The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-05

pursuing up her lips. What can be
keeping him? I wouldn't have given
him those three dances last night if I
had thought he would have failed me
now. That was the condition"
"A pleasurable one. surely" I muir
INJURED, trying vainly to recollect more
than one of the three dances mention
ed. TO be Of service to you in any
way, to be with you. alone, and IN
oh, must it not be delightful?"
cried Joan, in ecstacy. II car imagine
nothing more glorious!"
The exclamation struck me Is being
somewhat incredible. Looking up in
surprise. I found that she had not been
paying heed to my words at all; her
lips parted. she stood gazing with
sparkling eyes across h greensward
to where the carriage drive wound down
beneath the trees toward the park
gates. Along this stretch OF roa a
tandem bicycle was being ridden at a
hot pace.
Great Caesar!" I cried, on catching
sight Of the distant scorchers, that's
Bertha. isn't it? And the other-no, it
can't be-
lis Captain Moston," i%nterposed Joan,
eagerly. Every morning they go for
a spin as far as Bralesley and back.
Mustn't it be just glorious? The sense
of freedom, Of buoyancy, of swift joy,
of life and power, of-of- Oh. how
I envy them!"
Every morning?" I repeated con-
fusedly. Bertha and Captain Moston?
I don't think 1 quite understand"
Hasn't Bertha told you? She and
Captain Moston have been great
friends ever so long, and they nave be-
come But, there, now, Pm batray-
ing strict condolences. I ought no to
have said a word about it; but I made
sure she would have told her own
brother"
That's her way Of informing me of
the fact reylied I, pointing toward the
flying figures. And, all things consid-
method. Bertha possesses more tact
than I ever gave her credit for. I
only hope I may hit upon as equally
pleasant and original a plan of &C
q%uainting her with my engagement'--
Your engagement" murmured
Joan, with a manifest effort to control
herself that set my lea humping
with joy. "You-engaged?"
"To teach you cycling"
oh! I thought you meant-some-
thing else"
Since it's clear your regular instruc-
tor will not be available today, may I
ask You to consider my proposal,
JOan?"
Its god Of you to offer, Tom. I'm
afraid you'll find me a terribly back
ward pupil, and I know I shall never
be able to get on by myself"
"Then allow me to help you. First,
you place your right foot on the ped
also; now I lift you to the saddle
and keep you there firmly, secure
ooh, but T didn't mean that, you
stupid boy! And need you hold me
quite so tightly? My other teacher
did not"
by Gorge, I should hope not, in
deed! He couldn't put his whole heart
n soul into h matter as I can-that
is, If I am to consider myself definitely
engaged"
"Well, not definitely, Tom; say tenn
porarily, until I see how you suit"
with any prospect Of permanency,
Joan?" asked I unsteadily. I'm SER
ious now; you cannot have misunder-
, stood
ooh, Tom-hold me! I'm go-go-go-
ing! There, you nearly let me tumble
over that time! why, I don't believe
you're a bit ADLER instructor than the
other one, after all. You may be
stronger, and have better theories as
to Why, here's Harold himself!
Now, isn't hat tiresome? Just when
! we were managing so nicely, tool"
AS Joan spoke, my uncle's Young
| Hopeful came Looping along the path
| breathless, spent with the haste he had
| made.
lawfully sorry I'm so late, Miss Bill.
| linger," gasped he. Some silly idiot
| fastened me n my bedroom thismorr
ing, and took me a beastly time te
| screw off the lock with my penknife
I've half a notion it was one of Capt.
tain Moston's jokes"
Captain Moston?" said I, my hand
going instinctively into my pocket
where lay the discriminating key.
Eyes; our rooms are close together
you know-his two doors to the righ
of yours, just as mine is two doors t.
the left. But I'll inc some dodge t.
pay him out for this Lark before I'm
a day older, you bet. And now, Mis-,
Bellinger, IL it isn't too late to be
GIN
Il rather fancy it is, Harold"
fastened to put in.
For me. you mean?" exclaimed he
grinning. well, I guessed somethin.
Of the sort when I saw you here. II
better clear out, Ell? So I'll ta-ta 10Y
and leave you. Go ahea1, Old chap
I never like to spoil sport."-Chamberi
Journal.
Almost a Riot
Norfolk, Va, November "A rio
rrac almost p-oo;p;tata5 IN DorY-or,