Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-09-30

which busy little builders caroled merry
Accomplishments to their unceasing la
Dor.
Tho novelty Of this race for a wife
excited much pleasant comment from
the group Of friends and cyclists who
had gathered in Mrs Prcston's front
yard. responsive to her invitation TO
watch the start Of tko trio and accom-
pany them upon the race.
IL was just 10 o'clock when Meta
Randall, neatly attired in a cycling suit
Of oliv0 green with glinting silver trim
miug, passed out Of tho house and greet
ed her friends with a pleasant good
morning.
A murrur Of admiration rose FROM
/ the feminine portion of the company as
she stood for "a Lrigf second beside her
wheel. Self possessed but modest, in
tho cool green Of her costume she APP
peured a part Of. the natural picture
which surrounded her. A bed Of daffo-
dis grew close to her feet, and she
stopped and gathered n bunch of the
brave yellow blossoms and fastened
them securely at her belt.
Then, with a merry laugh and q grace
full toss Of tho heud toward Davis and
Stanton. at the quick ring Of a bicycle
bell, the signal for starting, declining the
proffered assistance Of the competitors,
She mounted her wheel aud sped quick
lv down the TO d. She had nearly reach
ed tho first corner when, at a second
signal, the two men were away. A
third ring, and the merry company
mounted, following as rapidly as posi-
Bile the two flying contestants.
"What q glorious spin!' thought
Meta, as the swift motion sent the ex-
ultant blood leaping through every ar
terry. and every fiber Of her body thrilled
with the exubcrant JOY Of living.
Faster and faster she few along, an
til her effcrts seemed involuntary. To
herself she seemed impalpable and en-
dowed with n freedom as perfect rs the
breeze which famed her crimson check
and tenderly lifted the curls about her
face.
So completely did natures influence
enthrall her that no thought Of the ride,
its purpose or the two men who were
speeding so closely behind her entered
utI nlllu unAAl a EAUNl A44lIA l.-NA ANCA VI
the fact that Davis yyas ahead Of Stan
ton and rapidly ga;ring on Der. Then,
quicker than Il Fash Of light, came that
for which she had previously so longed
tho knowledge that II Of these meu
was dearor to her than the other. Pure,
tender ard sweet, yet full Of fear il
came, causing a quick gasping fol
breath and Il Deepening flush upon the
cheeks as sho realized that perhaps thu
knowledge came too late, and that il
Harry Davis won tho race tho happiness
of two lives must certainly be wrecked.
With q voiceless prayer more fervenI
than any size had ever brcathed before
she redoubled her own efforts to reacl
the spring as she heard the gentle whiz
zing of n wheel behind her. philip
Philip, Philipl' appcalingly %resoundet
through her brain like a human voice
In agony she clutchcd more lrmly tn
handle bars, bent her body forward a
she exerted every muscle to the utter
most, and redaled with tho creates
rapidity in her determination to vii
the goal ahead Of Davis. II size succeed
ed, there was II more chance for Stan
ten to win by drawing lots.
, But the spring was jnst in sight an
now so near that she fancied she coul
, hear the crystal water as it tinkied soft
ly into it's rocky basin. If Davis shout
wmi
''Oh, no, Not that" sne whispered
She was trembling with excitement
! A sudden mist clouded her sight,
T rumbling in her ears partially deafene
! her, when-oh, thank God, the goa
was reachedl Then there was a faro.
shout, the heavy breathing of q ma
! beside her, q gentle touch upon be
arm, and next
A sense Of dizziness and the r~ecolleC
q ticn of falling from her wheel came
q her MS she opened her eyes and saw
I, not Davis, bus Philip Stanton. bendin
over her with tender solicitudo and u
7 teriDg loving ordinations. - Emm
q Platt Guyton in Waverly Magazine.
nr.t, Eervo Gala