The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1904-03-11
A BICYCLE PROPOSAL
BY JOHN wicKLIrFE GRAY.

untl that hummer I had never be
iieved that | was a iimid man. Bat the
happenings Of a few weeks led me 10
the conclusion that | had my share and
more.
a girl with blue eyes did 1t. As In
most cases where a man has found HIM
self face TO face with himself. It was q
woman who held the mirror.
II 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 assailcd me as TO the probable re-
ccption Of a proposal. and my.now-born
umldity. ] could never gather together
sufficient courage at the proper time TO
give expression to the thoughts that kept
me awake NJ night. | carefully formu-
lated plan after plan to rid my mind OF
It's burden, but one after another. they
came To naught through my disgusting
shyness-cOwarcice. II you will. | am
half inclined TO believe that Beatrice
know my condition all the time. hut
she had q Keen sense OF humur. and I
dreaded that HllyCry laughter more than
n whole regiment OF regulars. She could
grow serious I'm a moment. and n wn,
this mood I liked best. nut. until that
sunny day. when my bicycle helped mo
through. had always mlrFcd the point.
II lacked but four daya OF my departure
from tho springs, aud ! knew to delay
might mean to fail altogether.
Delay md defeat worc the words that
huinmod through my hrnln like n snrnct-
81 wheel as we spun down the lane that
morning. We were out ancr nm carly
breakfast. aud on that short journey
a-whcol had determined Ia throw all
my chances In the balance and and their
intrinsic worth. Just how ! was Cuinr
To begin I had not determined. and |
thought that for once would leave tho
matter open for the seizure of t,c FIRST
opportunity.
The morning air wns crisp and cool.
u fohdside lowers seemed nodding ne
u '"'e'' soou morning In tho light
49,. NOW y tb9n from the trees
oame ,ne can OF a Dire. aad, making n
n,.n y INV s,reak IN the mr. . err"
e. 'na an hls nIsh, % n lonely tree
n - aims w WIS ""o'
anu ; hau shid httIe until we
''a.n'u tue oroad PIKE.
"'n' 10 race! she called bnok In
NV ',om het point OF vantage n few
rcnElnS "h'au o ! knew what that
"'an', n'e was inc better rider. for
'nn.'au oi TAXING a conrne OF indoor
'".S'" ,"''u,e she had ndop'ed golf.
Nn"'s ahu = nic|ele as tho most enjoy
wv, "''"oo OF obtaining exercise and
"
Trying to tease" ! said. But 10
aneau, ~ DO my best Want to bet
hhylhlngv
40 NOT "hoh ! nm certain OF tho re-
A".'' sue aushed'
49, Erlhhod appreciation and asked:
'iuM 'nT
Ih' TWO mile post she cried. and
We "'r' on
bee spflnted. and = o did I. But the
distance between MS remained about the
anne ana prccludcd conversation. even
hhd moi the pace attained the same end.
Soon the sprOckota were singing n
steady song 10 pebbles that fpun hacl. |
ward from the rubber tires. We were
running at 20 miles an hour down the
best piece Of road In the section.
| settled 10 n sicndy spsod mn, anita
my best. and Bec dld no samc ~,a,lro
strength for the last half mile. rho
wind whistled n merry tune ia tho limo
We lopt with our Medals 4 cry,y -,
partridgrs fled VITA sharp chlrps at our
whlrlwind advance. ! felt and noticed
little else beside the trim Hgurc. with
flying wisps of brovn hnIr a., ,h..J