The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-20


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| II expected thought it was some one
else"
That's a little disappointing for both of
US" / answered. biting my lip. ut was
some other person you hoped to see-eh?"
Il said-eXpected.'
Don't you think it amounts to about the
same thing" l hazarded suayely, under
the circumstances"
mot at all why need it? Still. I must
confess wish you had not come just now:
l didn't want to see you nor you to me-"
l swung round as if to leave her.
"A girl never looks her best when learn
ing to cycle, she went on. Zone always
feels SO helpless, SO awkward, so very
practice out here before the other folks are
astir And now you've found it out and
have come to laugh at me-"
Il declare not" said 1, returning to her
| side. Il hadn't even the faintest idea that
you were qualifying for a feminine Ixion-"o
Really it's too bad RRx Bertha rdm 4 told me-
| that you yourself were an enthusiastic
| cyclist-almost as expert a rider as Captain
| Moston. You ought not to chaff or dis
courage beginner, for do so want to
| Again she peered round in search of him
who. to my certain knowledge, would never
| put in an appearance that morning.
How annoying! she calculated, pursuing
up her lips What can be keeping him? I
| wouldn't have given him those three dances
| last night II l had thought he would have
failed me now. That was the condition"
A L
trying vainly to recollect more than one of
the three dances mentioned. ITO be of
service to you in any way, to be with you,
ooh, must it not be delightful" cried
JOAN in ecstasy. II can imagine nothing
more glorious!'
what incredible Looking up in surprise,
found that she had not been paying 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 ridden at a hot
pace.
Great Caesar" 1 cried, on catching sight
of the distant ScorcherS, that's Bertha,
| isn't it? And the other-no, it can't be-
rs Captain Moston" interposed Joan
eagerly. Every morning they go for a spin
be just glorious? The sense of freedom, of
buoyancy, of swift joy. of life and power,
EVERY 0h now en rege fae% confusedlv
Bertha and Captain Moston? 1 don't think
1 quite understand"
tain Moston have been great friends ever so
long, and they have become But, there,
ought not to have said word about it; but
| made sure she would have told her own
CHATS her way of informing me of the
| fact, replied /, pointing toward the flying
| figures. And, all things considered, she
might have chosen a worse method Ber-
1 L
her credit for. / only hope / may hit upon
as equally pleasant and original plan for
acquainting her with my engagement"
| Your engagement murmured Joan,
with a manifest effort to control herself
that set my heart to humping with joy.
''You-engaged?"
ITO teach you cycling"
"Oh! l thought you meant-something
else
"since it's clear your, regular instructor
will not be available to-day. may ask you
to consider proposal, JOan!
Its good, Of you to Offer Tom: I'm
arad p nG me shaw e neWeS be- abe to
get on by myself"
"Then allow me to help you. First, you
place your right foot on the pedal-so; now
/ lift you to the saddle and keep you there
"oh, but I didn't mean that. you stupid
boy! And need you hold me quite so
tightly? My other teacher did not
by George, 1 should hope not, indeed!
He couldn't put his whole heart and soul
consider myself definitely engaged"
well, not definitely. Tom; say tempo
rariIy, until L see how you suit
Joa m?"" asked Iie 1 unsteadiy I'm serious,
now; you cannot have misunderstood"
rheTe I6 nfav me me tumble over thai
time Why I don't believe. you're bit
ADLER Instructor than the other, one, after
theories as to-Why, here's Harold himself.
Now, isn't that tiresome? Just when we
were managing so nicely, TOO.
AS Joan spoke my uncle young nopeIui
came Looping along the path. GREATNESS and
spent with the haste he had made
lawfully sorry I'm so late, Miss Bellin-
ger" gasped he Some silly idiot fastened
me into my bedroom this morning, and it
| took me a beastly long time to screw off the
| lock with my penknife. I've half notion it
was one of Captain Moston's jokes.
"Captain Moston?'' said l. my hand going
| instinctively into my pocket, where lay the
yes: our rooms are close together you
| know-his two doors to the right of yours,
| just as mine is two doors to the left. But But
| ri find some dodge to pay him out for this
| lark before I'm day older, you bet. And
now, Miss Bellinger, if it isn't too late to
II rather fancy it is Harold" FASTENED
| to put in. o,o,a .o ,,r;r
Ming sfTVell I guessed something of the
sort when saw you here: ia better 9ta clear lea
Co ahead, old chap. 1 never like to spoil
/ sport 1o,,vo,