The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14
:UWS SISTER PERPLEXED.
grR EXPERIENCE IN BUYING A
M" BICYCLE SUIT FOR HIM.

- oceiyed last week. The sister Ia in the city
- nresent and the brother is at a Maine resort
lin another sister. Presumably something
h.s bappened to his bicycle clothes or he has
ssren in love with a new girl and feels the
sscessity Of making an impression. for this Is
tAe telegram no sent:
sBuy swell bicycle suit, cap. and hose and
and nv Arst express, Measures 34H waist, 81
Snst a hip. Rush II, Make 1t stunning.
JIM"
when the young woman received the mes
-re, she read IL in a dazed way. Then she sat
AVN and read It again. Then she said softly,
v.ry softly. but positively: "Idiotr' One charm
about ~fraternal relations is the frankness they
odmit.
"The suit must be for Peggy" Then she
Arnck the 34K-inch waist measure. mo. that
I-nt Peggy's shape. 1t must be for Jim him
oolf Probably Peggy took the measurements
ond he put them down Just as she said them"
After that decision. the sister thought several
hang thoughts. She didn't know any more
about bicycle clothes for men than she knew
about Sanskrit. She tried to remember what
oome OF the men with whom she had gone
wheeling had worn; but. apparently, she
hadn't noticed their suits and caps. and
her only impression OF the hose was that they
usually screamed loudly. so far as she could
oee. her only course was to go to some man
friend and ask his advice. She ran over the
names OF the men whom she knew in town.. and
oettled upon a good-natured fellow who had
married q dear friend Of hers. who had a
way Of looking exceedingly we'll dressed. even
though he was a Benedick. An hour later she
walked into this Benedick's office. handed him
che telegram and said with tragic emphasis.
"Read that" He read it and looked puzzled.
Anparcntly he didn't understand what he had
10 do with the situation. but he wanted to rise
10 the occasion IL he could find out what the oc-
Oasion was.
You'll have a hard time getting anything to
At her, won't you 2" he asked doubtfully..
Her 2" said the unfortunate sister.
why, yes. It's for Peggy. isn't it?"
"Thirty-four and a half waist measured Peggy
isn't that shape, thank you"
Benedict looked more bewildered than ever.
But Jim wouldn't be sending for a bicycle
suit for any other woman. Any way. not for a
woman with q waist that size. Jim's a mar Of
taste" he remarked facetiously. Whereupon
the young woman blushed and looked so Of
Tended that he promptly apologized and tried
10 look serious.
THE suit is for jim explained Jim's sister.
BUST measure 81 inches.n quoted Benedict
refectively.
Probably Peggy took the measurements"
oh"
Now. what ought l to get: where ought I to
Eo?"
Blanks is the best place. They'ltake good
care OF you up there. They're q lot OF nice young
fellows in the store. You just show them that
telegram and they'll be interested" advised
Benedick, with suspicious gravity. Then the
girl looked so distressed and fearful that he
repented.
Wait a minute. III put on my hat and walk
up there, Just to give you moral support"
Evidently that took u weight off the girls
mind. She thanked him fervently and cheered
up: but, when they reached Blanks. she seemed
troubled again. -,
We want 10 see some bicycle suits" said
Benedick toa suave, elderly man with a Chester
feldtan manner. and he led the couple back to
the sporting department.
asked chesterfield. iBenedicE turned and Hooked
doubtfully at the young woman. who blushed.
oh, / don't care, Get the best they have"
she, said recklessly. and Q queer expression
salesman. Probably he was thinkingth that he was
glad his wife didn't run the financial, end. of his
matrimonial enterprise; He pulled out some
them In, a hopeless. discouraged way.
Maybe they're all right" she said. but I
II should hope not exclaimed Benedick,
then withered before the look she gave him.
r, III n AN | think the goods is ugly" she ex-
BIZ. Now NH'T I'd Ti Ike G a T Piain blu" nc ' coat n9 and
49, She turned doubtfully TO the salesman.
Would that be correct" she asked.
%eu o ssa IT, &s4 maGa% E., asSsst. tas sxsIIsSt thing
fuT1ye and plying glance at BehedicE. who
evidently wasn't allowed any liberty Of choice;
We'll, | guess that will be the thing then"
she sale; running her eye over the startling
array ARA Of checked trousers. Then she turned
Which do you like best 2"
he didn't bear resentment for former snubs.
out came forward. like a man. and selected one
viii you try on the coat, sir ?' the salesman
Incurred. Benedick looked at the young wo-
Il don't think 1t is necessary" she said. and
the, salesman lost his self-control for an instant
and Gaspedi This was the worst case OF hen
experience, but Jlm's sister enlightened him by
pulling out the telegram.
Shesterleid ran his fingers through his hair
WIta a gesture OF relief, The honor and dignity
Of ihS sex were indicated.
blushed more f]uriousiy; but she couldn't 20
fi Reezi sxp!EaS2 a mSi,s 50 she merely dropped a
Sihs gentleman anything like your hus-
Oenl ~ ngure :. persisted the salesman.
aneiy, thinEiIEORR { yiG KjH2wi n she STAN FER in
Perhaps III better try on some OF the coats
s 5ick let SG y0G Is see e hoy they look. !" suggested Bepe-
49, S " tHc rescue anu, pulllnR OH MS
0ost he got into one ofthe blue bicycle coats.
th i guess It viii do" she said. and he took off
tne coat then stared at the front door and NUT
t T6et By I9ye there's Mrs, Smith, Well,
Roy you help me choose my bicycle coats while
bmOays az the s%eashoref Z" The situation struck
ann as humorous. but the expression that
66hw9ed upon the face Of Jim's sister changed
c nbs view o. the thing, She had dropped into a
emalr' ana was winking furiously to drive back
NAT M 2I embarrassment and evaporation
III oMlltlls lorgnon was levollcd upon the
Sglty couple. Her reputation as. Il gossip was
Widespread. Bcnedick h~esitated for an instant.
men ne waved his hand jovially at the stately
hgure IN the 'front.' OF the store.
10Y re Just the woman we want" he called
10 ne rigid Mrs. Smith, walking toward her, as
ne struggled into his own coat.
mere 5 q young woman who needs advice,
f fhu ! IN 2nly n man, NO naturally incompetent,
'hnnugh | m doing my best"
too. ~ w ""N '""' '"""'u
wish you'd look Mt the commission Jim
tt6ns dinlosed upon me" she said. holding out
H. hg nt telegram. I'm in despair about
'9I Ihigk Of blue coat and checked trousorsf'
sII loOkel snsnLcIOMs. She condesoended e