St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-04-30
LOVE ON WHEELS.
BIZ JOHN w1cKL1FFE GRAY.
Would she come to-day?

| AASdllu CLINT ana scanned every VEN
Gle that appeared from the uptown
horizon. He was seated in the edl
bay window that looked out over thu
trees and meadows and winding roads
and paths OF the park Now and ther
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 the
philosophic and the speculative, it wa
an ideal spot to study human nature a.
| we find it 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 it had
been the same. Before that time he
had helped to pass the tedious hours
by watching the faces just below him
on the street from the time they came
into good view four doors north OF
south until they were gone, to give
place to others.
There was look of eagerness on the
invalid's face as he glanced at his
watch for the fifth time within the halt
hour. It lacked but five minutes now
OF the time when the Bicycle Girl. az
he chose to call her, would pass
through the entrance Of the park ale
most opposite.
Il think he might take q bit more
exercise, walking in the park. for in-
stance, in the next day or So" John
turned to see his mother and DR.. Nc
Rae. the family physician. enter the
room. There will be no further NO
cessity for my services. / think. How
does that sound, John?" he added
cheerily.
Almost as good as the sight Of
home after two years in the Philip
pines. Doc. think" he broke on
suddenly and turned his eyes to the
street.
Yes, there she was. The same nat
ty, tailor-made riding skirt and jacket:
the same fluffy, dark hair that refused
to be kept under the jauntiest of little
caps.
The girl glanced up afd-was 1t .
bow? Or had she merely turned her
head to guide her wheel into the park
driveway. Who was she? he wondered,
as he had scores of times before In
those two weeks he had been sitting
by the window slowly regaining the
health that a long fever had stolen.
I think I'll get out my bicycle in .
day or So" he continued, afer the In
terruption.
"A good idea, but, mind you, not too
much at first. Take 1t easy, and the ex-
erctse will be of as much benefit az
double the amount Of indoor labor
with dumb bells" answered the doctor.
"a case Of pleasure and medicine,
Ell. DocT said the invalid. with 3
smile.
Yes. pleasure is half the cure, with
exercise or medicine" he answered.
It was three days later that Johns
bicycle, the trusted servant Of other
days. was brought forth from the at
tic and. with the help Of the porter,
put in condition.
All, but 1t was glorious to have even
. little strength to pedal. thought John,
as he took his first ride through the
park. He was on the bicycle path
that ran down among the alders, where
it wound in and out like snake.
crossed little bridge and then
wormed its way around the hill. Il
needed only companion to make the
day and his enjoyment perfect. And
he reverted to the Bicycle
Girl who crossed into the park every
He 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 q
twist Of front wheels
away from each other to avoid q COLI
lision. In moment they were con.
each other, with 4 foot Of
each on the ground and their handle
bars touching.
There was simultaneous laugh,
Pardon me-" he said, removing his
cap.
There's nothing to pardon" she
Iaid. smilingly, as both wheels were
righted. John knew instinctively that
The would smile like that.
II see I have bent several spokes,"
yaid Jonn. 81 suppose might % well
them now" he added.
John took out his kit only to ind
his wrench missing.
MAY / borrow your wrench?" hs
asked.
Certainly. Mr.. Haworth." she an
,wered.
"You know my manner" he ex-
delighted as well as surprised
It the turn Of affairs.
eyes, l was at college with your sis
er. And want to thank you for q
beautiful silk shawl you sent me,
.hough we have never met / am Jos
.phine Randall" A scarcely perceptible
.olor mounted to her cheek as she ex-
ended her hand. John remembered,
low. the shawl he had placed in the
bound box Of curios for his
listers chum. Miss Randall, who was
mentioned in the letters he
lad received on the other side Of the
world.
"Both myself and the shawl are hon
red" he exclaimed, with warmth.
eve would have met before perhaps,
lad your sister been at home," Miss
Randall went on.
seNow that we have met, may not we
lnish the ride together" he asked.