The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-04

SV4hS anu lNc With Us ANY Way,
! could sec him every day-almost as
much as / do now, for he's only Nome
few hours in the evening. But IL aid
seem so terrible at nrst."
In the morning the terror OF IL all re-
! turned, made worse by "A feeling that a
| decision must be reached that day. for
| IL was the last OF her stay with her
! friend. But when Mrs. Cassidy Joined
J Celia her face was beaining with d pan
which she had thought out.
i've a way. Celia. for YOU TO know
your own mind"
"Oh. what is it?"
Listen. Tom says that every even
! ing Mr.. Ford and your father walk
| down Columbia avenue together on
1 their way from town. Al Madison
| street they separate; your father goes
west TO take the Third street cars. Now
this is my plan; this afternoon on your
| way home you ride your wheel slowly
down the avenue JUST back OF the two
men. But don't let them see you. All
| the way you must just think that you
/ must make up your mind between
them, and at the corner where they
! part that you Will follow the one whom
| you decide upon. Ride your wheel just
as slow as you can, but mustn't stop or
| fall off"
Yes" said Cela.
And IL at tie very last you can't de-
| eide leave IL all TO the wheel
Leave II TO the wheel?' Celia did not
undcrsta tand.
Yes. Haven't you ever noticed your
wheel aot Independently of yourself?"
That is. turn this way or that without
your consciously making it?"
1T did that when l was learning to
ride"
But s!nce?"
"Yes-sometimes."
"Well, that's the way planchette
works." said the other mysteriously.
LIS really ones subconsciousness that
| does II, | suppose. You know subcon-
| sciousness is like clalrvoyance and Sec
ond sight and hypnotism and all those
things which know all about the past
| and future"
Celia shuddered.
I'm afraid OF such things"
But not OF subconsciousness. To be
| afraid OF that would like being
| afraid OF ones own soul"
well, what them" eagerly.
why. IL IL is best that you should
accept Mr.. Ford your wheel Will keep
| straight ahead down Columbia avenue
after him. But II you really ought 10
| refuse him II will turn without your
| really making It, down the street that
| your father takes"
| Really"
| Yes
Il have read that the wheel taught
| one decision" Celia sai-. But I never
| knew just how
| We'll, that's how" said Mrs. Cassidy
| slowly an thoughtfully.
| The sun had disappeared behind the
| tall brick blocks to the west. and left
| the stret canyon-like, in soft shadows.
| Celia darted among the carriages. dodg-
| ing heavily laden trucks, the while
| keeping a sharp eye upon the walk for
| two men
"Oh. there he is." she said softly.
with a little thrill of delight. Norm
has a new suit Of gray, that's why I
| didn't know him sooner What would
4 ne think IL he knew i was so near,
| watching him? He said he should be
! under torture till / gave him my an
swer. He doesn't act Ike IL. What
| can papa and he be talking so agree
! ably about? Papa, the dear old soul,
| But ! must be thinking-I must choose
between them'
Cela's face paled little.
| Papa wouldn't come and live with
us. He just couldn't, Whenever we've
| talked of boarding he has said he could
not bear to give up his home. It's a
| wonder Norm doesn't look this way. He
] has said again and again that he knew
| when I was i'm the same room with him
that he could feel my eyes"
They crossed Jefferson street
| ITS at the next corner. now" shs
| gasped, land | haven't decided yet. 7
! am all that papa has in the world.
| How can I leave him alone? Would Il
be right? other daughters do. Laurs
| seemed to thing IL would. Norm says
! he can never love any one else-he q
| rather die than To live without me. Oh.
| here Is the corner. And they are sep
arating. Papa IL looking this way
What shall I do? tust can't decide.
| Laura said leave u 10 the wheel. What
| will the wheel do?"
| There was breathless moment,
| Cela's wheel was going very slow then
| slower slower. but straight ahead
| Upon its movements hung her fate
| Would IL decide for Norm? Her heart
| had almost ceased TO beat. One more
turn OF the pedals would carry her by
Slower, slower Suddenly her wheel
| turned sharply to the right.
1 "Oh it's for papa" she said with
! breath that came like a krife in her
| side. "Poor Norm
| In another moment Celia had ove--
taken her father. and together they
| turned down the street. which ran par.
allel To Columbia avenue
| You're not looking we'll" Mr.. BeA
| thune said.
| "I've been doing some very hard rid.
4
| for there were tears In her own. WIN
| there is NORM. Ford" she exclaimed
as that young man came up the side
| street toward them.
| Ford was surprised 20 find Celia witt,
her father, but delighted withal. Her
| reception was such as one might give
| the ghost OF dear dead friend
Here are some papers meant IA
| give you. but forgot them"
| "Oh, yes" replied Bethune. taking
the package. you'll be up this even-
ing?" he Inquired with look toward
his daughter which seemed to add
now that Celia Is home"
| Yes" Celia answered quickly for hin,
| and Ford felt he was 10 know his fate
that night. and feared what Il would
be. Celia was very pale: her manner
| was unmlstakable.
| After tea Mr.. Bethune sat in his H.
brary. Celia had taken stool and
| drawn n near him in the dusk.
| Daughter. I'm going 90 take Mr.
Ford into partnership In my business. .
| "oh. papa. he-he has asked me to
| be his wife tool"
Too? I'm not going 20 be his wife /.
| YOU needn't be SO friRhtened"