Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-08-20
AN ETHICAL LAPSE.
By w1cKLIFFE GRAY.

time.
III you really must have it, Of
course" said, attempting a look OF
mock resignation
Now, don't say It in platitudes, ]" she
warned, archly.
You look almost ILL.," | continued.
Patricia poHted. In thescomparatiye
sense" fastened to add. THAT is. you
know, mean you don't look so well as
you did a the beginning Of the season"
That's why ] asked you, wasn't ii ?"
she asked, inuocenty.
Perhaps | flushed a little. Somehow,
Patricia could always make me flush al
times. used my teacup as shield.
Ignored her interjected query.
You take too much exercise of the
wrong sort; not enough OF the right"
went on. Dancing is all right; but too
much dancing wears. Balls are very well
If they don't roll around too often"
mo bad puns. doctorl' she laughed.
Still I was not Disconnected. and con-
tinued: Late ho-rs are inseparable
from balls, and theaters, and petits
soupers-around ~ o'clock. Finally
black rings come under the eyes
Patricia now showed real concern. !
was gratified little.
"You need some counteracting exer-
else" | pursued Easy, regular. not
tiresome-something that refreshes
mind and body Such exercise is
stlmulant, and brings sleep that rests.
beauties"
Patricia was showing more and more
interest. "Out of doors is best" said
mot walking altogether. II you walk
fast enough to 90 your health good, some
people might not call it walking"
There are always cats. Nasty things
with tongues, said Patricia.
Not an automobile, altogether You
get air, but no real exercise"
Air is all right" | added, for the
sake of Patricia's look of Incredibly
But you must make your lungs use
the fresh air to advantage A full
-four barrel would do a poor man no
good unless ii were kneaded into
dough. Tennis? Golf? No. said
regular exercise They are too irreg-
ular. They might be salt to the por-
ridge. but not the porridge ITSELF"
We'll. what them" Patricia de-
manded. Skating? Summer is al
most here now"
mo. Let's see-rowing? Blisters,
sunburn," Patricia shuddered. II have
it-a bicycle!"
"But | never tried to ride but once"
Patricia put down her teacup with some
thing like dismay
Often since that time have wondered
whether my conduct was entirely in ac-
cord with professional ethics. From
the viewpoint of the straight-laced. 1t
was not, perhaps. For know Patricia
did not ride. Though as for myself, /
have ridden for years. and never comes
clear, sweet day in spring or summer
that do not feel that the hard. winding
many time | have answered and en-
ioyed a half-hour's spin among the
trees and birds, with the fresh. sweet
air tanning my face. But riding
alone, and riding with a companion
who could make ones pulse beat
faster anywhere. are two very different
things. There is a definite nearness
when man and maid go a-wheelng to-
gether. and ! mad thought of 1t often in
my rides alone TO have Patricia pedal
ms beside me would crown the pleas
ure OF the sport. and the association.
the companionship, l had thought
might-who could tell-for l fiatter
my self look well on bicycle.
30 | was now constrained to Offer
deFerentially what had planned to do
all the time.
But can teach you to ride in ever
so short a tlme--one or two trials. at
most"
Patricia studied a moment. Then
she said: Il think 1t would be delight
ful. Only. you know. when Pm learn
ing we mustn't get on any of the fire.
quented avenues in the park" We
laughed together Already had VI
sions of two well-polished wheels. and
long, cool vistas among the trees,
and
Inc beginning OF tile emu, or the emo
of the beginning don't know which
happened yesterday. Patricia has
learned to ride remarkably well in a
short time. II there were really any
signs of Illness. they have disap-
peared. and Patricia beggars descrip-
ton in loveliness. especially when she
Is obeying my prescription.
We had not spoken for some time,
as We rode easily along the pike. home
wal bound. There was a little rise,
and whether Patricia needed the help
or not, ! out my hand ever so gently
on her waist. with the trick that every
cyclist knows, and pushed. Somehow
II was hard TO take my hand away
whom we reached the top, and when we
dismounted for little rest. 1t all
rushed TO my lips In a torrent of
words. And nothing. nor anyone Ia
see or hear but lot OF wide-eyed cows
across the fence Did they hear Patri-
eia's tremulous little yes" wonder,
Aud this. may say truthfu!ly, has
been my only lapse of professional eth
tcS when I gave a5vira RI atfaf, 4. ~.