The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-14
A GHOSTLY RACE.

mere nlElESs asked.
't'Tisn't necessary said the hotel
keeper.
Thanks, - called back as I dropped
into the saddle. A few minutes later 1
was Swimming past the isolated houses On
the outskirts of the village. The night
was an ideal one for cycIst. The breeze
was cool and gentle, and as the moon
climbed higher Pickering black shadows
danced to and fro on road of milky
wilderness. I passed a couple Of merry
wagon parties, and then as I sped along the
winding pike the signs of civilization grew
fewer until only the well kept thorough
fare served as reminder of the hand Of
man. Now, the woods on either side of the
road became more frequent, and 1 shot
along under long archways of trees.
Soon entered another avenues of trees.
I humned softly to myself few snatchss
Of song and was in the gayest of spirits.
Then became aware of a presence at my
side
I swerved violently and missed by
hair s breadth collision with wheelman
who had noiselessly overtaken me- So
startled was that uttered an angry ex-
clamation as I recovered myself. The
strange rider shot ahead a few feet and
then dropped back at my side A sharp
rebuke was on my tongue, when checked
myself and sought closer glimpse of my
Unbidden companion. He held his place
a. my sue Will dpBdT0nG eA6IJlO1s al
though our pace was rapid, and 1 soon be-
came aware that his conduct was, to say
the least, peculiar.
Bent low over pair of racing handle
bars, his face was screened from view in
the uncertain light. AS accurately as
could discern, he was CARRIED in a suit of
black tights. On his head was close fit
ting cap. His figure was tall, slender and
athletic. But what most attracted my at
tention was his W heel, which seemed to be
of such marveIousIy fine construction that
it slipped along without the click of
chain link or the creak of a saddle nut.
He rode so close to me that could have
touched him by putting out my hand, yet
never once did he raise his head or by word
or sign give indication that he was aware
OF. my presence
Side by side we shot out into an open
stretch of road. That was being used as
a paceInaker soon became evident. 1t net
tied me when 1 found that every time I
slackened speed he did likewise, and every
time I pcdaled more rapidly he held his
position at my elbow. His conduct and his
silence disturbed my peace Of mind, and I
decided to rid myself of his company. 1 in
creased the pace slowly at first, and when
we reached a slight incline 1 let out few
links more and shot up the grade at top
speed. My emotion upon reaching the top
of the Hill was that of chagrin when I
found hiIn still at my side, his head bent
low, his legs working with the ease and pre-
cision of piston rods. 7 held the pace until
painted for wind, but the black rider was
apparently tireless. A dozen times was
on the point of speaking, and finally
blurted:
Fine night"
He made no answer, nor even turned his
head. 1 was astonished beyond measure
and felt my anger slowly rising. The pace
did not slacken-rather it inereased-yet
never for an instant did our positions vary
an inch. Through woods and over hills
we few. The perspiration rolled OF my
forehead and into my eyes until they
smarted, yet the stranger gave no signs of
distress. A heart breaking hill doomed
ahead, and I summoned energy for a Su-
prcIne effort My wheel swayed and shiv-
cred under the strain as l shot up the in
cline, but my companion never falteTed.
When we reached the sumnit, lie was still
gliding ut my side like q shadow. A steep
descent followed, and we rushed down at
unabated speed.
looked ahead and perceived several
hundred yards in advance a small lake
which the road encircled after an abrupt
turn to the right also perceived that
narrow foot bridge devoid of handrail
crossed the pond where the highway
curved. I glanced at the strange rider.
His gaze seemed bent upon the ground, as
though he were oblivious of any impend-
ing danger. The situation was becoming
critical We could never make the turn at
the speed at which we were travelling, yet
the grade was so steep and the distance SO
short that to slow down was impossible.
To cross the bridge was the only chance,
yet there was room for but one abreast,
and who would give way? Dogged and
angry, 1 resolved that L would not Fifty
yards more and we would be upon 1t. /
bent lower and rode like deznon. Tween
IL = l..
'' Give wayP' I called hOarsely, and 1
gripped my handle bars until it seemed as
if the steel must crumbIe in my fingers
Five yards more and then disaster must
come. Suddenly the stranger shot out, and,
with elatter and never a check in our
furious career, we were upon the narrow
structure, my wheel tapping his by several
inches.
Then, to my horror, the black rider sat
erect and slackened speed yelled with
terror and back pedaled until my chain
screeched and grOaned over the sprocket as
though it would part. The wheels now
Tapped by foot, ard the crash would be
in an instant. 1 remember seeing the black
rider turn and sway in his saddle like
drunken man. There was the flash of a
CHASTITY white face, and shut my eyes and
waited for the shock
Loose boards ratified under my wheel.
There was a jolt, and 1 felt myself shoot out
upon tie road 1 glanced back. There in
the cold, white moonlight was the marshy
lake, the narrow fOotbridge, the nodding
trees. Nothing more The black rider had
vanished.
A wild terror seized me. How reached
the hotel could never afterward remem-
Der, for went over the same road two
days afterward, ard it was utterly strange
to me. All recall is that 1 reeled into the
yard Then there was a blank until 1
found myself lying on a bench with Gu
rious crowd of men gathered around me.
g 7 on fellers always ride fit ter kill yer
selves, - said man. What You came