The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-21
FATE AND THE BICYCLE. (
HARRY wIcKHAn IN THE HonE nAdAzINE.


Ind shovels of enthusiasts had convert
ed into a bicycle track, two young men
rode with the machine-like pre- 'ision
OF experts. II the spirit of the legend
be not dead. 1t will one day invent
q nineteenth century centanr, nalt man
and half wheel.
. Lawrence Bierly and Howard Lynde
moved side by side in the manner OF
bosom friends--or bitter enemies
When the passion of hatred attaih3 a
certain intensity, 1t habitually assumes
the mask Of it's opposite. 1t Is only the
petty spite that dares to so abroad
undisguised
T'sch wheelma had n stiong motive
tina; evening, for hurrying to North
ton and for regretting the presence of
the other. Their destination was an
L. A. w. fete at the home OF the lady
of their common hope.
The rivals were singularly alike in
many respects. 1t could not be said
which ANas the taller, or which stood
higher in Mable stevens estimation:
Moreover, both carried their cyclomet-
ers at the left of the hub. This APP
parently Insignificant circumstance
had a bearing upon events which war
rants it's insertion here.
~ Biarly for the first few miles, was
Sat the feft- OF his companion. In such
a position, a collision would have
threatened his lantern. By dropping a
dozen rods behind, the hazard was
transferred tc the cyclometers. but cir
tcumstances may render them doubly
precious.
The movement was not only pruden-
tial, but well-timed, for no sooner had
it heen made than an accident occur
elf aaNiutinn from a
straight line will cause two vehicles
which are driven abreast, to collide.
An imperceptble turn of a handle bar
and there was a sound of breaking.
Nobody hurt" laughed Lydne, as
they recovered their balance without
falling, but your cyclometer is smash
ed"
That doesn't matter" responded the
other sit is too bad, though, about
your lamp"
Lynde then discovered that his light
was out, and investigation showed that
the lens and side glasses were in splint-
ers. An insurance agent could not
have regarded a fire more ruefully than
the owner regarded the wreck. He
was already within the jurisdiction of
strict city ordinances as was evinced
by the sputtering of luminous electrici-
ty.
When in silence the journey was re-
sumed. a small yellowish spot could
be seen in the distance. The spot dis
entangled itself gradually from the
darkness and announced itself as an
oil flame between a bulls eye and a
reflector.
Light" came in gruff tones from the
proprietor of the spot, who was evil
IDENTIFY an officer.
The civilians shot forward without
a word. 1t was as if they had been
aimed. The policeman proved himself
a good wheelman, and gave chase.
Instinctively the fugitives adhered
to their original direction. When they
came to Miss Stevens residence, the
law-observer quietly dismounted, leav-
ing the race to Fate.
That evening was not a social success
in the opinion of the young hostess.
She appeared more absent minded
than usual. The wistful expression
of her eyes was not customary.
After a series of manoeuvers worthy
of a Napoleon. Bierly brought about a
tete-a-tete upon the porch, To his de-
light, he discovered that the girl was
listening with unprecedented patience
to his compliments. The golden mo-
ment must be seized before it suffered
the base alloy of third person.
Mabel" he whispered, in voice
scarcely audible, this is a Iong-sought
opportunity" The speaker paused in
a manner familiar to lovers, who look
for signals before venturing upon the
unknown.
Etiquette demands that an unlucky
suitor be warned in time to avert the
humiliation of a refusal.
Encouraged by a tacit consent the
monologue continued.
You can make me the happiest of
men,"
How" The syllable seemed an un-
qualified invitation to proceed, to ears
that missed it's automatic quality
by saying yes to my question"
But you have asked nothing"
He cursed his tongue for failing ia
keep pace with thought, and said
1T is because / am going to ask
everything. DO you -" a crash
broke off the sentence The noise i'm.
mediately brought spectators. In try
ing to lessen the distance between him
self and the object of his affections,
the wooer had showed a palm from the
rail.
\,
Lynde was having troubles of his own.
When left in jeopardy by his compan-
ion, a monstrous thought slipped its
leash. HCw came it that upon a road
as level as a pool table, the handlebar
of a pastmaster of the art OF bicycling
should so unaccountably swerve? His
-. own machine had remained as true 20
its course as if 1t had been guided by a
ruler r- ''.'.
&C.," The details. of the event arranged
themselves stubbornly into an appear
y ance of foul play.
Thought >eXerts a baneful influence
upon the human body, and produces,
~ among other evils, a relaxation of the
muscles.
or '' A hand upon his shoulder aroused
d. Lynde. Further resistance was useless,
so he allowed himself to be led away
nnder arrest. His chief objection to
sleeping In cell was that thereby a
coveted interview must be lost.
sr3 Shortly after midnight, an individual