The Forrest City times., 1899-04-14

put you don really have to choose
between them. You Just,
"oh, yes, l dol" interrupted Celia
very positively. ''It can never he the
same. 1t will all be different. should
have to give up papa, and / shall most
certainly say: NO."
This was in the morning.
In the afternoon Mrs. Cassidy and
Celia went for spin through the parks
on their wheels.
oh, Mr.. Ford and I have had such
lovely rides on a tandem that he las,-
Celia said, rapturously. "I wish I had
written him note telling where am
staying. l really don't think there
would be any harm in his coming. and
he might help Inc to decision. 1t real
ly seems as if it would be heartless to
say: No. for he says he thinks every
thing of me. You just ought to hear
him once! And, as you say, 1 haven't
really got to give papa up. He might
come and live with us. Anyway, could
see him every day-almost as much as
do now, for he's only home few hours
in the evening. But it did seem SO ter
rible at first!"
In the morning the terror of it all re-
turned, made worse by feeling that a
decision must be reached that day, for
1t was the last of her stay with her
friend. But when Mrs. Cassidy Joined
Celia her face was beaming with plan
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 their way
from town. At Madison street they sep
arate; your father goes west to take the
Third street cars. Now, this is my
plan: This afternoon on your wav
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 you mustn't stop or fall Of"
YES" said Celia.
"And if at the very last you can't de-
eide to leave it all to the wheel"
Leave it to the wheel?" Celia did not
understand.
"Yes. Haven't you ever noticed your
wheel act independent of yourself?
That is, turn this way or that without
your consciously making it?"
ut did that when was learning to
ride"
But since?"
'Yes-sometimes."
well, that's the way planchetta
works." said the other, mysteriously.
ITS really ones subconsciousness
that does it, / suppose. You know
subconsciousness is like clairvoyance
and second 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 be like being afraid
of ones own SOUL"
We'll, what them" eagerly.
"Why, if it is best that you should ac-
cept Mr.. Ford your wheel will keep
straight ahead down Columbia avenue
after him. But if you really ought to re-
fuse him it will turn without your real
ly making it, down the street that your
father takes"
'Really?"
YES"
II have read that the wheel taught
one decision" Celia said. But l never
knew just how"
well, that's how" said Mrs. Cassidy.
slowly and thoughtfully.
The sun had disappeared behind the
tall brick blocks to the west and left
the street, canyonlike, in soft shadows.
Celia darted among the carriages, dodg-
ing heavily-laden trucks, the while
keeping sharp eye upon the walk for
two men.
"Oh, there he isl" she said, softly,
with little thrill of delight. MORN
has new suit of gray-that's why /
didn't know him sooner. What would
he think of me if he knew 1 was so
near, watching him? He said he should
be under torture till gave him my an
swer. He doesn't act like it. What
can papa and he be talking so agreeably
about? Papa, the dear old soul! But
l must be thinking. must choose be-
tween 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 / was in the same room
with him-that he could feel my eyes"
They crossed jefferson street.
Its at the next corner, now!" she
gasped, land / haven't decided yet.
am all that papa has in this world.
How can i leave him alone? Would it
be right? Other daughters do. Laura
seemed to think it would. Norm says
he can never love anyone else = he'd
rather die than live without me. Oh,