Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-05-08

ted riding alone, and felt perfectly GER
tain that the roads were as bad as the
scenery VAS hideous; shes- dragged 1t
out Of the coal cellar In which her
aunt had ordered II to be buried.
But OH the third ride, the monotony
was unpleasantly broken by large
puncture In the back tire; ten miles
from home. in perfectly unknown
road, not soul In sight, and with the
certain knowledge that she had left the
repairing outfit at home!
There was nothing to do but to plod
YEARLY on till she came to somebody or
something, and she had tramped at
least two miles Of the dusty road be-
fore help came In sight.
1t was not very promising looking
place. A small one-storied wooden
building, with a wheel hung over the
door and placard over the gate: Obi
cycle repairs promptly executed"
The man went on with his task, with
out raising his head. Margaret was
piQued to notice that he was much less
anxious to talk to her than she to talk
to him. could you tell me any pretty
rides about here?" she said desperate
~; "I've nothing TO do but ride-and
l am SO tired of all these horrid bleak
roads. should like pretty ride, Just
for once"
He stopped for a minute and
thought.
"There is little old village about
ten miles from the crossroads" he said.
which might be called interesting and
with a stretch Of Imagination, even
pretty. Some big man, who WINS n
friend of Hampden's, was buried there
/ believe, and there Is an old church
with square tower"
(which is the best way to get to IT ?p
she asked; land what is the nama Of
it2"
/ ut is called Mer1cet, but l hardly
know how to explain the way. PERHAPS
i could show you on the map"
He went across the room, took his
tourists map from shelf of books in
the corner, and gave 1t to her.
She spread 1t open OH her knee, fore.
seeing that he would be obliged to
kneel beside her to explain. Then the
young man saw that she Intended TO
condescend to friendliness, and he fold
himself that there was no reason for
him to remember that he was a Young
man in shop and that the situation
was certainly a pleasant one for him.
In vain he pointed out the right way,
over and over. again-she only shook
her head sadly.
Its no use," she sighed. IT am
afraid you will think me terribly stu
pid, but never could understand ell
Their maps or railway guides. 1 am
afraid shall have to give 1t up"
Then the bicycle member looked up.
Margaret smiled. II don't care IL l
am forward" she said to herself.
Somebody must improve our acquaint-
ance-and he certainly won't"
But at her smile he grew suddenly
holder.
do you always ride alone7" he
asked. W
Margaret sighed. 81 have no one else
to ride with" She hated herself for
saying 1t, and waited for his response,
knowing that If 1t was what she feared
she had only herself to blame, and yet
half hoping that her fears would be
justified
There was only one thing for him to
say, and he said 1t, almost certain Of a
rebuff, yet feeling that If she gave It,
she had certainly not played fair.
II wish you would let me show you
the way" he said, and Margaret gasp,
ed. She turned over the leaves of
Omar's Khayyam nervously, and for a
minute she did not answer. The book
opened at the ayleaf, and half uncon-