The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-25

0D.I ~ and Arcadia. Tom,
ME said you could find it on wheel !;
and finally he persuaded me. My per-
suasion was complete the third day
out. To be sure, we had not yet
found Arcadia, but We had the flavor
OF some good health already, and were
hopeful that when we least expected
it we should cross the boundary. The
road had gained our spirits.
And so feeling fit, and our hearts
attuned to simple, natural things, we
rode into that bosky wood which was
to be the scene Of our first misadven-
ture. The road was smooth and prom
Useful, through the branches ut our
right was the glImmer OF lake, where
Tommie said We might loaf comforts.
bly, for an hour with our pipes. SO we
left our steeds by the roadside and
went down by that shore. stretching
ourselves out for comfortable contem-
plation. An hour must have passed
when Tommie gripped my arm.
Look, Fletcher, there in the road"
followed his eyes, and saw by our
wheels. bit of sunlight on her face, a
most charming young woman, wearing
one of those walking costumes that are
now the most admirable achievement
of the modiste. She was young, say.
and blond; and she was smiling to
herself and looking our wheels over.
One she raised, and before we even
fapcied it, vaulted in the saddle MS
easily as any boy, tearing around a
curve and out Of our ken.
''Well, I'll be hanged" said Tom
mie.
81 hope she'll bring it back" said I.
'Particularly as its my Wheel"
said Tommie. But in the road we
could see no trace of her; sine had
vanished.
"Get on yours and catch her." said
Tommie.
"Oh, she'll bring it back. She
wasn't"
"Yes, che was
"a gentleman Of the road?"
"No, lady-tlmes have changed"
said Tommie, ruefully. "Well, I'm
after her, Fletch."
And he, too, was around the curve
on my wheel, leaving me laughing and
mourning. But in five minutes he
WAC bnChp uot huu
"There are three forks of the road
just beyond. How in thunder am 10
know which she took?"
"Try your luck"
"It's bad enough" said he. {"
can't afford another wheel this year."
81 think, said l, "that she's Just
playing a trick"
"It's rather near theft" said
Tommie. "Confound You, it wasn't
your machine"
ono. said 1, lighting a cigarette.
"We'd better walk on. She's gone !;
the wheel is-wel, perhaps it's
pawned by this time"
"You think you're funny" quoth
Tommie. "Ride on, and I'll walk. ;"
NO" said I, "we'll both walk. But
she was mighty pretty"
"Thief."
"Now. Tommie, you don't know
that" said I.
"Well, said he, "haven't the evi.
dences Of my senses?"
"They sometimes lie," said /, for
saw he was not pleased it wasn't my
wheel. and, of course. I could philoso.
phize moro easily than be. We took
the most hopeful turn at the three
roads, since our map refused to be ex.
plicit; and presently We came upon a
rustic in boots.
'Did you see woman riding q
mans wheel?"
81 swan" said the rustic.
81 should remark" said Tommie :;
"she stole my wheel"
lyon don't say" said the rustic.
''Where does this road lead?"
Nowhere" said the rustic.
Don't you live here?" asked Tom.
''Slnce was born, said the rustic.
Then where the deuce will this
road bring lis to- asked impatientlv.
THAT depends on where YER 90.
! IN, remarked the rustic practically.
"Oh dear, said Tommic. I'vo IL
notion to pound this fool "
! The rustic looked frightened and
, retreated.
( ''We want to go anywhere-to find
tho stolen Wheel" said !.
This ere road goes to Arcadia, &"
said he.
, A female Dick Turpin! Arcadia !,
! We opened our eyes.
Its queer name that Merivale
calls this place, said the rustic. It's
round that thar turn.
We lett him, dcspairiug of GETTING
anything more lucid from him, but it
appeared that ut least we had reached
Arcali liza. began to laugh, when
Tommy said irritably, "Shut up"
About the turn we came on road
lcadln@ IRON ours between high cato
posts; and there on a grassy bank
was our lady Of the road. I stepped
back embarrassed. She was laughing
to herself. Yes, she Sas uudeniable
prCttv. And ~ wn nu-.Anl Clio hana,.