The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-10

never come to Austulia!
"And | wouldn't, either" she con-
cluded. with an increased speed. Paris.
London. Berlin, anywhere but Au-
stralia. Thank goodness. here's lonia,'
al last" ,on
hack from the road in a stately lawn
surrounded by a thick, luxuriant hedge
that was particular pritN OF the mas
ter of the place. Not another house was
In sight. The place seemed deserted;
not even a servant was to be seen.
Josephine dismountcd just inside the
hedge end paused in admiration of the
beautiful landscape gardening of the
grounds Then, noting the quiet aspect
Of the place, she quietly put her wheel
safely inside the hedge in corner and
went up to the house.
"And that's why 13 is lucky number
for me-" concluded Harbeson. 1t was
an hour later, and Josephine stood in
the drawing-room with her courtly
host, gentleman of theold school, who
i'm his latter days never failed To let
the play of his humor tighten the path
Of those who still had all the way be-
fore them.
ii am pleased 10 know that you ride
wheel" he continued. "It is the finest
invention of the century for both men
and women, and it is giving us better
roads, better people and better laws All
the time. i notice that the growth OF
cycling in foreign countries is some
thing phenomenal this past year. In
Australia, for instance, the recent in
terest is remarkable, and if team OF
our American racing men go there, as
is contemplated, il will give n great
impetus TO the sport oyou think you
would ever care To visit the Antipodes
yourself, Miss GordonP'
II wonder if / made decent adieux,"
soliloquzed Josephine, as she went
down the walk. There must be con-
spiracy TO foist Australia upon me,
| whether / want IL or not. Nelson Will
be here in a minute, i suppose. I'll just
| run up the road and tell him I've heard
| enough of Australia. She had reached
| the corner of the hedge where she had
left he: wheel. twas nowhere in sight
| She felt sudden qualm, but was reas-
| sured as she saw an old servant ap-
preaching her. "Have you seen my BIZ
cycle?" she asked, anxiously. Il left
il here an hour or so ago"
The cid man touched his hat respect
fully. "No, miss. 1 came in about an
hour ago myself, ard have been at work
J on the beds ever since, and it was not
here when came in"
Josephine felt herself grow weak.
k"My beautiful wheel" she said, falter-
ingly. "Oh, if it is gone, what shall l
1 do?"
The old servant looked at her sympa-
thizingly. IL fear, miss" he said.
Josephine burst into tears. "Oh, my
wheel!" she cried.
I'm very sorry you took the risk OF
leaving il here, miss" said the old man,
with evident sympathy; there are
many bicycle thieves at work of late
and n number of fine wheels have been
stolen. Give me n description of your
wheel, and Mr.. Harbeson will gladly
assist YOU in recovering it,"
Josephine groaned. "Oh, shall never
get il back" she said.
"Do not think that; there are good
chances that you may recover 1T. You
had better come up to the house ant
see Mr.. Harbeson, and he will send you
10 town in a conveyance or have YOU
driven over to the trolley, whichever
you prefer"
The kindness of the old servant re-
called 10 Josephine the trip to town
with Scott that was now lost.
"I thank you." she said, falteringly
shut IL is not necessary. / can just as
well walk over to the trolley
ut is not TO be thought Of" began
the old man, when at that moment
swift whir was heard near by, and ere
Josephine could reply Nelson Scott
rode up to the hedge and dismounted.
"Ah. here you are" he said, gayly
.T thought | should find you on the
road. and was just beginning to thinh
/ had missed you. Will you"
'My wheel has been stoler," gasped
the girl.
Then, her agitation being too mucf
for her, the old servant explained tho
circumstances TO Scott.
This is bad." he said, 'but we shal
fix it all right. Don't despair of getting
IL back. II was Zero, wasn't 1t, ant
what is the numberg'
14,277. Oh. do you think can eve
get it back?"
"Get it back? Why, of course wei
ret IL back will devote myself 10 th'
business of getting II back, and vii
turn amateur detective for the sake o
recovering it. If do not get IL, viii
give you n new. one, so cheer up mn
prepare 10 go back to town at once, 70
It is getting n little late for you witt
that important story"
"You must be driven over" said th
old servant. 81 will have the buggy 70
vou in n moment" As he disappeared
Scott gently slipped his arm about th
girls waist ana looked down into nc
: eyes until n warmer tint crept up unde
the glow Of her check.
+ 81 will find your wheel for YOU o