The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1904-03-19
A BICYCLE PROPOSAL
BY JOHN w1oK11FFE GRAY.

lieved that was timid man. But the
happenings of few weeks led me to
the conclusion that had my share and
more.
A girl with blue eyes did It. AS In
most cases where man has found him
self face to face with himself, 1t was
woman who held the mirror.
1t was the old story of scouting at love
until met the Que girl, and then want
ed to 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. l carefully formu-
lated plan after plan to rid my mind OF
its burden, but one after another they
came to naught through my disgusting
shyness-cowardice, If you will. | am
half inclined to believe that Beatrice
knew my condition all the time. But
she had a keen sense Of humor, and
dreaded that silvery laughter more than
a whole regiment of regulars. She could
grow serious in a moment, and 1t was
this mood | liked best But, until that
sunny t.ay, when my bicycle helped me
through, had always missed the point.
1t lacked but four days of my departure
from the springs. and knew to delay
might mean to fail altogether
Delay and defeat were the words that
hummed through my brain like a sprock-
ct wheel as we spun down the lane that
morning. We were out after an early
breakfast, and on that short journey
a-wheel | had determined to throw all
my chances in the balance and find their
worth. Just how | was going
to begin | had not determined, and
thought that for once would leave the
matter open for the seizure of the first
opportunity.
The morning air was crisp and COOL
The roadside flowers seemed nodding us
a CHEEKY good morning in the light
breeze. Now and then from the trees
came the call of bird, and, making a
shiny black streak in the air, crow
would bend his flight to lonely tree
In the fields, calling to his mate.
Bee and l had said little until we
reached the broad pike.
want to racer" she called back to
me from her point of vantage a few
lengths ahead. Now knew what that
Bee was the better rider, for
instead of taking a course of indoor
physical culture she had adopted golf,
ennis and bicycle as the most enjoy
able method OF obtaining exercise and
health.
Trying to tease" said But go
ahead. I'll do my best. Want to bet |
anything?"
mo, not when am certain of the re-
suit" she laughed.
| grinned appreciation and asked:
How far?"
"The two mile post" she cried, and
we were off.
Bee sprinted, and so did /. But the
distance between us remained about the
same, and precluded conversation, even
lad not the pace attained the same end
Soon the sprockets were singing a
steady song TO pebbles that spun back
ward from the rubber tires. We were
'unning at ~ miles an hour down the
pest piece of road in the section.
l settled to a steady speed, not quite
ny best, and Bee did the same, saving
strength for the last half mile. The
Wind whistled merry tune to the time
10y mi IoIe
cartridges fled with sharp chirps at our
vhirlwind advance. l felt and noticed
title else beside the trim figure, with
lying wisps of brown hair, just ahead
# me.
OF sudden Bee began to draw ahead
# me,
Put your heart into the game" she
allied back to me, with her head half
urned as she spoke. She was laughing
ut of pure enjoyment of the exercise,
nd perhaps my probable discontinue.
ly pride was nettled, and it must have
increased my strength to considerable
egree. Soon I was close behind her.
nd with the wheels buzzing like mad
hings, was even. One more squirt, and
" tremendous effort | was ahead!
Get your hand in the game" called
Jack, paraphrasing her own slang my
cart and your hand" l added by the
orce of an inspiration, "a match race!"
The second mile post was not more
han hundred yards ahead, and was
eginning to believe l should win.
ad no time to look back, fearing a loss
f my little gain.
But neither was to have the victory,
Bees front wheel advanced slowly. :
ut surely, until it was even with my
andle-bars, and as we arrived oppo-
lite the post, we were side by side.
1t was tie!
"You got your hand in laughed
ater under the trees where we were
Gated.
YES" she agreed.
"And my whole heart was in it."
dde0, cautiously.
The blue eyes looked into mine and
eemed to read what was there. And
hen in the fear that my shyness would
eturn, l said quickly, incoherently:
your hand, my heart, match, the
e-Bee-" and
Well, our bicycle will accompany us
n the honeymoon, even though it be as