The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-15
The Conquest of the Citrate
By
UBY NJ. YRE s.

/ but because he feared he had been the
means OF keeping her away.
But all that Sunday no bicycle bell
startled the peaceful village from its leth-
argy.
Mr. Haynes-AIiss Lee
It was in the wears drawing room that
the Inevitable meeting took place. The
curate broke the silence.
ut is very warm.
Eyes. very" absently.
quite ideal weather for July"
quite"
4 envy those by the sea to-day"
$50 do T.
You are stil staying at Dane Court?'
Yes BY the way. lost that button
after all"
Indeed"
/ The curates hand went TO his pocket,
and he found, with a guilty flush. that the
sixpence was still there
Yes" she went on. II must have dropped
it when 1 rode off. I missed it directly I
turned the corner.r
Really"
II need not have troubled you after all.
as it did no good and only detained you un-
necessarily"
Alick raised his eyes. "It did not detain
me-" he said quietly.
1T is very tiresome-about that button I
mean. can't get any in the least like it,
The curate knew nothing about such mat
tiers and did not look particularly inter-
ested.
''You did not come to church last Sun
day." he said.
did you look out for me?' she said,
naiveIy.
The curate blushed. II thought you were
not there" he said, severely. because we
had no disturbance during the sermon
81 did not come as the walk was so lone
ly. Besides. did not want to shock the
propriety OF your tame sheep third time. "
The curate stirred his tea furiously. The
term tame sheep" for his congregation
seemed to him a sacrilege.
''That was very considerate Of you, Miss
Lee" he said.
Eyes. wasn't it?' she agreed, cheerfully.
"Oh. Mr. Haynes. why do you so object to
cycling? You wouldn't If once you learned
to ride
'I strongly disapprove OF It. It is ex-
| penSlNe ana unnecessary.
'You think IT very wicked of me to rider
mot wicked" hastily, but 1 would
rather you didn't"
why should you mind?"
The Rev. Alick Haynes rose, frowning.
1T has nothing to do with me-" he said,
in his most clerical tones; ''at least only
so far as example goes. hope 1 shall
never ride a bicycle"
He bowed and moved away, Wishing he
had spent the afternoon anywhere than at
the vicarage.
The congregation Of ST. Peters grew
almost accustomed to Miss Lees late ar
rival at church: but the effect those tardy
footsteps had upon the curate was only to
make him turn his head rigidly away On
the third Sunday evening after the intro
duction at the wharfage, however, it came
on very wet during the service, and as the
congregation left the church, summer
gowns were bundled up under dingy mack
intoshes.
But one figure remained in the porch with
neither umbrella nor waterproof wherewith
TO brave the elements, and another figure
under an umbrella, hurrying from the YES
try door toward the churchyard gate
paused on seeing bicycle near the porch,
its owner carefully studying the church
notices, apparently unconscious that any
one was near.
Miss Lee. haven't you umbrella?"
1t is startling to be spoken to when you
fancy yourself alone, and Dorothy turned
with very flushed face.
mo. Mr.. Haynes. L must wait till the
rain stops
IF you will come with me, can shelter
you as far as the vicarage. and I'm sure
Miss Cardiff will lend you an umbrella or a
cloak"
They had not gone far when sounds OF
horses feet and carriage wheels came be-
hind them.
They have sent for you." said the
curate.
I'm so glad" answered Dorothy.
II hope you won't catch cold" said Mr.
Haynes. as the machine was hoisted into
the wagonette.
Dorothy held out her hand. Good bye, >
she said. THANK you so much"
The curate just touched the friendly little
hand.
Goodbye" he answered. Let this be a
lesson to you not to cycle on Sundays"
ION the contrary said the girl, 81 shall
come again next Sunday in the same way
The following Sunday was dry and sunny
and Dorothy cycled over as she said she
| would.
But the curate was not at church. He
was suffering from bad attack of neu-
| ralgia.
If one member of the congregation sat
throughout the service with a preoccupied
air, it was nothing to do with anyone else
IL she went home through the village II
~