The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-01-14
q,
a. v
s RACE FOR A WIFE. :
d. "
r. W
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS;
eve agree. -

eve agree"
1t was beautiful May morning, and tbe
picturesque road leading to Crystal Spring
was an appropriate one for race when
must in any case afford a romantic e"di""'
1t was bordered with hedges and stat l.
trees odorous with tender buds and lraves'
from among which busy little ma ldrr'
oaroled merry accompaniment to the'' an
ceasing labor.
The novelty of this race for wife excited
much pleasant comment from the group Of
friends and cylists who had gathered in
Mrs. Preston 8 front yard, responsive 10 her
invitation to watch the start of the trio and
accompany them upon the race.
1t was Just 10 o'clock when Met, Ran.
dali, neatly attred in a cycling suit of owe
green with glinting silver trimming, passed
out of the house and greeted her friends
with pleasant good morning.
| A murmur OF admiration rose from tht
| feminine portion of the company as she
stood for brief second beside her wheel.
/ Self possessed but modest, in the cool green
OF her costume she appeared a part of the
natural picture which surrounded her. A
bed of daffodils grew close to her feet, and
she stopped and gathered bunch Of the
brave yellow blossoms and fastened them
securely at her belt.
Then, with a merry laugh and graceful
toss of the head toward Davis and Stanton,
at the quick ring of bicycle bell, the sig
nal for starting, declining the proffered
assistance Of the competitors, she mounted
her wheel and sped quickly down the roa'.
She had nearly reached the first corne
when, at signal the two men were away.
A third ring, and the merry company
mounted, following as rapidly as possible
the two flying contestants.
what a glorious spin ~ thought Meta,
as the swift motion sent the exultant blood
leaping through every artery ard every
fiber of her body thrilled with the exuber-
ant Joy of living.
Faster and faster she flew along, until
she seemed impalpabe and endowed with
freedom as perfect as the breeze which
famed her crimson cheek and tenderly
| lifted the curls about her face.
So completely did natures influence en-
thrall her that no thought of the ride, its
purpose or the two men who were speeding
so closely behind her, entered her mind
until shout informed her of the fact that
Davis was ahead of Stanton aud rapidly
gaining on her. Then, quicker than flash
of light, came that for which she had pre-.
viously so longed-the knowledge that one
of these men was dearer to her than the
other. Pure, tender and sweet, yet full of
fear it came, causing quick gasping for
, breath and deepening flush upon the
cheek as she realized that perhaps the
knowledge came too late and that if Harry
Davis won the race the happiness of two
lives must certainly be wrecked.
With a voiceless prayer more fervent than
any she had ever breathed before, she re-
doubled her own efforts to reach the spring
as she heard the gentle whizzing of wheel
behind her. 'Phiip, Philip, Philip" APP
pealingly resounded through her brain like
a human voice. In agony she cutched
more firmly the handle bars bent her body
forward as she exerted every muscle to the
uttermost, and pedaled with the greatest
rapidity in her determination to win the
goal ahead of Davis. II she succeeded,
there was one more chance for Stanton to
win by drawing lots.
But the spring was just in sight and now
so near that she fancied she could hear the
crystal water as it tinkled softly into its
rocky basin. If Davis should win
ooh, no Not that ~ she whispered.
She was trembling with excitement. A
sudden mist clouded her sight a rumblng
in her ears partially deafened her, when
oh, thank Cod, the goal was reached
Then thsIe was far off shout, the heavy
breathing of a man beside her, gentle
touch upon her arm, and next
A sense of dizziness and the recollection
of falling from her wheel and, saw-not
Davis, but Philip Stanton bending over her
with tender solicitude and uttering loving
ordinations.