The Worthington advance., 1904-05-13
!. THE b AMER. N


The wind was groaning incessantly.
Now and then 1t grew to a piercing
shrek, as it whirled snow under the
caves and in the corners OF the big bay
window. It laid an Icy grasp ON the
frames and shook them angrily, en-
viously, because it could not enter and
destroy the scene of comfort within.
She was q Jewel of landlady who,
would keep the fire burning for him so
long, Herbert mused. ITO keep the
chill out" Mrs. Williams had told him
once, and his words of thanks did not
fully convey his gratitude for her
mothering him. :;
He lighted his redolent briarwood
pipe, pulled the big leathern chair be-
fore the fender, leaned back In its
depths and the luxurious folds OF his
lounging robe. His feet perched ON
the fender. for the ffth time since the
Office closed that afternoon, he pulled
out dainty little blue linen envelope.
He read his own name and address
two or three times before he took out
the sheets within.
Round and Arm. and-just like Mil
dred," he mused.
He spread out the sheets on his knee
and read:
Dear Herbert-We are having =
glorious time trying to forget the snow
and ice up north. The weather is per-
feet, except for an occasional misty
day, and outdoor amusements are the
rule with everybody.
Il am glad to know that business
will soon permit you to take vaca-
ton. Are you thinking of coming
south? / know. you must be, though.
for there's hardly anywhere else to 60,
now that everything up there Is ice-''
and snow-bound.
What do you think of joining our
party here at Palm Beach? We will
remain here another week, when we
have planned an altogether original
tour of either Jamaica or San Domingo
on bicycles. All of us brought our
wheels from home, and these suggested
the trip. We have discarded the auto
mobile idea because two or three ma
chimes would be required for the nine
Of US, two in the crowd are Indifferent
chauffeurs, and because we are not
certain about the roads down there.
Bicycles will go anywhere and we have
determined to use them, see the coun-
try thoroughly and get healthy trop-
ical tan.
''Wire me if you can come. And If
you can, be sure to bring your bicycle
It will be indispensable to thorough
ly good time.
MARY begs to be remembered to
you. As ever, Mildred Halcomb."
Then:
"P. S.-Don't forget the bicycle"
The warm freight was having its
effect after coming in from the cold
outer air. He was drowsy. An invol-
untary yawn showed two fine rows of
teeth as he placed the letter on the
table.
He and lIildred had been chums
since childhood. They always cor
responded when one or the other was
away. And in the past few months
he had come to realize that he could
not live without her. There had been
no vows; but since as children they
had roamed the parks together on
their bright. new bicycles, they had
been conscious of a mutual exhilara-
ton and joxousness in one anothers
presence. Yes, bicycles, and the inti-
mate companionship they bring.
seemed strangely interviewer in their
lives.
"We'r go wheeling, wheeling, wheeling
Down the misunderstanding pike;
Hearts affecting, feeling, feeling,
All the JOY that's in a bike"
He had heard the doggerel parody Of
popular song somewhere, and the
lines continued to repeat themselves in
drowsy fashion:
well go wheeling. wheeling, wheel"
His pipe fell from nerveless fingers.
One foot slipped from the fender.
He and Mildred were resting on the
sod beneath towering palm tree. Not
far off several people of their party
were laughing and talking together.
He saw the surf come rolling in not 20
yards away dwindlfng from mighty
waves to a smooth, even flow as they
reached the higher beach. Beside
them were their bicycles. Cries Of
strange birds were heard, and a bright
plumaged fellow few over their heads
and fluttered away inland.
How beautiful Mildred was! She was
looking straight into his eyes. And In
the big gray orbs he saw her soul
shining there. It was shining for him,
all for him! He knew it, and that was
enough. =,
"You are mine," he was saying. "All
these years have loved you, and
waited for you. And now we must
part no more. Your life shall be my
life, and mine shall be yours"
Out of the distance. he heard the
chime of bells. One-two-three-fo
still 1t rang.
The sleeper awoke with start. The
clock claimed his attention first, for it
was striking II. He rose quickly, and
as he did so telegraph blank on the
table caught his eye.