The morning times., 1897-03-01

to persons Intimately acquainted with ii,
and yet appear to a stranger rich in pos
sible and seductive alternatives. After
! about two miles this particular road
branched into two. The road might be
straight, but which was the road? So
Tar as Marcia could see, an equal amount
or divergence was involved in going either
way However, after long consideration,
she made up her mind that she turned less
aside by bearing to the left than by swerv-
ing to the right Her opinion hen formed
became as opinions will-at once a GER
tainty; she could not suppose that anybody
could be stupid enough to hold any other.
She bore to the left; then she rode on for
great many miles, or SO il seemed. It
rained harder than ever; she dTipped from
head to foot; mud slushed about the re-
luctant wheels of her bicycle She dis
mounted, deciding that it had been a mis-
take to force her mother-in-law into
an approval OF this mad jaunt
Il could cry she declared as she shook
herself and felt the spray from her clothes
flying round her.
In dogged obstinacy she began TO walk
up long, steep hill dragging the bicycle
with her. She seemed to get no nearer the
top; the bicycle appeared to engage itself
in persistent effort to roll down to the
bottom. She remembered with vain regret
the days when she considered bicycling
an unladylike pursuit. PreJudices are nc
doubt properly condemned, but they save
many a disenchantment.
THANK heaven said Marcia, there's
house! don't suppose it's an inn, but if
they're Christians they'll dry ne and
send something to pick up Fred
The house to which she referred stood
q little way back from the road. At the
very first glance had an air OF comfort,
OF warmth, of q thing even more precious
at the moment absolute dryness. Marcia
pushed on at quicker pace and turned in
through the gate No dog barked inhospita-
bly,. She felt as though she would be vel
come.
After ALL" she reflected. I'm rather
a nice person 10 turn up out Of the night
like this!' But a revulsion OF feeling
followed quickly. What a fright l must
look. l hope there Won't be a party
Leaning her bicycle against the door
post, she rang the bell The pause that
followed plunged her into nervous and
apologize condition; the conviction of
frightfulneSs grew stronger; her fringe
hung in damp strings, her skirt Clung
around her in an affectionate but un-
becoming manner; she felt sure that her
face was stTeaky. And it would un-
doubtedly look queer that she should ar
rive alone These circumstances reduced
her to a state OF int ense embarra ssment
which was not lessened when the door
opened and revealed a young and good
looking man in evening dress.
Us your master at home?" She blurted
out
For the time l am my own MASTER
was the answer, given in smooth. pol
ished and pleasant tones. May ask"
'Oh. I'm so sorry. II thOught-Oh,
well, | mean. one OF our bicycles has
broken down and-I'm Mrs. Nettleton, YOU
know. and I've lost my way; and Fred'>
somewhere back on the road. and-oh
dear. I'm so wet!'
The young man smiled very pleasantly.
Il understand perfectly said he BE
lieve me. I shall be delighted TO assist
you. You must come in and get dry
And you'll send for
''In send for your husband as soon
as l can"
Marcia smiled; it was very amusing that
Fred should he taken for her husband, a
boy like Fred, But she did not unde-
ceive her host. Perhaps 1t was as we'll
as it was. She would tell him later on,