The Van Buren press., 1896-04-04
A RIDE TO INDEPENDENCE.
sv FRANCES r.. DrLGrxcHAm.


Belinda came softly down the stairs
and looked in at the front room where
her sister sat sewing
HTm gaing out for little walk, she
said, In her gentle, half apologetie
poice.
Her sister looleed up sharply. We'll.
don't be gone long. and you'd better put
on your jacket; it's gettin' real kinder
chilly
oh. DON'T believe need anything
extras shan't be cold, /" Belinda remon-
strat~a.
Yes 5ap will. too Mrs. Bascom
said, decidedly. "Yoa go right up.
stairs add ger your sack
And Neisoda turned and went obedi
emily back to her room
Its dreadfullP silly for me to have
to pet IL on. she mutfered, nodding
20 herself in the glass. Seems as
though I was old enough to know
and she sighed, noting the shadow Of
coming lines in her forehead and the
sharper curve Of her cheek But She
drew or the little jacket over her tight
sitting black silk basque and smoothed
it down carefully over the bright blue
bow at her throat.
Then she went downstairs again.
but paNee1 moment on the lowest
step. 81 wonder If I'd better put on
my rubbers," she meaitated. 81 don't
believe need them" with sudden
guilty look at the closed sitting-room
door. But she opened it as she passed
and said; "Good-by, Sarah, f" very quick
Iy, half fearing that if she waited her
sensitive conscience might compel her
70 mention the neglected rubbers.
Sarah, at the window, watched her
go down the street.
She's just as happy as ever" she
said TO herself. tits good deal bet
Ter didn't let John Baker hang round
here. She's one of those soft~hearbed
creatures that'd marry any man that
asked her, do believe. But she wasn't
goin' to marry John Baker If I could
help il. I've lad experience with mel,
and I know them through and
through" Mrs Bsseon1's married life
had been brief and unhappy. why.
they say that John Baker smokes, and
ne don't attend no church regular. 10
far's / ear make ont. That's Just ike
silas exactly silas was Mrs. Bas
CONS deceased husband In her mind
all smoking, non=ehufch members be-
longed TO the same class, character was
not considered. and, alter all, what man
could have character under such cir
enmstances? "Shell be mighty thank
fnl some day that saved her from II
life Of misery and Mrs. Bascom sighed
feelinQIy. TITS been more'n year
now, and she seems 70 be gettin' over
Il nicely, though I must say I'm thank
fnl he don't live in this town" And
Mrs. Bascoms eyes returned 20 the VII
iage street down which Belinda had
disappeared. II wonder where Belinda
WAS goin.' To call on Margaret Brown,
s'pose. It's strange Belinda should
take TO Margaret so, such lively young
thing though, as far's that goes, she
amt much younger than Belinda" she
added, hastily, with sisterly pride; 'but
she's 50 ap and comm It's lucky she
only visits her a week or 50, she might
make Belinda just like her. Miss Ware
told me yesterday she rides bicycle
And Mrs. Bascoms thoughts stopped
in frightened contemplation of such
arraHt boldness.
Meantime Belinda had gone, as her
sister predicted, to call on Margaret,
who was visiting fond, old-fashioned
relatives for a few weeks in this seques-
tered little village. Her friend was in
the back yard with the bicycle, and
caught sight Of Belinda walking primly
up the path to the front door.
"Heighol" she called, merrily; and
Belinda came around the corner of the
house and sat on the steps while Mar
garrett rubbed up her wheel.
There was a great contrast betw cen
the two girls not wholly due 10 the
mere difference in their ages. Mar
garet Brown had come 10 womanhood
with many and absorbing interests in
her busy, healthful career. while he
linda seemed 10 have little to make her
life fall and beautiful, and she uncon-
sciouslg felt this the more now that
new possibility had faded from her
horizon with the banished John Baker
There was, consequently, a resigned
submission in Belinda's sweet face very
different from the fine. alert strength
in MarQaret's, and a certain INDIGESTION
in the droop Of her shoulders quite UNI
like Margaret's queenly carriage
There might easily have been five in
stead Of two years between them.
ooh, have had the most delightful
ridel" Margaret cried, rubbing vigor.
oasly at the handle bar of her machine
Belinda sighed wistfully.
What fun il must be-" she muir
INJURED
Margaret caught the sadness in her
voice.
"Oh. Beiindal" she cried, dropping
the rag with which she was polishing,
get on and try Idol III hold IL
steady"
Belinda shook her head in fright
ooh, couldn't I really couldn'ti"
ooh. yes. you couldl" Margaret cried.
turning the wheel out into the garden
path. "Come quickl"
Belinda rose from her scat on the
steps and came over 10 where Margaret
stood.
Get on" Margaret said. "I1l hold
you"
Belinda gave little cry.
"Oh. Margaret I'm afraid couldn't