move.
] looked at my watch; it must have gone
lnadly wrong, for according to its register
we had already been half an hour, and the
whole journey only took 20 minutes l
saw Il great many heads thrust ott from
the various cars, and iG seemed rs il some
anxiety was felt.
We had undoubtedly stopped. I would
have given anything to speak to Cecil
FGrquhar, yet pride forbade me.
Perhaps he would begin. / looked to-
ward him. His head was out Of the oppc-
site window. l ratified my parGSol ard
changed my position somewhat noisily. No
notice was taken.
Shall speak? Fear and curiosity have
hard battle with pride. Two to one
ought to win, but pride is very strong.
Surely he must look round soon. Still
that impervious back!
Now he is talking to some one. l can't
catch the words, but the voices sound anx-
ious I must know. 1t is absolutely in
tO +,,I
have gone wrong with the machinery
perhaps we aro in danger. must know.
Pride is we'll nigh vanquished. go over
to his side of the carriage
Mr.. Farquhar!'
He doesn't hear and thrusts himself
farther out of the window to listen to what
the man in the car beneath is saying. /
strain my ears to listen and catch word
or two" Can't move machine-great fear
hours"
Pride is laid low.
pull his coat
He turns round at last, with look of
extreme surprise.
don't care.
"Tel mel must knowl What has
happened?"
"They cannot move the wheel! Some
thing has gone wrong with the chainsl 1t
may be some hours before they succeed in
putting it right
l suppose l looked very scared, for he
says, almost kindly:
81 do net think there is any danger
only Inconvenience. -
But how awful for us to be imprisoned
herc!"
y fierce look of anger comes into his
eyes. 1 remembered it years ago.
II have told you that l shall not annoy
you. But to make assurance doubly sure,
will go and leave you to yourself"
You cannot We are in the topInost
car. Risk would be enormous
IN chance it. / am strong and have
rood nerve and Il steady hand, and if the
worst comes there is no one left to care
He opens the door and prepares to step
cut on to the iron framework of the huge
wheel.
At the sight of the man whom 1 had SO
t-uly loved in my girlhood subjecting him
self to this awful risk every yestige of the
ctulant pride that had dominated me q |
Jnoment before vanished. 1 only saw my
lover of former days-the only man who |
lad ever really stirred my heart-in dan |
Ger.
leaned forward holding out imploring
bands to him. .
He had already begun to descend
BENT forward ana Tried TO reach him.
His left arm Is stretched upward, grasp |
ing the girders above him.
What is that CLEAN of gold / see at his |
wrist? All, recognize it! My bangle, |
that he took from me years ago and had |
sOldercd on to his own arm. A mist of |
tears dim my eyes. L lean forward, stretch |
ing my arms toward him.
Stay Cecil, for my saker'
How did it happenY I could never quite |
tell. missed my footing. For a second |
my brain reels, and then 1 find myself |
firmly clusped in his right arm, while with !
lis left and with feet and knees he clings |
desperately.
''Madge, Madge," he says hoarsely, "for
Gods sake, nerve yourself! Cling to some
thing! 1 cannot hold you like this long. |
Try all you know"
Il will. And 1 suit the action to the
word by grasplng the lower part of the .
door sill with both hands promise me |
you will not attempt the descent"
"No, will not; | swear!''
He is still holding me, for my feet are
below the steps. We are in hideous peril,
but one dare not realize it.
have cause now to be thankful that an
annual mountaineering in Switzerland has
strengthened my nerve and muscle.
Somehow l regain the car In safety.
TaoiI 10 oTjnkiv heaida mo and