Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-08-08
LOVE ON A BICYCLE.

SILK llneQ halrclOGn, was heard on the Gel
lar stairs. 1t was she, its dauntless rider.
A loud olang, clang Of the doorbell
startled these tears away. She knew that
ring. All disheveled and dusty, she rushed
into the drawing room. She met her lover
like moody cherub. He looked at her for
moment standing with his legs wide
apart, his hands in his pockets and for
gotten hat on the back Of his head, heaved
a sigh of resignation and said disgustedly:
~ see, my poor little girl, that this con-
founded bicycle question is on top again.
Do you know, Eleanor, that I know
fine fellow who wants a bicycle just like
yours so everlastingly bad that he would
be willing to give 81, 900 cash for it II he
could have 1t within an hour
"Georgei You shall not have my dear
wheel to smash into splinters. If you your
self had ever ridden, you would advocate
it for everybody. 1t is stubborn and mar
row that you will not learn. Your preju-
dice is making heartless fellow Of you.
1t shall be crushed at once. am deter
mined. Can't you see that am deter
mined"
Her hands were clasped tightly. She
shivered slightly and her voice was tense
as she continued with white teeth set: II
shall ride tomorrow to Chevy Chase inn.
start at noon exactly. You may start on
wheel at II. II you reach the inn before
I do, we will be married soon. II not
never"
The last word was called from the hall.
The speaker was gone. The man turned
pale He was not student of women
whims, and he was deeply in love. He put
q hand to his head and was dimly conscious
Of wondering whether 1t was his hand or
some other fellows.
He sat down on the corner Of a card Ia
bic because 1t happened to be behind him
and said out loud, II will think" Three
minutes later he arose and said, II will
think"
He walked through the hall and out into
the air, forgetting his cane, his oyercoat
and the violets he had brought Eleanor.
As the front door closed behind him with
bang 1t startled him as it might sleep
walker.
Soon his eyes, which had not distin-
guished the passersby, were riveted on q
sign which seemed to scream at him, "Bi-
cycling academyP'
It drew him to the spot as II by magnet
ism. He entered the door and looked
blankly at the man ut the desk and laid
down bill which made the fellow stare,
refused the change and asked to be taught
ct once.
An attendant brought him wheel.
The cold glitter Of Its nickel plating filled
his whole being with determination. He
waved the teacher aside and mounted with
the spring Of kangaroo. The wheel
headed straight as die for the brick par
tition. When within yard Of 1t, he lifted
long limbs above the handle bar and met
the wall with the bottoms of two substan-
tial feet. He was shot back some distance
and then off.
The Instructor asked him sweetly II he
thought he was riding battering ram OF
a boomerang. The lover did not smile.
| The instructor then asked him for the ad-
dress of his doctor. He gave number on
| Sixteenth street. That was Eleanors
home. Before he left the school the shad-
| ows had heightened into darkness, and he
was riding beautifully around the circle
| with his handkerchief bound tightly
around his head and the teachers arm
about his waist. II Eleanor could have
seen himl He felt himself victor over q
| flend.
The next morning at 1860 he left his
door. The day was perfect. He felt the
exhilaration of success and resistless
force of resolution. He leaned over thu
handle bar and sped rapidly over tht
asphalt. He painted and pushed up thu
| hills and coasted down over the bridges
and past the zoo. His one thought was tt
{ Inx Ia tn
Slowly the idea began to force itsell
upon him that something was wrong witt
the wheel. He thought 1t must need oil
ing, such terrible pain and weakness die
| attack his limbs when he tried to force the
pedals around, and his head grew light
and dizzy. He thought to dismount, but
rolled off instead. He tried to take steI
to straighten his limbs. They refused tt
be Strengthened. They gave way beneath
him and he fell on his knees as II In sup
| plication to Cupid to cease from his tor
ture.
He lay on the ground for moment II
order that the dizziness might pass away
He must have lost consciousness for mo
ment, for suddenly he felt hand on hi
head, and tho gruff voice of motormal
asked: "Are you all broke up, old man
Don't you want liftp"
These accents were as sweet to his ear
as the murmuring Of siren. He was sore
ly tempted and yielded. He allowed hi
wheel to be lifted OH the car and himsel
to be assisted to seat which was not
saddle, while he constantly whispered t,
his conscience "All is fair in love an,
war.
He closed his eyes and half dreamed
half thought that he was waited along Of
feecy clouds. Suddenly thought strucl
him like lightning bolt. Eleanor
Might she not see him alighting from tn
carr Was he to DO branded in her eyes a.
cowardly cheat?
n He snatched at his watch and dragge
himself to the end of the car and trie
with his eyes to pierce the solid hills Il
order to gain the first dreaded glimpse Q
his darling, who rode like the wind on he
metal steed.
He saw for ten minutes only blanl
: road and then, with nervous start, dif
/. cerned a spot Of blue. He knew that 1t wa
blue serge and that 1t tapped about bicycl
wheels.
"Was It, oh, was 1t Eleanor"
a He thought he saw tam and straine
| his eyes to see II there was a feather on II
From the handle bar waved streamers.
must be Eleanor.
! The car stopped for moment. He wa
, frantic. The bicyclist dismounted.
Thank heavenl'' she wore bloomerl
Il was not Eleanor.
The lover sank FRUSTRATED with sudde
relief.
In short time the Inn was reached
He was assisted from the car, and th
wheel was deposited by the door With
sudden flood Of energy and rage the love
gave IL = kick, which made graceful curve
in its slender spokes. Then he sank into
] chair and was asleep. Ten minutes late