Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-03-11
A BICYCLE PROPOSAL
BY JOHN W1CKLIFFE GRAY.

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.
1t was the old story of scouting at o
until | met the one 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, I could never gather together
sufficient courage al the proper time to
give expression to the thoughts that kept
me awake at night. 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, II you will. | am
half inclined to believe that Beatrice
knew my condition all the time. But
she had a keen sense OF humor. and l
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 day, 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 al early
breakfast, and on that short journey
a-wheel | had determined to throw all
my chances in the balance and find their
intrinsic 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
n CHEEKY good morning in the light
breeze. Now and then from the trees
came the call OF a bird. and. making q
shiny black streak in the air. a crow
would bend his flight to a lonely tree
in the fields, calling to his mate.
Bee and I had said little until We
reached the broad pike.
IVAN to race" she called back to
me from her point OF vantage a few
lengths ahead. Now I knew what that
meant. Bee was the better rider, for
Instead Of taking n course OF indoor
physical culture she had adopted golf.
tennis and a bicycle as the most enjoy
able method OF obtaining exercise and
health.
Trying to tease" | said. But 60
ahead. I'll do my best. Want to bet
anything"
"NO, not when I am certain of the re-
suit" she laughed.
grinned appreciation and asked:
"How far?"
"The two mile post" she cried, and
we were of.
Bee sprinted. and so did I. But the
distance between us remained about tho
same, and precluded conversation. ever
had not the pace attained the same end
Soon the sprocketa were singing q
steady song to pebbles that spun back.
ward from the rubber tires. We were
running at 90 miles an hour down thu
best piece Of road in the section.
settled to a steady speed. not quite
my best, and Bee did the same, savinl
strength for the last half mile. TIL,
wind whistled n merry tune to the tim,
w kept with our pedals. A covey o
partridges fed with sharp chirps at on
whirlw!nd advance. felt and noticed
little else beside the trim figure, will
flying wisps of brown hair, just ahea,
of me,
/, OF a sudden Bee began to draw ahea'
, OF me.
put your heart into the game" sh
, called back to me. with her head hal
turned as she spoke. She was lauphinj
out of pure enjoyment of the exercise
, and perhaps my probable discontinue
My pride was nettled, and 1t must hay
increased my strength to a considerabl
degree. Soon | was close behind heI
, and with the wheels buzzing like ma,
things, | was even. One more squirt, an
by a tremendous effort | was ahead!
Get your hand in the game" Gale
i back, paraphrasing her own slang, M
!, heart and your hand" I added by tn
force OF an inspiration, "a match race!
The second mile post was not NOR
a than a hundred yards ahead. and | wa
beginning to believe ! should win.
had no time to look back, fearing a los
q Of my little gain.
q But neither was to have the victor,
n but surely. until it was even with IN
handle-bars. and as We arrived Oppt
site the post. we were side by side.
1t was a tie!
"You got your hand in" ! laughe