The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-09-02

The nature of their meeting had de-
stroyed in her a certain shyncss which
had always prevented her from draw
ing out the best OF any man she had
talked with; and to him the adventure
had 4 special piquancy. Each found
! it possible to reveal more to the other
of character and personality than either
could ever have revealed to a mere
drawlng-room acquaintance. Tea at a
farmhouse where, apparently. 4 cycle
was ravishing novelty helped to com
plcte the illusion, now growing Oh both,
that they had known each other a long
time
1t was when they had walked for
two miles beyond the farm that he
found himself unable longer to Disguise
his growing lameness. Her kind pity
made her more unmanly than ever in
his eyes. She was full of self-reproach.
"Why didn't YOU tell me-" she said
again and again; I'VE ought to have
waited for cart
Not at all" he answered, 'you were
perfectly right"
She stopped short.
Here is Il hay Slacn, she said: YOU
are going to rest there, while go on
and send back cart for YOU
Il can walk perfectly he said.
Il shall not permit it. Goodbye.
She quickened her pace to Il run
He made three strides and laid his
hand on her bicycle.
DO you think | can let you 90 like
that! And bcsilcS-
My dear sir" she Said-it was
mode of address she bad caught from
her father, and to the Young man it
seemed quantity charming My dear
sir. | assure you that am adamant.
| decline the further pleasure of your
society on any terms Oh, do sit down
like good person, for my minds made
up"
He saw that it was: and he also made
up his mind.
Il can't let yon walk eight miles
you couldn't do it--and it's getting
late, too. 1t will soon be dusk"
Il am going.
Wait moment. IT you wW go,
you shall go on your bicycle"
You know can't
He stopped short, with her hand on
her saddle, put his other hand in his
pocket, and brought out Il neat cyclists
outfit box. He held it towards her.
"You had an outfit all the timer
Her voice was eloquent of astonished
reproach.
NO." he said, slowly, this is your
outfit"
"Thcn you-: ?" Anger blazrd in
her brown eyes.
~ stole it while your kind charity
was busy with nay bicycle"
"And you let me think had lost it
and ride back all that way and get
puncturcd and waste the whole day |
and"
Now, hear the whole truth l
stuck pin in your tire
"You must be lunatic,'' she said,
her face growing pale with anger.
'Givc me the box
She wheeled the machine into the
hedge, and set about unscrewing the
valve with fingers that trembled
1T was mad impulse, I own," he
said, looking askance at her, "but |
couldn't helpit."
She echoed his last words scornfully.
NO, | couldn't" he said. "Ive
been back from India three months
my father had been dead two days
when got hcrc-I haven't a friend in
England. And when you stopped to
help me, and were SO kind and friendly,
and-and manly couldn't bear to
let You go
She had got the tire Off now. and
was looking for TIE punclmrc.
ia" We're not manly, at any rate"
she said You understand that will
never speak t" you again. Leave NE,
please"
IL am very lame" he said.
I'm not inhuman. I'll send a cart
Or something for You. Now 90. Do
YOU hearT'
She stamped her foot as she spoke
"Try to forgive me- he pleaded.
'Iou would if you understood"
Il understand very fully she an
swered, rubbing away with the sand
paper. 1T serves me right for speak
ing to stranger. | ought to have
known that rules like that weren't
made for nothing. Go away 1t is
the least you can do. thought you
were Il gentleman, and thought YOU
looked nice, and instead -
"Ies," he said, Il deserve it all;
Ion t spare me.
"Oh, do 60, It's no use my abusing
you like a fiShwifc. 1t only make me
hate myself more. There forgive
go.''
He perceived that The first fire of
her anger was burning itself out.
1T has been pleasant he said. 81
nave never had so pleasant time.
Forgive me. should never have done