The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-15

on and-and there you are" said Dorothy,
dsmally. But you won't go, so there's ar
end to it all
Alick hesitated. rs there no other way,
Miss Lee?" He looked at the Objectionable
bicycle and back to Dorothys fearful face.
Her blue eyes seemed to say. Coward" so
plainly. He bit his lip and meditated. Do
rothy rocked herself to and fro.
Miss Lee-Dorothy." The curate's face
was pale but she smiled encourag ingly.
please don't cry. I am going"
Dorothys face was study as she held
out both hands to him appealingly.
Don't go-oh, don't go!'' she said. Il
I'm so ashamed of myself. Mr.. Haynes"
please don't say that" he answered.
cheerfully. Il Will not be long" He took
one of her hands and pressed it reassuring-
ly. then tried to mount the machine.
At another time Dorothy would have
thought it very funny, but now she sat in
agony while he fioundered about, only keep
ing his balance by logged determination.
Mr.. Haynes-oh, come back." cried the
| girl. IF you only knew that Lob, come
/ backr'
But the curate was too far away to hear
and presently the bend in the road hid him
altogether Dorothy sprang to her feet and
paced up and down the grassy patch,
/ wringing her hands. .
He will never forgive me; Oh why did
do it?''o 1t was Cyril's fault, she told her
self. Had he not said he was certain that
she could not make Alick ride bicycle the
! idea would never have occurred to her, and
the bet would never have been made. Now
that the triumph was hers, what was it
worth? She had made him break his word
and perhaps he would never forgive the de-
ception
| "Oh, he must, he SHALL" she said, aloud
| 1T was only fun; he will not mind when 1
tell him-he can't, he mustn't" But those
| hopes comfortless which are built on
doubtful foundations.
1t seemed ages before the waggonette ap-
peared in sight with Cyrils well-known
form on the boxseat. Mr.. Haynes was not
there, to the girls great relief.
well" said Cyril, as he pulled up, 81
didn't think you had it I'm you"
Neither did l." said poor Dorothy, land
1 wish hadn't"
you sorry you did it?" he asked
curiously.
Yes. I am"
''Well. I'll be hangedw said Cyril
The following afternoon Dorothy paced
nervously up and down the drawing-room
at Dane Court. for Mr.. Haynes was COM
ing to call.
She was longing, yet dreading TO see
Alick so when he appeared at the end of
the dusty road, she would fam have es-
capped.
She decided to greet him still under her
false colours, thinking it would be so much
easier to explain by degrees. 1t seemed but
a second before the door opened, and the
curate came in.
Dorothy half rose, then remembered her
self, and flushed scarlet as she held out her
hand.
Don't try to move" said the young man,
hurriedly. II am going to sit beside you.
How is your ankle? Not very painful to-
day. hope?'
NO." she said; no. it's not very painful.
1t is very good of you to come such long
way 20 ask after me. and want to thank
you too for---for, well, for breaking your
word and riding the bicycle"
The curate eoloured. 1T was nothing;
please don't mention it again."
"Oh. but I must" said the girl hurriedly.
You don't know, you"
"I understand perfectly" Mr. Haynes in
| terrupte1. gently. but with look of sup
pressed eagerness in his grey eyes. I'VE
have both been rather hard on each other
You thought 1 was very narrow-minded TO
object to cycling. I thought you-wen,
never mind what I thought. Let us start
again as
'Yes-yes," interrupted Dorothy, trying to
appear unconscious of the eager eyes bent
on her. But want you to know, 1 want
you to let me tell you something first. Mr..
Haynes will you go across to the window?
/ want to show you something"
! Mystified, the curate walked to the bay
| window Dorothy jumped up and went
across to him.
"There!'' she said Now you know. 1t
vast was all horrid pretence to make
you ride the bicycle"
"A pretence?' the curate echoed,
blankly.
yes; I'm very sorry" said Dorothy.
humble entreaty in her voice. II wanted
to make you give in to me-"
you have made fun Of me-" he said,
turning away and looking out Of the win
dow.
II didn't make fun of you," answered the
girl in a low voice. II thought it would be
so splendid to make you break your word,
and all the rest of it. but 1 don't think SO
now"
81 understand" he said quietly "You
did not consider my feelings. or care about
| them"
II didnt-then. You made me so angry
by always lecturing me for hiking to
church. 1 wanted to show you that didn't
care in the least. But 1 do now. Won't
you forgive me, Mr.. Haynes?" raising two
mournful blue eyes to the Indignantly erect
| figure
II am more disappointed than 1 can say.
L should never have thought it of you"
"At any rate" said Dorothy, beginning to
| feel rather tired of eating humble pie, 81
am no worse than you thought 1 was at
! first You always thought me a horrid girl,
and now you know it,"
81 did not say 1 thought so.'' said Mr..
! Haynes uneasily.
| words are not the only way of showing
ones feelings"
Surprising did think so, need you have
| paid me out in such way?"
There was no paying out about it.
| should not have been so mean. 1 did not
care sufficiently TO want to pay you out
In trying to clear herself Dorothy was
only making matters worse