Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-01-21

/
both of u.s." answered, biting my
lip. at was some other person you
hoped TO see-eh2"
81 said-expected."
Don't you think il amounts to
about the same thing hazarded
suavely, "under the circumstances?
"Not at all why need it? Still,
must confess wish you had not come
just now. didn't want to see you,
nor you to see me"
Iswung round as il TO leave her.
"A girl never looks her best when
learning to cycle, she went on. Zone
always feels 80 helpless, so awkward,
so very ridiculous an object at first.
That's why practise out here before
the other folks are astir. And now
you've found il out and have come to
laugh at me-"
81 declare not, said I, returning
to her side II hadn't even the
faintest idea that you were qualifying
| for feminine Ixion-"
There! Isn't that poking fun at
me? Really, it's too bad! Why, Der.
tina told me that you yourself were an
enthusiastic cyclist almost as expert
a rider as Captain Moston. You ought
not to chaff or discourage beginner
for do so want to learn"
Again she peered round in search
of him who, to my certain knowledge,
would never put in an appearance that
morning.
"How annoyingv she calculated,
pursuing up her lips. What can be
keeping him? l wouldn't have given
him those three dances last night if /
had thought he would have failed me
now. That was the condition"
"a pleasurable one, surely" l
murmured, trying vainly to recollect
more than one Of the three dances
mentioned. "To be of service to you
in any way, to be with you, alone. and
in"
ooh. must il not be delightful"
cried Joan, in ecstasy. 81 can imag-
inc nothing more gloriousr'
The exclamation struck me as being
somewhat incredible. Looking up in
surprise, found that she had not
been paving heed to my words at ALL
her lips parted, she stood gazing with
sparkling eyes across the greensward
to where the carriage drive wound
down beneath the elm trees toward
the park gates. Along this stretch of
road tandem bicycle was being rid
den at hot pace.
"Great Cesar" I cried, on catching
sight Of the distant scorchers; that's
Bertha, isn't it? And the other-no,
it can't be"
us Captain Moston," interposed
Joan, eagerly. "Every morning they
go for n spin rs far as Bralesley and
back. Mustn't it be just glorious?
The sense of freedom, OF buoyancy, of
swift JOY, life and power, of-of---
Oh, how | envy them"
Every morning?" repeated, con-
fusedly. Bertha and Captain Mos
ton? / don't think 1 quite under
stand"
Hasn't Bertha told you? Shc and
Captain Moston have been great friends
ever so long, and they have become
- But, there, now, I'm betraying
strict condolences. l ought not to
have said word about it, but made
sure she would have told her own
brother"
"That's her way of informing me
of the fact" replied I,pointing toward
the flying figures. "And, all things
considered, she might have chosen
worse method. Bertha possesses
more tact than ever gave her credit
for. | only hope may hit upon an
equally pleasant and original plan for
acquainting her with my engage
ment--"
"Your engagement !" murmured
Joan, with manifest effort to control
herself that set my heart humping
with JOY. Electromagnetic"
'To teach you cycling"
"Oh! l thought you meant-some-
thing else"
"Since i, s clear your regular in
structor will not be available today,
may / ask yout to consider my proposal,
Joan?"
Its good of you to offer, Tom.
I'm afraid you'll find me terribly
backward pupil and know 1 shall
never he able to get on by myself"
"Then allow me To help you. First,
you place your right foot on the pedal
50; now | lift you to the saddle and
keep you there firmly, securely"
"Oh, but 1 didn't mean that, you
stupid boy! And need You hold me
quite SO tightly? My other teacher
did not
"By George, should hope not, in
deed! He couldn't put his whole
heart and soul into the matter as can
that is, if am TO consider myself
definitely engaged"
"Well, not definitely. Tom; say tenn
porarily, until | see how you suit"