The Forrest City times., 1904-03-18
A BICYCLE PROPOSAL
BY JOHN WICKLIFFE CRAY.


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 A girl with blue eyes did it. As in most cases where a man has found him. sell face 10 face with himself, it was a woman who held the mirror It was the old story of scouting at love until met the one girl. and then want ed to propose. But what with the doubts that assailed me as 10 the probable re- ceptlon of proposal. and my new born tlmldlty, l could never gather together suihclent courage at the proper time to give expression 10 the thoughts that kept me awake al night. l carefully formu- lated plan after plan to rid my mind of US burden, but one after another they came to naught through my disgusting shyness-cowardice. if you will. I am haIl inclined to believe that Beatrice knew my condition all the time But she had keen sense of humor. and dreaded that silvery laughter more than whole regiment of regulars. She could grow serious in a moment, and it was tHls mood l liked best But, until that sunny day, when my bicycle helped me through, | had always missed the point. Il lacked but four days of my departure from the springs. and knew to delay might mean 10 fail altogether.
 Delay and defeat were the words that hummed through my brain like sproek- et wheel as we spun down the lane that morning Ne were out after an early breakfast. and on that short journey a-Wheel l had determined to throw all my chances in the balance and find their intrinsic worth. Just how I was going 10 begin had not determined. and I thought that for once would leave the matter open for the seizure of the first opportunity.
 he morning air was crisp and cool The roadside flowers seemed nodding us cheery good morning in the light breeze. Now and then from the trees came the call of a bird, and making shiny black streak in the air. a crow would bend his flight 10 a lonely tree in the fields. calling to his mate
 Bee and had said little until we reached the broad pike
 Want 10 race?" she called back 10 il4' iiCAiA lItl punt Ol vantage q lew lengths ahead. Now I knew what that meant Bee was the better rider. for instead of taking a course of indoor physical culture she had adopted golf, tennis anda bicycle as the most enjoy able method of obtaining exercise and health
 Trying to tease" said. But go ahead I'll do my best Want to bet anythingo"
 No. not when am certain of the re- suit, she laughed
 srinned appreciation and asked: How far2"
 The two mile post, she cried. and We were off
 Bee sprinted, and so did [ But the distance between us remained about the same, and precluded conversation, even had not the pace attained the same end. Soon the sproehets were singing a steady song to pebbles that spun back ward from the rubber tires. We were. running al 2o miles an hour down the best piece of road in the section settled to a steady speed not quite my best. and Bee did the same saving strength for the last half mile. The wind Whistled a merry tune to the time We kept with our pedals. A covey of partridges fled with sharp chirps a our whirlwind advance l felt and noticed little else beside the trim figure. with l flying wisps of brown hair, just ahead of me.
 Of a sudden Bee began to draw a.ead of me
 Put your heart into the game" she called back to me, with her head half turned as she spoke She was lauehine out of pure enjoyment of the exercise. and perhaps my probable discontinue My pride was nettled. and il must have increased my strength 10 a considerable degree. Soon 1 was close behind her. and with the wheels buzzing like mad i things was even. One more spurt. ard by a tremendous effort I was aheadi Get your hand in the game" called back paraphrasing her own slang. My heart and your hand added by the force of an inspiration. "a match race." The second mile post was not more than hundred yards ahead. and was beginning to believe l should win. I had no time to look back, fearing loss of my little gain.
 But neither was to have the victory. Bees front wheel advanced slowly. but surely. until it was even with my handle bars. and as we arrived oppo- site the post, we were side by side Ii was a tie!
 You got your hand in, | laughed later under the trees where we were seated
 Yes she agreed.
 And my whole heart was in it." added cautiously.
 The blue eyes looked into mine and seemed to read what was there And then in the fear that my shyness would return. I said quickly. incoherently:
 Your hand my heart, a match, the tie-Bee--" and