The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-01


form.
"Oh, my wheel. I,was almost forgetting
it, she said abruptly. She selected her
property glittering new bieycle-from the
baggage on the platform, and Archer gal
lantIy and joyously took it from her and
guided ii to the station-house wall.
This is something nice, Olympia" he
said, with glow all over his face. Did
yon have nice time?o
les, always have a good time ut Uncle
Willis But of course I'll be glad to see
father and mother-and all the folks"
Archer bit his lip. Had she said this to
remind him that she was engaged he won
dered. "Well, he said, keeping devotediy
near her. nevertheless, as, still guiding her
bicycle, they passed through the station gate
and out upon the street Il came down on
my wheel, so we can take spin home to-
gether."
Olympia looked at him in her bright way;
but she seemed not to suspect the delight
that her presence brought to her companion
They mounted their wheels and glided away
along the wide street. taking the Turnover
road ont into the country.
Olympia managed her bicycle with great
deal of sureness. Archie, felt that he was
more deeply in love with her than ever
Tell Agnes to come over to our house on
her wheel, and we'll take little run around
the village this evening together" she said
gayly when they approached the fork of the
road where their ways separated.
Il WILL" said Archer, feeling profoundly
thankful that he had sister Agnes. Do
you care if-I-come, too Olympia"
Olympia laughed at his timidity. "Wby,
of course not, Archer. I didn't think you
would care to come" and then she smiled
happy good d-by,' and speeded on alone.
She approached the gate of her home with
a steady, rapid spin, giving her bell little
tinkfe in acknowledgment of the two smiling
middle-aged faces that she saw waiting there
to welcome her. The delicately rounded
cheeks had pink flush in them as she came
mp, dismounting with the ease of an expert
enced rider.
"Done tip-top Lympy,n exclaimed her
father proudly, as he received her into his
arms with kiss. He took hold of the ma
chine, which he called "eIitter," and
| wheeled it up the path to the front door,
while Olympia and her mother walked, with
| their arms around each other, chatting like
| two schoolgirls.
| After tea Mrs. Sturgis said seriously TO
Olympia:
Whatever put it into your head to want
bicycle to bring home, Lympy? Pm dread
| ful afraid it will cause talk"
Do you really think so, mammal" asked
Olympia, with sudden look of anxiety and
appeal on her face.
I'm 'fraid of it, said Mrs. Sturgis. Folks
| talk a good bit about Agnes Bentley. But
| then you don't throw your knees up like she
when she rides I'd be clean besides myself
| If you did,"
Olympia gave a little girlish giggle, but
| Notwithstanding this there was tremor IN
| her heart, and not altogether vague premo-
milton of coming trouble
| The door-bell rang while her thoughts
| were in shape and her heart gave little
| leap up. 1t was Ephraim Rhodess ring.
Mother. do go and let him in. :" pleaded
| Olympia, with sudden childish shyness.
| mo, / WON'T" said Mrs. Sturgis, posi-
| lively. go, and let him i'll yourself.
want to finish these dishes, and then I've got
| to sift -four for baking
| So Olympia tripped to the front door. She
| was still wearing her bicycle costume. the
length of which made her look more like a
miss of Is than a young woman who ex-
| pected soon to be a bride.
| Evidently this thought occurred to MIR.
Rhodes, too. "How are you, OIympia?" he
said little stiffiy, holding her hand a
moment before they entered the parlor. But
| his grasp was rather formal.
TO her eyes he looked decidedly old, with
his smooth, stern face and deliberate man.
ners. He sat down by the window, and
! Olympia nestled uneasily into the rocking
| chair, keeping her feet we'll out of view be-
meath her short skirt.
| $50 you have developed into a bicycle
/ girl OLYMPIA ?r Mr. Rhodes began with a
little scorn in his tone.
| "Y-es, Ephrzim,D said Olympia with a
| thr0b in her throat. They are very much
used by everybody in Philadelphia. All my
cousins ride them. / hope you don't mind
much 2"
"DO you think it is modest for young
| woman to draw attention to herself in tina
way?" he asked severely.
| Poor Mr.. Rhodes, who was conservative tt
the point of eccentricity, was much dis
| tressed, and his irritation showed in hi:
tone and in the deep wrinkles above the
| bridge Of his nose. 1t had been his sisters
that had seen Olympia mount her bicycle al
| the Turnover Station and fly away accom-
panied by Archer Bentley.
His tone was heavy with suppressed feel
ing, as he continued:
To be plain with you, Olympia, if had
believed you would ever have done what wa.
told to me to-day I never should have asked
you to be my wife.
For moment Olympia looked frightened
She was not accustomed to harsbness OIL
criticism, and she had Naturalization te
cry. Then it appeared to her that tear:
would be very absurd and undignified.
Well, Mr.. Rhodes" she said little
sharply, you have certainly spoken plainly