The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-04-23
LOVE ON WHEELS.
BY JOHN wIcKLIFFE GRAY.
Would she come to-day?

lnNailu Chair u canine every Feih-
Gle that appeared from the uptown
horizon. lie was seated in the big
bay window that looked out over the
trees and meadows and winding roads
and paths Of the park, Now and then
the hight June breeze waited across
the street the prattle OF half a dozen
children at play on the ereensward
nearest whore the invalid sat. To the
philosophic and the speculative, 1t was
an ideal spot to study human nature as
We find 1t 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 1t 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 or
south until they were gone, to give
place to others.
There was a look of eagerness on the
lnvalid's face as he glanced at his
watch for the fifth time within the half
hour. 1t lacked but five minutes now
of the time when thes Bicycle Girl, as
he chose to call her, would pass
through the entrance of the park al
most opposite.
Il think he might take a bit mora
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 me-
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 Off
suddenly and turned his eyes to tho
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 anl-was It a
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.
Il think III get out my bicycle in q
day or So" he continued, afer the iu-
terruption.
"A good idea, but, mind you, not too
much at first. Take 1t easy, md 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,
Ell, Doc?' said the invalid, with a
smile.
Yes, pleasure Is half the cure, with
exercise or medicine" he answered.
1t 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,t
put in condition.
All, but 1t was glorious to have even
q 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
1t wound in and out like a snake,
crossed a little bridge and then
wormed its way around the hill. 1t
needed only a companion to make the
day and his enjoyment perfect. And
naturally he reverted 10 the Bicycle
Girl who crossed into the park every
morning.
He had not seen her since that day
when DR.. McHae was in the room, ana
now, three days after, in desperation
and growing fear that he would not sea
her again. he had come out alone.
Suddenly, out of a by-path, the girl
Of hts thoughts darted. There was a
simultaneous twist Of front wheels
away from each other TO avoid a col
lision. In a moment they were con.
templating each other, with q foot ci
each on the ground and their handle
bars touching.
There was a simultaneous laugh.
Pardon me-" he said, removing his
cap.
There's nothing to pardon" she
said, smilingly, as both wheels were
righted. John knew instinctively that
she would smile like that.
Il see | have bent several spokes,"
said Joan. 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" he
asked.
Certainly, Mr.. Haworth," she an
swered,
"You know my name?" he ex-
claimed, delighted as well as surprised
at the turn of affairs.
Eyes, / was at college with your sis
ter. And | want to thank you for a
beautiful silk shawl you sent me,
though we have never met. | am JOS
ephine Randall" A scarcely p~erceptible
color mounted to her cheek as she ex-
tended her hand. John remembered,
now the shawl he had placed in the
homeward- bound box Of curios for his
sisters chum, Miss Randall, who was
frequently mentioned in the letters he
had received on the other side Of the
world.
Both myself and the shawl are hon
ored." he exclaimed, with warmth.
"We would have met before perhaps,
had your sister been at home" Miss
Randall went on.
"Now that we have met, may not we