The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-18
4 ROMANCE OF THE WHEEL

"a NVMaNVu vi 4llu u1uul
''Maggie. l cannot! I feel giddy now
Poor Aunt Mary was white to the lips
and l saw it would never do to press her
Time was short, too.
mo. you cannot. Get out quickly.
II don't like to spoil your pleasure. !
think | win try: 1t is not for very long.
mo, l won't have it."
"But you have so wished to go. l sup
STANDARDIZATION wouldn't &c
alone?'
"Yes, yes. l will. Quick"
And, none too soon, | succeeded IN
getting her out. AS l did so man
sprang on to the car.
was SO taken up with speaking
CHEEKY words to poor Aunt Mary, who
looked distinctly better already for being
on terra tirma. and in waving goodbys to
her, that did not notice my fellow pas
senger--the only one-for some time.
We were in the Great Wheel ut Earrs
court. had often wished to make the
ascent. and today had prevailed on
Aunt Mary to accompany me. She has
always been over-indulgent to my whims.
and l, like all spoilt people, have always
been ready to avail myself of her in:
diligence, and to tax it to the full; but
really had no idea that this, wheel jour.
ney was such a terror to her, or hope
| should not have been so persistent.
was enjoying the delightful ascent to
the full, and, absorbed in looking out at
the huge city lying far beneath, l had
not once glanced toward my fellow tray
eler.
was startled to find myself addressed
by him.
pardon me. but l think we are old
acquaintances.'
looked and recognized-though with
Ssl'fticulty-my old friend Cecil Farqu-
har-the last person in the world want
ed to meet! He and had been lovers,
and We're so no more. Five years ago
he had left me to take up an appoint
ment in the far East. l had nearly brok-
en- my heart in the parting, and had
written piteOus letters. His letters got
fewer and cooler Il don't believe the best
man can remember an absent woman
for long); and I, in pride and anger,
had suggested that, if he no longer cared
for me, it would be better to. break our
engagement at once. BY return mail
came letter, acquiescing in my sugges-
ton, and for the last three years 1 had
been endeavoring to persuade myself
that l didn't care. Not with uniform
success.
My only feeling, however, on recog-
nizing him now was unreasoning anger.
II think. Mr.. Farquhar, that it was
very questionable taste to thrust your
self upon ME i'll this way! -
"Good heavens! Do you suppose did
it on purpose? This internal machine
was just off. No time for choice. How
ever, it is not for long,
GLOW long?'' l asked.
Il believe the circuit is made in about
twenty minutes, and l shoulds.think near
~ half that time has elapsed already
You need not fear that l shall intrude
myself any further on your notice.
1T certainly does seem unnecessary
to renew our acquaintance"
AS you please
I bowed and he retired to: the further
looking out of the window.
l glanced toward him. Yes, he had
altered, but for the BETTER He was
broader and browner, and that silky
beard was distinct improvement. Real;
ly, though, this had no interest for me
he was nothing to me. +
l resumed my study of the view. We
must be descending now. How slowly
we were going! We scarcely seemed
have gone madly wrong, for according to
it's register we had already been half
an hour. and the whole journey only took
twenty minutes. l saw great many
heads thrust out from the various cars
and it seemed as if some anxiety was
felt.
We had undoubtedly stopped. would
have given anything to speak to Cecil
Farquhar, yet pride forbade me.
Perhaps he would begin. l looked to.
ward him. His head was out of the
opposite window. | ratified my parasol
and changed my position somewhat noisi.
ly. No notice was taken.
Shall l speak? Fear and curiosity
have hard battle with pride. Two
to >one ought to win, but pride is very
strong.
that impervious back!
Now he is talking to someone.
can't, catch the words. but the voices
sound anxious. | must know. 1t is alb
solutely inhuman not to tell me. Some
thing must have gone wrong with the
neutrality-suspicious. we are in danger
l must know. Pride is weA-nigh van
quished. l 60 over to his side of the
carriage.
"Mr. Farquhar!''
He doesn't hear and thrusts himself
further out of the window to listen tc
what the man in the car beneath is
catch word or two: Cant move
machine-great fear-hours."
Pride is laid low.
l pull his coat.
He turns round at last, with lool
of extreme surprise.
| don't care.
"Teli me- must know! What has
happened?' =,
'They cannot move the wheel! Some
thing has gone wrong with the chains
1t may be some hours before they sue
coed in putting it right
l suppose looked very scared, for hi
says, almost kindly:
Il do not think there is any danger
only Inconvenience
But how awful for us to be impris
oned herev'
A fierce look of anger comes into hit
eyes. remembered it, years ago.
Il have told you that shall not annoy
you: but to make assurance doubly sure
l will go and leave you to yourself"
You cannot; we are i'll the tOpmos
car; risk would be enormous"
iii chance it. | am strong, and have
a good nerve and a steady head; and il
the worst comes there is no one left tt
care"
He opens the door and prepares to stel
out Oh to the iron framework of thu
huge wheel.
At the sight of the man whom l hat
SO truly loved in my girlhood subiectint
himself to this awful risk, every vestigt