Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-11-27

with stripped trees, and here and tnere
a patch of dingy London snow, did not
lock particularly inviting, but went
in, wondering little at my own aim
lessness of mood.
I had intended to do good deal OF
writing during the morning and early
afternoon, but I knew that, even had
l stayed at home, it would have been
impossible for me to put pen to paper.
The ubiquitous cyclist was to be
seen in great numbers and to the best
advantage. At this time of year the
smart set" was, for the most part,
conspicuous by it's absence, but there
were some pretty and neatly costumed
young women, and as l pursued my
way slowly, idly looking at those who
passed, there was flash of red-gold
hair as a slender figure, in dark grey
cloth shot by, and l knew, with a
, quickening of my heart-throbs, that l
had seen Miss Cunningham.
She was going very well, and l was
admiring the pretty back with it's girl
ish shoulders and slim tapering waist,
when suddenly woman, riding in the
opposite direction, swerved across the
road on her wheel, before Miss Cum
/ bingham had been given time either to
slacken her speed or to turn out OF
the way
| A collision, was inevitable, and with
out waiting for it to happen, as knew
! it must, in another instant l ran for
ward with great springing strides.
1t was all over before l could reach
the place. Both had fallen. and sever
al passers-by on wheels had stopped
and collected in so close a group that
I could not see whether one or both
had been seriously injured.
In less time than is taken in the tell
ing, however, had elbowed my way
through the well-meaning crowd tc
find Miss Cunningham sitting on the
edge of the grass nursing twisted
ankle her lovely face looking white
and troubled
The cause of the accident was al
ready on her feet and in the midst o.
such voluble apologies and explana
lions that could only conclude she, a
least, had suffered slightly.
Miss Cunningham" said, warnin,
the girl of my presence; and she look
ed up with a tremulous little cry O
ca. 1 was just wondering what
should do. But-but you will help me
l know" .............
IF you will let me- I responded
ratner too eagerly. 81 saw the acct
cent from distance. I hope you ar,
not much hurt"
1 don't quite know" she said rue
fully. .-..
By this time we had been practically
left alone. Seeting that an acouaint.
ance OF the young lady's had oppor.
timely appeared upon the scene the
others, whose proffered assistance
could now be dispensed with, had one
by one moved away.
! is 1t your ankle?" 1 asked, stoopine
down over the dainty foot which shew-
cd beneath the short bicycling dress.
Yes; 1t seemed to turn under me as
fell, somehow. And my poor wheel!
l know it must have had a terrible
smash. l feel far worse about it than
do about myself. But the whole
thing is a punishment, 1 suppose. 7
oughtnt to have come out alone. LADY,
Tressidy never allows it, and will be
very cross with me when she hears
what has happened, I'm afraid. 7
shant have bit more sympathy than
l deserve, when it comes out. hadn't
meant her to know at all, you see."
could not imagine how even a wo-
man could find it in her heart to re-
proach the owner of those beautiful an
pealing eyes and exquisite lips. culver
ing now, between smiles and tears. like
those of a child.
If had only dared tell her how deem
was the sympathy 1 felt! But 1 was
only afraid lest she might read it, and
more in my eyes.
Sympathetic though l was. however
l could not control my joy that, since
the accident had happened, land no
other-had been on the spot to offer
aid, which she might deign to accept.
Don't mind about your bicycle" 7
said I'm sure it's all right, or can
easily be made so again; and if you'll
let me enter into the plot, perhaps be-
tween us We can think of road out of
the difficulty with Lady Tressidy. But
the first thing to do is to get you safely
away from this"
I'm afraid can't walk" she warm
ed me, laughingly nervously.
"Of course not. A cabs the thing.
with the invalid bike on top. But may
l be with you? I don't see how it IA
possible to let you go by yourself"
1T will be Experimentation.
won't it," she smiled. But there are