The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-04-01
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Would she como to-dayf

| 3Y JOHN w1cxLm11SaRAx.. .
| Would she como to-dayfS -
| John Haworth leaned back In hi
tnvalid's chair and scanned every vehi
Gle that appeared from the uptown
horizon. He was seated in the Bit
bay window that looked out over thu
trees and meadows and winding roads
and paths of the park. Now and thef
the light June breeze waited acros:
the street the prattleE of half dozen
children at play on the greensware
nearest where the invalid sat. To thu
philosophic and tho speculative, it wa!
an ideal spot to study human nature a
we find 1t on the sidewalk-the lights
and shadows Of the past shining diml!
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 be
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 o.
south until they were gone, to give
place to others.
There was look Of eaEerness on the
invalid's face as he glanced at his
watch for the fifth time within the hall
hour. It lacked but hve minutes now
of the time when the 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 more
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 nc
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. l think" he broke of
suddenly and turned his eyes to the
street.
Yes. there she was. The same nae-
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 and-was it q
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 long fever had stolen.
II think I'll get out my bicycle in q
day or So" he continued, afer the in
terruption.
"A good idea, but, mind you. not too
much at first. Take it easy, and 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,
eh, Doc?" said the invalid, with a
smile.
Eyes, pleasure is half the cure, with
exercise or medicine" he answered.
1t was three days later. that Johns
bicycle, the trusted servant of othe:
days. was brought forth from the at
tic and, with the help of the porter,
put in condition.
All. but it was glorious to have even
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
it wound in and out like a snake
crossed a little bridge and then
wormed its way around the hill. it
needed only 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.. McRae was in the room. and
now, three days after, in desperation
and growing fear that he would not see
her again, he had come out alone.
Suddenly, out of a by-path, the girl
of his thoughts darted. There was a
simultaneous twist Of front wheels
away from each other to avoid a COL
lision. In moment they were con.
templating each other. with q foot 81
each on t4e ground and their handle
bars touching.
There was 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 tina:
she would smile like that.
Il see have bent several spokes,"
said Joun. II suppose might as well
straighten them now," he added.
John took out his kit. only to find
his wrench missing.
May I borrow your wrench?" he
asked.
Certainly. Mr.. Haworth," she an
swered.