Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-03-30
LOVE ON WHEELS.
BY JOHN wIcKL1FFE GRAY.
Would she come to-day?

anvalid's chair and scanned every vehi-
Gle that appeared from the uptown
horizon. He was seated in the Ois
Day window that looked out over the
trees and meadows and winding roads
and paths of the park. Now and then
the light June breeze waited across
the street the prattle OF half dozen
children at play on The greensward
nearest where the invalid sat To tho
philosophic and the speculative. it was
an Ideal spot to study human nature as
We nnd II on the sidewalk-the lights
and shadows OF the past shining dimly
through the features of those who
hurry by.
But the speculation OF John Ha-
worth ran in another direction And
every morning for two weeks il had
oeen the same. Before that time he
mad helped to pass the tedious hours
py watching the faces Just below him
on the street from the time they came
INTO good view four doors north or
soutn until they were gone. to give
place TO others.
mere was look of eagerness on the
lnValids face as he glanced at his
watch Tor the fifth time within the half
hour. Ii lacked but FIVE minutes now
OF the time when the Bicycle Girl. as
ne chose To call her. would pass
through the entrance OF the park al
most opposite.
L think he might take n bit mora
exercise, walking in the park. for in
stance. in the next day or so" J,ohu
A TO
hae' the family physician. enter tbs
room. There will be no further ne
cessity for my services. | think. How
does that sound, John?" he added.
cheerily.
Almost as good as the sight of
nome after two years in the Philip
pines. Doc. | think" he broke of
suddenly and turned his eyes To the
street
Yes. there she was. The same nat
", tailor-made riding skirt and jacket:
the same iluffy. dark hair that refused
TO be kept under the jauntiest OF little
caps.
Inc girl glanced up and-was II a
DOW! Or had she merely turned her
head TO guide her wheel into the park
driveway. Who was she? he wondered.
as ne had scores of times before in
those two weeks he had been sitting
ny the window slowly regaining the
health that long fever had stolen.
mink III get out my bicycle in q
day or So he continued, afer the in
terruption.
"A good idea. but. mind you, not too
much at first. Take it easy. and the ex-
ercise Will be of as much benefit as
double the amount OF indoor labor
with dumb bells" answered the doctor.
A case of pleasure and medicine.
en-. Doc? said the invalid. with
smile.
Yes. pleasure is half the cure. with
exercise or medicine" he answered.
III was three days later that Johns
bicycle. the trusted servant of other
days, was brought forth from the Al
Tic and with the help of the porter,
put in condition.
An. but 1t was glorious to have even
little strength to pedal, thought John
as he took mis- first ride through the
park. He was on the bicycle path
'hat ran down among the alders. where
II wound in and out like snake
crossed a little bridge and then
"ormed It's way around the hill. IL
needed only companion to make the
day and his enjoyment perfect. And
naturally he reverted 10 the Bicycle
Girl who crossed into the park every
morning.
lie had not seen her since that day
when DR.. McRae was in the room. and
now. three days after, in desperation
and growing fear that he would not see
her again, he had come out alone.
Suddenly, out OF by-path, the girl
OF his thoughts darted There was a
simultaneous twist OF front wheels
away from each other to avoid a coll
lision. In a moment they were con.
templating each other. with a foot Of
each on the ground and their handle
bars touching.
There was simultaneous laugh.
Pardon me-" he said, removing bis
cap.
There's nothing to pardon" she
said, smilingly. as both wheels were
righted. John knew instlnctively that
she would smile like that.
II see l have bent several spokes."
said Jonn. 81 suppose | might as well
straighten them now" he added.
John took out his kit, only to find
his wrench missing.
May | borrow your wrench" bs
asked
Certainly, Mr.. Haworth." she an.
swered.
you know my Dame?" he ex-
claimed delighted as well as surprised
at the turn of affairs.
Yes. | was at college with your sis
ter. And want to thank you for
beautiful silk shawl you sent me.
though we have never met. am los
ephine Randall" A scarcely perceptibls
color mounted to her cheek as she ex-
tended her hand John remembered