The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-03-11
A BICYCLE PROPOSAL
BY JOHN wIcKLIFFE GRAY.

ittNtu lIdl hd- tiihil man bul inc
happenings Of few weeks led me 10
the conclusion that | had my share and
more.
A girl with blue eyes did IL. AS In
most cases where a man has found him.
self face TO face with himself. IL was a
woman who held the mirror
IL was the old story of scouting at love
until met the one girl. and then want
ed 10 propose. But what with the doubts
that assailed me as TO the probable re-
ception Of a proposal. and my newborn
timidity. | could never gather together
! sufficient courage at the proper time TO
| give expression TO the thoughts that kept
me awake at night / carefully formu-
lated plan after plan TO rid my mind OF
its burden. but one after another they
came To naught through my disgusting
--cowardice If you will. | am
hair 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 IL was
this mood liked best. But. until that
sunny day. when my bicycle helped me
through. | had always missed the point
II lacked but four days of my departure
from the springs. and knew t. delay
might mean to fail altogether.
Delay and defeat were the wofds that
hummed through my brain like a 7prock-
ct wheel as We spun down the lshe that
morning. We were out after al early
~ Iot
a-wheel had determined TO throw all
my chances in the balance and fird their
intrinsic worth. Just how wa. going
TO begin | had not determined, and I
thought that for once would ls>ve the
matter open for the seizure OF the first
opportunity
The morning air was crisp ard cool.
The roadside flowers seemed nodting US
a CHEEKY good morning in the light
breeze. Now and then from tn, trees
came the call of bird and. making a
shiny black streak in the air. :, crow
would bend his fight TO a lone tree
In the fields. calling to his mate
Bee and had said little unt'l we
reached the broad pike.
Want to race" she called beck to
me from her point OF vantage 4 few
lengths ahead. Now knew wh-l that
meant Bee was the better ridcr. for
instead Of taking a course OF tadoor
physical culture she had adoptet golf.
tennis and a bicycle as the most enjoy
able method Of obtaining exercise and
health
Trying to tease. | said "rut 60
ahead. I'll do my best Wait TO bet
anything"
no. not when am certain Of he re-
suit she laughed
! grinned appreciation ana asked
"TIow far?"
The two mile post" she crled. and
we were off
Bee sprnted. and so did T. But the
distance between us remained ABOUT the
same. and precluded conversation. even
had not the pace attained the same end.
Soon the sprockets were sirsing
steady song 10 pebbles that span back
ward from the rubber tires. We were
running at 20 miles an hour down the
best piece of road in the section.
settled to steady speed. rot quite
my best. and Bee did the same. saving
strength foe the last half mi.e. The
wind whistled merry tune 90 the time
we kept with our pedals y covey OF
partridges fled with sharp chiros at our
whirlwind advance. felt aud noticed
little else beside the trim figure. with
flying wisps of brown hair. Just ahead
of me-
OF a sudden Bee began 10 draw ahead
Of me
Put your heart into the game" she
called back 10 me. with her head half
turned as she spoke. She was laughing
out Of pure entorment Of tb~ exercise.
and perhaps my probable discontinue.
My pride was nectled. and IL must have
increased my strength to a considerable
degree. Soon | was close rehind her.
and with the wheels buzzing like mad
things. was even. One more squirt. and
by tremendous effort WIS ahead,
Get your hand in the ga.ne." called
back. paraphrasing her own slang. MY
heart and your hand" ncded by tho
force of an inspiration. "a match race!''
The second mile post WIS not more
than hundred yards ahead and was
beginning TO believe | should win
had no time 10 look back. Earring a loss
of my little gain.
But neither was to have The victory.
Bees front wheel advaored slowly.
but surely. until it was e7sn with my
handle-bars. and as we arrived oppo-
site the post. We we're side by side
1t was tie!
You got your hand ir." laughed
later under the trees wlcre we were
seated.
Yes" she agreed.
And my whole heart vas in it."l
added. cautiously.
The blue eyes looked ioto mine and
seemed to read what war there And
then in the Gear that my ,hyness would
return. said quickly. incolerently:
Your hand. my heart. match. the
tie Bee" and
Well. our bicycle will accompany us
on the honeymoon even though IL be as
excess baggage.
Profitable Inves nlent.
II, a.