Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-04-14

me slave of conventions. would you:
No. independence for ever!"
With wave of her hand which near
ly caused her the ignominy of fall, and
a toss of her pretty head, she rode on,
with Miss Taberton gazing after her in
horror struck amaZement.
In the early part of the day. before the
sun was at its terCest, Dolly went along
easily, and by II her cyclometer told her
she had made twenty-four miles. and she
sat beneath = spreading beech and dain-
tily munched her sandwiches She WAS
really happy, she was as fresh as when
she started. and she had no disturbing
memory save the echo of the ribald re-
mark of an unwaShed youth in the last
town She had passed through. She sat
long while IN hlissful idleness, and
then. rising mt last she rode to the next
farmhouse. where she got glass of
milk. Thus refreshed she rode ON, Il lit
tie slower now. for the MONDAY heat of
the July day was oppressive, but thor
oughly satisfied with herself as she pre-
pared glowing account of her journey
to be related to Dick rs punishment
for daring to oppose her will.
VI the end of six more miles the first
accident occurred, puncturc. 1t was
nearly j. there was no shade. the sun
WAS pouring fierce rays upon her and not
IS aSonl .was in.sight.., Denied assistance,
she had TO repair the mischief herself,
and this took much time and brought ON
her many Inconvenience, and when at
last the bicycle was once more in work
ing order she was hot. tired and cross.
and for the first time she began to regret
the righteousness of her self-appointed
task Still she went brayely on, though
at a poor six miles an hour. even when
the road was at its best 1t was :
o'clock when she reached Fulford
Heath. with over twenty miles to go.
Two Of these were across the bare, open
heath. now half baked beneath the blaZ-
ing sun. She gave little sob of pain
aS she came out of the leafy lane
through which she had been riding on
to The white, dusty. ScorChlng road. She
checked herself in the aur Of saying
aloud. What Il perveise fool ann
taking solacc in the resolve 10 call at
the very next inn and beg the iandl0dE
to let her have 4 bath. There was lux
ury in the thought ut splashing in the
sweet cold water and washing off the
dust and heat Of that dreadful road
Whca She was nearly across the heath
two dangers confronted her i'm human
form. for suddenly, from Sheltpring
/ gorse bush. two Misunderstanding tramp~
/ lCaped IN to the roadway in front of
4 her - was about to turn back. Whcu
/ she heard shout behind her. and saw. Hs
/ She looked around. 81 CyciSt coming fun
/ speed to her aid. The trampS saw him
/ a. well. and incoutineutly fled Dolly
:
would seek the strangers protection. but
/ she instantly hethought herself of her
! appearance and. hastily remounting. she
dashed off ut top speed. When she
next looked round the cyclst was out OF
/ sight.
After four hours of painful telling She
/ came 10 an inn. and entering through the
/ har where = crowd Of rough-appearnc
men were drinking. she found the land
lady and proffcrcd her request.
/ II never hcerd of such a thing, cr.ei
! the laudlady. with a vulgar brutal laugh.
| Then, seeing the real pain She gave the
! girl. Shc relented 50 far as 80 say: y on
I cam have a wash at our back sink if you
I like"
Dolly gratefully accepted. and for n
/ time rode ou with renewed strength. hu5
! 1t was q when She came 10 Il milestone
( bearing the diSheartcniug inscription,
To Cumbcrcge, thirteen miles"
! Il can never do il, she said as She
/ struggled on. worn out and agon.zed 70
/ find that she had ovrrtaXcd her strength.
/ suddenly ut the end Of Il winding road.
the ma hinc came near Ia stopping. and
nearly jerked her out If the saddle She
/ turned the curve Is the road. lSmount-
ed and found that a really-had puncturc
I was the cause. She sat down on the
/ hank diSeonSolaie. and for the first time
the tears came pouring down her cheeks
i can do II. | can't do it, she sohbed
aloud.
"You needn't try" said voice beside
her as cycliSt diSmounted by her side
aud took her machine from abe ground
| where il lay disabled
She looked up 10 see Dick beside her
All her anger with him fled at once. and
ouly Il grateful sense Of his protectiu.
presence remained.
oh. Dick, I'm so glad you're here"
"llrlnk this, he said. offering her h;s
haSS. Its only sherry, but you wan,
IT,"
She took il meekiy. and watched him
rs he skiilfuly repaired the puncturc
When il was done She ro>e and mounted
hut now she was 50 tired that she nearl,
feli. He was by her side in 4 moment.
Put your feet ON the rests he said
She obeyed, and guiding his own ma
chime with his right hand aud hers with
his left On the bar. he drove along. Nur
a word was said but her timid "Thauk
You. Dies" and his curt comment
You're NOT 10 talk II was very rest
tut anu comforting 10 her To travel thus
after her long and dire fatigue and Sh.
sat looking ut his broad shoulders aud
netting how strong he was She felt very
Coutrite as she remembered how kind
and good, and brave. and what truc