, 1896-12-09
THE CYCLISTS CAPE.

"You must take it," Nine. Renne
said to her husband. She was a small
brunette, thin and aggressive, who
strongly reminded one of little pet dogs
who received visitors by swapping and
snarling at their heels as soon as the
front door is opened.
MI. Renne was a big, jolly dry goods
merchant, and he watched his spouse
ruefully as she unlocked q heavy cloth
cape from the rack in the hall. He had
hoped against hope that for once she
would forget to lumber his bicycle with
that clumsy old cloak, it was such =
bore.
at looks like rain," the little wom-
an continued, "and 1 am not going to
allow you to come back drenched to the
skin, much as it would please you. A
cold means money, and our physician
is q fool. He is incapable of curing
either pneumonia or pleurisy. So kind
ly tell me what would become of me in
case Of your death? Do you suppose your
parents are going to support me? No,
indeed, and You know it, and as I would
never marry again 1 should have my
bread to beg from door to door. Not
that it would make much difference to
you, but I should prefer suicide to beg
gary"
While speaking with u f1uency which
would have done credit to a politician
on u stamping tour, she rolled the cape
into n tight bundle, tied n bit of string
around it, and there it was, ready to be
faster:ed on the handle of his wheel.
"In your way?' she exclaimed in
shrill repetition. well, I would really
like to know why? Oh. I see, it is not
the swell thing, and you are afraid that
the ladies you pass on the road will
think you are carrying u bundle. Is
that it? If you must know my mind, l
think l am u perfect idiot to allow you
SO ,.uch freedom. How do 1 know
where you go or what you do? You tell
me any story you like when you come
buck, and it is false just as likely as
not"
Renne bowed his head patiently to
the storm, for well he knew that one
word, one timid protest, would exasper-
ate his wife into further parley, and the
discussion would drag on indefinitely,
but as today she seemed rather more
amiable than usual he held his tongue.
"See that it does not touch the wheel
or get soiled," she went on. IF you
use it, roll it up wrong side out again
before replacing it, and do not lose the
string az you did last time. What are
you looking at? l really think you
might have the civility to listen TO me
when l speak to you"
Renne was contemplating with forced
calm the serene blue sky and trying to
catch the placidity shining in its azure
depths.
"Please do not kiss me goodby. I am
not to be fooled and cajoled SO easily.
What are You waiting for?" And, turn
ing toward her husband, she saw him
making mock gestures of poverty. mo
money! OF course not. Well, here are
8 francs. l shall require an exact &C.
count Of your expenses. though, and
please look at the change. You are SO apt
to take odds and ends OF coin which are
difficult to pass. Now go. Try to avoid
drinking while you are warm and keep
out of drafts"
Mr.. Renne tucked the money into his
waistcoat pocket, kissed his wife grave.
ly-for he did not dare to appear too gay,
as she would have deeply resented any
manifestation Of joviality-and started
down the stairs in search of his bicycle
with the necessary amount OF modera-
tion and decorum which he knew best
suited Nine. Renne. As he fastened the
cloak carefully by q strap to the bicycle
he felt that sharp eyes were fixed upon
him from windows above, and as he
pedaled away he carried the look with
him, like the famous Parthian arrow Of
byeone days, stuck in his buck.
When once we'll out into the open
country, no expanded his lungs and took
in great breaths Of air, while the blood
rushed to his face and his eyes almost
started from their sockets. Then, very
slowly he exhaled it I'LL until he grew
pale from-.could it be relief?
The sun, high in the heavens, shed
its genial rays full upon him as he ped
aled franticIlly along the highway,
with ARMS akimbo, doubled nearly in
two over his handles and wild with de-
light. The smooth white road unraveled
before him like q bali Of Irvine, the hori-
zon appeared to advance toward him in
friendly welcome. and the bushes and
trees, which looked like tiny specks in
the distance, grew steadily, as il by
magic, under his gaze and assumed mass
i've and stately proportions. To Nj.
Renne the landscape seemed to be run
ming the other way clumps Of wood and
bracken. little houses, elm trees. fields
and milestones melted away before him
Ikea bit Of sugar. He whistled gayly
~ his bicycle devoured space, searching
down the hills. attacking the mp grades
with easy assurance, while on a level
no bird would have entered into compe-
tition.
II Mas simply glorious. Instesd Of
crushing his daily cares and trials un-
der his fest be rode lightly ovsr them,
and, leaving them far behind, looked
back at them oven his shoulder sooenful-
u, q II they were lost forever and -
Though IL would be . useless effort on
their part 10 attempt to catch mp with
him again. The idea, however, Of their
SIuse proximity 10 his heels worked Tire
..A.a. $685.. ~A H~.Anr ~whflnh Su Avnnn