Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-04-03
A RIDE TO INDEPENDENCE.
ny FRANCES IL. DILLINGHAM;


her sister sat sewing.
Pm going out for Il little walk she
said, in her gentle, half apologize
voice.
Her sister looked up sharply. "Well,
don't be gone long, and you'd betterput
on your jacket; it's gettin' real kinder
chilly"
"Oh, don't believe l need anything
extra; shan't be cold" Belinda remon-
stratcd.
Eyes, you will, too,' Mrs. Bascom
said, decidedly. "Yon go right up
stairs and get your sack"
And Belinda turned and went obedi.
emily back to her room.
Its dreadfully silly for me to have
to put it on" she muttered, nodding
to herself in the glass. Seems as
though 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 on the little jacket over her tight
lifting black silk basque and smoothed
it down carefully over the bright blue
bow at her throat.
Sarah, at the window, watched her
90 down the street.
''She's just as happy as ever" She
said to herself. Its a good deal bet
ter 1 didn't let John Baker hang round
here. She's one of those soft-hearted
creatures that'd marry any man that
asked her, do believe. But she wasn't
goin' to marry John Baker if l could
help it. I've had experience with meE
and I know them through an'!
through" Mrs. Bascom's married life
had been brief and unhappy. ''Why.
they say that John Baker smokes, and
he don't attend no church regular, 50
fairs I can make out. That's just like
Silas exactly" Silas was Mrs. Bias
CONS deceased husband. In her mind
all smoking, non-church members be-
longed to the same class, character was
could have character under such cir
cumstances? She'll be mighty thank
tul some day that saved her from 4.
life of misery" and Mrs. Bascom sighed
feelingly. Its been more'n a yea:
now. and she seems 10 be gettin' ovec
It nicely, though must say I'm thank
tul he don't live in this town." And
Mrs. Bascom's eyes returned to the VII
lage street down which Belinda had
disappeared. II wonder where Belinda
was goin.' To call OH Margaret Brown,
7 s'pose. It's strange Belinda should
take to Margaret so, such a lively young
thing-though, as fairs that goes. She
amt much younger than Belinda she
added, hastily, with sisterly pride; "bur
she's e up and comm. It's lucky she
only visits her a week Or so, she might
make Belinda just like her. Miss Ware
told me yesterday she rides a bicycle -
And Mrs. Bascom's thoughts stopped
in frightened contemplation of such
arrant boldness.
Meantime Belinda had gone, as he!'
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
OD tAC fliLu ~ Vic lIOllC
''Heigho!" she called, merrily; and
Belinda came around the corner Of the
house and sat on the steps while Mar
yaret rubbed up her wheel.
''Oh, I have had the most delightful
ride!" Margaret cried, rubbing vigor-
ously at the handle bar of her machine.
Belinda sighed wistfully.
what fun it must be- she MUIR
INJURED.
Margaret caught the sadness in her
voice.
''Oh, Belinda!" she cried, dropping
the rag with which she was polishing,
get on and try lido! I'll hold it
steady"
Belinda shook her head in fright.
get on" Margaret said. iii hold
YOU" ~ =.
''Oh, Margaret! I'm afraid couldn't -
Eyes, you can, too," Margaret said,
determinedly; ''get right on!'
Belinda was SO used to obeying that
she put one foot on the pedal; then
she withdrew it, quickly and looked
about.
what if anyone should see?" she
whispered, but an excited girlish light
vas IN her eyes.
"There isn't soul anywhere around, -
Margaret answered, promptly. '"There.
that's all right; there you are-hold
on
This was Be]inda's first experience
with athletics in any form, and she
grew SO interested and excited that two
little red spots came out on either cheek
and she forgot to ask Margaret if she
was tired, but kept on so persevering-
~ that Margaret herself had to suggest
it was long enough first lesson.
Il never tried to learn anything in
my life BEFORE" she said. breathless
with delight. do you think I'll ever
be able to ride?''
"Of course" Margaret said, encourag-
ingly. She was not going to tell Be-
linda what hard work she found in
holding her straight in her cratic
But Belinda's face fell.
'Of course, couldn't ride, even if /
earned how" she said, confusedly.
1tNhv mt ?" asked Marraro<