The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-23
ON THE WHEEL.

"Maggie, cannot. feel giddy now"
Poor Aunt Mary was white to the lips,
and saw it would never do to press her.
Time was short too.
mo, you cannot. Get out quickly"
81 don't like to spoil your pleasure I
think will try. 1t is not for very long"
"No, won't havo it.
"But you have so wished to go. sup
Observation-Disclosures wouldn't go
alonef"
Yes, yes, will Quick!'
And mono too soon l succeeded in get
ting her out. AS did so man sprang
on to the car.
was SO taken up with speaking CHEEKY
words to poor Aunt Mary, who looked dis
unctly better already for being on terra
frna, and in waving goodby to her that
did not notice my fellow passenger--the
only one-for some time
We were in the great wheel at Earl's
Court l had often wished to make tho
ascent, and today had prevailed on Aunt
Mary to accompany me. She has always
been ovcrindulgont to my whims and l,
like all spoiled people, have always been
ready to avail myself OF her indulgence
and to tax 1t to the full; but l really had
no idea that this wheel journey was sucha
terror to her or l hope l should not have
been SO persistent.
was enjoying tho delightful ascent to
the full, and, absorbed in looking out ut
the huge city lying far beneath, | had not
once glanced toward my fellow traveller.
was startled TO find myself addressed
by him.
Pardon mo, but think we are old &C.
quaintances
| looked and ccocnized-though with
dilllculty-my old friend Cecil Fnruuhar,
the last person in the world wanted to
meet. He and had been lovers and were
so no more. Five years ago he had left me
to take up an appointment in the far east
had nearly broken my heart over tho
parting and had written pitcous letters.
His letters got fewer and cooler. | don't
believe tho best man can remember an alb
sent woman for long, and !, in pride and
anger, had suggested that, il he no longer
cared for me, it would be better to break
our engagement ut once. BY return mail
came letter acguirsCing in my sllgges-
ton, and for the last three years had
| didn care--,not with uniform success
My only feeling, however, on recognize
ing him now was unreasoning anger.
II think, MIR. Farquhar, that it was
very questionabl taste to thrust yourself
upon me in this way"
Good heavens! DO you suppose did
it On purpose This internal machine was
just off. No time for choice. However,
it is not for long
"HOw lOngE' | asked.
81 believe the circuit is made in about
20 minutes, and | should think nearly
half that timo has elapsed already. You
need not fear that | shall intrude myself
any further on your notice.
at certainly does seem unnecessary to
renew our acquaintance.
GAS you please"
bowed, and no retired to the farther
corner Of the car, whore ho sat steadily
looking out Of the window.
glanced toward him. Yos, he had al
tered, but for the better. llo was broader
and browner, and that silky beard was u
distinct improvement. Really, though,
this had no interest for mo--hu was uoth-
ing to mo.
resumed my study Of tho view. We
must be descending now. How slowly We
were going Wo scarcely seemed to move.
looked at my watch 1t must havo gono
madly wrong, for according to its register
We had already been half an Euur, and the
whole journey only took 20 minutes. l
saw great many heads thrust out from
the various cars, and it seemed rs if some
anxiety WAS felt.
We Lad undoubtedly stopped I would
have given anything to speak to Cecil
Farquhar, yet pride forbade me.
Perhaps ho would begin, ! locked to-
ward him. His head Was out Of tho oppO.
site window. | ratified MY paraSol and
changed my position somewhat noisily. No
notice was taken.
Shall sleAkl Fear and curiosity hHvo
hard battle with pride, Two to ono
ought to win, but pride is very strong,
Surely he must lock round scou Still
that imperyious back
Now lie is talking to Some one l can't
catch tho words, but tho voices sound anX-
ious l must know. 1t is absolutely in
human lot to tel NE. Something must
have COMO wrong with the machinery
perhaps We arC in danger must know
Pride ia well nigh yanquishCd. 90 over
TO his side Of tho carriage.
Mr.. Farluhar!'
He doesn't Lear and thrusts himself
further out Of tic window TO listen to what
tho man in tho car beneath is saying. |
strain my cars t. listen and catch word
or two" Can mUTo Iuachiug-EruIt fear
--hours.h
Pride is laid low
pull his coat,
He turns round at last, with look Of
extreme surprise.
don't care.
Tell mc--I must know What has
happonOd;"
They cannot muvn the WHEEL Some
thing has g0nu wrous with tic chainSI 1t
may be some hours before they suclcod in
putting it right
| suppose locked very scared, for ho
says, almost kindly:
II do not think tLcro is any danger
only inconvenience. -
But how awful for us TO be Imprisoned
hero"
A fierce look Of nngor comes into his
eyes. ! remembered it years ago.
II have tod You that | shall not annoy