Middletown transcript., 1901-02-02

dark hair and a pale face which grows
very solemn when l do anything moi
quite in accord with her notions. | cal
her Katherine, on these occasions. But
in spite of the fact that she is so demure
and I am-well, bachelor girl, with
ideas which I pride myself are not be
hind the times, Kitty almost shocked me
not great while ago by coming out il
bl- But am getting ahead Of my
story. | will state the circumstance
from the beginning.
1t was last spring, just after she had re
turned from visit to Washington. O
course, knew that Washington, like
most cities, had gone bicycle crazy; bu
/ never dreamed that conservative little
Kitty would get wheel in Eer head
When she returned l met her at the sta
ton, and after we had kissed each othel
she said, with an innocent air.
'sNow, if you will wait just moment
I will see to my trunks and wheel" /"
Afterward l remembered that she
glanced at me with a sort Of apprehen.
sive air when she mentioned that last
thing.
"Your what?' I exclaimed. But she
was hurrying away and pretended not
to hear me.
Of course, | helped her to unpack.
There was a blue garment which | not
iced she took from her trunk rather hast
lily and covered up in careless way. l
thought it was her bathing-srlit, and was
about to ask to see it when size began to
tell me something interesting about naval
officers know, and | forgot all about
the blue costume. But | saw it again
the next afternoon, and then it was that
I was so astonished at Kitty.
We had made an appointment for
three O'Clock. l was asked to wait in
the parlor when I called for her, and sat
idly turning the pages of volume of
Tennyson. Soon | heard her footstep
and looked up, expecting of course, to
see her in one Of her eminently quiet
and sensible tailor-made gowns. What l
really did see caused me to drop my book
and stare at her wonderingly.
cit isn't really you, is it Kitty?" I
gasped.
"Why, you goose, do you think l am
someone else?" she answeredswith gay
little laugh. GLOW do you like them?'
"Why they are very-very fetching
but you, Kitty, of all personsp
''Yes, I know" she replied, quickly,
''but our minds should be ever open to
new ideas and impressions. We should
be always striving to enlarge our views.
Prejudice and obstinacy are fatal to III
tellectual growth"
"Well," I said, after she had delivered
this bit Of wisdom, "you are not so much
changed after all; but what in the world
led you to do it?'
Her answer has nothing to do in par
ticular with this narrative, and perhaps
it is breach of confidence for me to tell
it; but she did whisper to me that she
had become engaged to college profess
sor in Washington, and he had advised
her to learn to ride the wheel "And.
above all things" he had said, "adopt a
rational bicycling costume. Don't feel
hat, because you are woman, you must
wear cumbersome skirt. " So
Kitty, like the obedient little body she
Ilways is when anyone she adnires or
likes very much assume dictatorial tone
owards her, had suddenly emerged
rom her she'll of conservatism attired in
yes, they we're boomers, there is no
lenying it. She wore, besides, long
oat that reached to her knees and but
oned in front, leather leggingS, dainty
title tan shoes, and Tam O'Shanter. !
he coat preserved the graceful lines at
he hips, and altogether the suit really
ooked very pretty on Kitty with her
light, trim figure. She cololed with
leasure at my evident admiration.
"Now you must see me ride" Sic said,
lyly, after I had surveyed her for suf-
Gently long time.
My own attack of the propelling fever
and a most delightful fever l Lave
nee found it-came as stood there on
le sidewalk and watched her spring
yhtly into the saddle Of her docile steed
glistening metal, then dart away, whirl
ound like swallow in its fight, and
ect and graceful, come gliding easily
ID swiftly toward me again.
"Ohp | exclaimed, feeling Thrill Of s
II must have wheel! This '
.ry evening 1 will speak to papa about
knew from long experience that it is t
st to approach papa on a delicate mission
.e mine Just after he has tinisE Led his
er-dinner coffee and is stretched lack i
his big armchair at peace with tiIe s
,rld. When this auspicious moment C
ne drew up stool upon which | a
ed to sit when little girl and nett!ed v
wn beside him. t.
Papa, you know the physical c,l,tu- Ii
t said was in danger Of getting too d
shy unless / took plenty Of exerui-e. Ii
e thought walking-tour this summer C
uld be fine thing for me, bur, of st
lrse, it would not be interesting to le
TX anywhere in this prosaic vicinity;
would have to lie walking-tour S
ough Scotland, or Alpine climbing, or Il
nething of that kind, you know" d
said this very sweetly and coaxingly, d.
papa moved uneasily and muttered if
netling that sounded ike, "The dick IN
it wouldP' u
of course" went on, "su b tour to
nld be very expensive; if we could or
y think OF some other way!" / paused th
f in deep perplexity. The truth is, al
almost afraid to mention tie bicycle t.
jeet, because papa is little narrow vi
lded on some subjects, and as strang fe
VS. about women aping the nlen, " as III,
calls our efforts at emancipation. m
L.