Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-25

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 be-
tween 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 off"
"Yes," said Celia.
"And if at the very last you can't
decide leave it all to the wheel"
"Leave it to the wheel?" Celia did
not understand.
eyes. Haven't you ever noticed
your wheel act independent of your
without your consciously making it?"
''It did that when L was learning to
ride"
'But since?"
"Yes-sometimes."
"Well, that's the way planchette
works." said the other mysteriously
''It's really ones subconsciousness
that does it, 1 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.
81 am afraid of such things"
"But not of Inconsistencies. To
be afraid of that would be like being
afraid of ones own soul.
"Well, what then?" eagerly.
"Why, if it is best that you should
accept Mr.. Ford your wheel will keep
straight ahead down Columbia ave-
nue. after him. But if you really
ought to refuse him it will turn with
odt your really making it, down the
street that your father takes"
"Really?"
eyes"
s'I have read that the wheel taught
one decision" Celia said, "but / never
knew just how"
"Well, that's how" said Mrs. Cas-
sidy, 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 car
riages, lodging heavily laden trucks,
the while keeping sharp eye upon
the walk for two men.
ooh, there he isl" she said softly,
with little thrill of delight. Norm
has new suit of gray; that's why I
didn't know him sooner. What would
he think 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 agree
ably about? Papa, the dear old soul!
But 1 must be thinking-I must
choose between them!'
Cela's face paled little.
"Papa wouldn't come and live with
us. He Just couldn'tl Whenever
we've talked of boarding he has said
he could not bear to give up his home.
It's wonder Norm doesn't look this
way. Ho has said again and again
that he knew when L was in the same
room with him-that he could feel my
eyes"
They crossed Jefferson street.
''It's at the next corner, nowl" she
gasped, "and haven't decided yet. L
Am all that papa has in this world.
How can / leave him alone? Would
it be right? Other daughters do.
Laura seemed to think it would
Norm says he can never love any one
else-he'd rather die than live without
me. Oh, here is the corner. And
they are separating. Papa is looking
this way. What shall 1 doP I just
can't decide. Laura said leave it to
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 it decide for Norm?
Her heart had almost ceased to beat.
One more turn of the pedals would
carry her by. Slower, slower. Sud
denly her wheel turned sharply to the
right.
ooh, it's for papa" she said with
breath that came like kuife in her
side. "Poor Norm"
In another moment Celia had over
taken her father, and together they
turned down the street, which ran
parallel to Columbia avenue.
you're not looking WELL" Mr..
Bethune said.
'T've been doing some very hard
riding" Celia replied, avoiding his
eyes, for there were tears in her own.
''Why, there is Nor, Mr.. Ford"
she exclaimed, as that young man
came up the side street toward them.
Ford was surprised to find Celia
with her father, but delighted withal.
Her reception was such as one might
J give the ghost of dear dead friend.
"Here are some papers I meant to
/ give you. but forgot them"