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

DOlu VI US, answered., DltlnB my
lip. ut was some other person you
hoped to see-eh?"
II said--expected."
Don't you think il amounts to
about the same thing hazarded
suavely, "under the circums tances?"
"Not at all-why need it? Still, I
must confess / wish you had not come
just now. I didn't want to see you,
nor you to see me-"
swung round as il to leave her.
IA girl never looks her best when
learning to cycle, "she went on. zone
always feels so helpless, so awkward,
so very ridiculous an object at first.
That's why 1 practise out here before
the other folks are astir. And now
you've found it 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 badl Why, Der.
tina told me that you yourself were an
enthusiastic cyclist- almost as expert
rider as Captain Moston. You ought
not to chaff or discourage a beginner
for l 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 annoying!" she calculated,
pursuing up her lips. "What can be
keeping him? 1 wouldn't have given
him those three dances last night if l
had thought he would have failed me
now. That was the condition."
"a pleasurable one, surely" 1
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
iii"
ooh, must it not be delightful"
cried Joan, in ecstasy. II can imag-
inc nothing more glorious!"
The exclamation struck me as being
somewhat 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 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"
SIS Captain Moston," interposed
Joan, eagerly. every morning they
go for spin rs far as Bralesley and
back. Mustn't it be just glorious?
The sense of freedom, of buoyancy, of
swift JOY, of life and power, of-of--
Oh, how l envy them"
Every morning?" 1 repeated, con-
fusedly. Bertha and Captain Mos
ton? / don't think l quite under.
stand"
Hasn't Bertha told you? She and
Captain Moston have been great friends
ever 50 long, and they have become
- But, there, now, I'm betraying
strict condolences. / ought not to
have said a word about it, but l made
sure she would have told her own
brother"
"That's her way of informing me
of the fact, replied /, 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. l only hope l may hit upon an
equally pleasant and original plan for
acquainting her with my engage
"Your engagement !" murmured
Joan, with n manifest effort to control
herself that set my heart humping
with JOY. Electromagnetic"
$40 teach you cycling"
"Oh! l thought you meant-some-
thing else"
'Since it's clear your regular in
structor will not be available today,
may ask you to consider my proposal,
d ONu'
Its good of you to offer, Tom.
I'm afraid you'll find me terribly
backward pupil, and 1 know 1 shall
never be able to get on 10y 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 didn't mean that. you
stupid boy, And need you hold me
quite so tightly? Ny other teacher
did not.
by George, / should hope not, in
deed He couldn't put his whole
heart and soul into the matter as l can
that is, if l am to consider myself
definitely engaged"
"Well, not definitely, Tom; say tenn
porarily, until see how you suit"
with any prospect of permanent