The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-24
ON THE WHEEL.

Poor Aunb Mary was white to the lips,
end saw it would never do to press her.
Time was short too
"No, you cannot. Get out quickly"
~ don't like to spoil your pleasure. I
think will try. 1t is not for very long"
"No, won't have it."
"But you have SO wished to go. sup
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES wouldn't go
alonep'
eyes, yes, will. QnickP'
And none too soon succeeded in get
ting her out. As did SO a man sprang
% 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
trina, and in waving goodby to her that
did not notice my fellow passenger-<the
only one-for some time.
We were in the great wheel at Earl's
Court. had often wished to make the
ascent, and today had prevailed on Aunt
Mary to accompany me- She has always
been overindulgent to my whims, and I,
like all spoiled people, have always been
ready to avail myself of her indulgence
and to tax it to the full; but really had
no idea that this wheel journey was such
terror to her or hope / should not have
been so persistent.
was enjoying the delightful ascent to
the full, and, absorbed in looking out at
the huge city lying far beneath, had not
once glanced toward my fellow traveller.
was startled to find myself addressed
by him.
"Pardon me, but I think we are old ao-
quaintances. -
looked and recognized-though with
difficulty-my old friend Cecil Farquhar,
the last person in the world wanted to
meet. He and had been lovers and were
60 no more. Five years ago he had left me
to take up an appointment in the far east.
/ had nearly broken my heart over the
parting and had written piteous letters.
His letters got fewer and cooler. don't
believe the best man can remember an alb
sent woman for long, and I, in pride and
anger, had suggested that, if he no longer
cared for me, it would be better to break
our engagement at once By return mail
came letter acquiescing in my sugges-
ton, and for the last three years had
been endeayoring to persuade myself that
/ didn't care-not with uniform success.
My only feeling, however, on recognize
ing him now was unreasoning anger.
II think, Mr.. Farquhar, that 1t was
very questionable taste TO thrust vourself
upon me in this way."
ssGood heayensI Do Won supnose did
1t on purposep This internal machine was
inst off. No time for choice However
it is not for long,
"How loneP" I asked.
~ believe the circuit is made in about
90 minutes. and I should think nearly
half that time has elansed already yon
need not fear that shall intrude mvse,f
any further ON vour notice.,
aIt certainly does seem unneceasarv to
renew our acouaintance.
5 GAS Won please -
bowed. and he retired to the farther
corner of the car where he cat staadi1v
looking ont Of the window
/ glanced toward him. Yes he had al.
tered. but for the better. He was broafsar
and browner. and that silky hoard Was =
distinct improvement. Really. thongh
this had no interest for me--be was Moth.
ing to me.
I resumed nv study of the view We
,nust he descending now How slowly VIC
were goinaI We scarcelv seemed 70 ,,oya
looked at INV watch: It must have ,,on ~.
madlv wrong. for ACCORDING to ito ree, S.,s
we had already been half an hour and The
whole journey only took 90 minntas T
Jaw a great many heads thrust ont fro,,,
the various cars. and III scanned az ~ coue
anxiety was felt. = e
We had undoubtedly STONED. won,d
have aiyen ANYTHING to sneak 70 Cec;1
Faroubar. vet pride forbade me
Perhaps he would begin ,oo,ed TO-
ward him. His head was ont ~ the onno.
site window. I ratified INV parasol and
changed my position Somewhat nois,lv NJ
notice was taken. ~
Shall I speakp Fear and cnr;os,tv have
hard battle with pride Two r. anu
ought to win, but pride is verv stron. ~
Surely he must look round soon. Stni
that imperyious backl ~ '-
Now he ia talking tn gonna ono I,.n,.
catch the words. hui the voices So,,rd anx'
ious. I must know. It is absolutelv in
human not to tell me. Sometbing mist
have gone wrong with the machinery
nerhaps we are in danger + must know
10 his aide Of the carria 90 ~ o'eA