Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-10-18
BEND IN ROAD
BY p. w. HART.

1t was a pretty spot. Upon the one
hand stretched the broad river, with
It's swiftly gliding waters dancing and
ripping in the clear sunlight. Upon
either shore, and spreading well about,
was n lusty patch OF woodland. The
macadamiZed road made sharp turn
at this point, and, crossing a side
walled culvert, disappeared among the
trees. few steps beyond the cul-
vert, and somewhat hidden from the
roadway by a graceful clump Of shrub
berry, the kindly winds of heaven had
supplied an ideal rustic seat--a great
fallen tree trunk.
Presently the sharp clump, clump
and rattle of an approaching horse and
vehicle became audible. The equip
age came In sight from around the
corner. First of all, a wretched horse,
of dirty-white hue, with bones pro-
truding so far that they well-nlgh
pierced his skin. A poor, miserable,
/ cast out, scarecrow of a horse. At
tached to him by a dilapidated set of
harness, profusely mended with pieces
of cord, rope and carpet, was an ex-
press wagon of uncertain age. The
reins were wound carelessly about a
/ treebranch stuck through a hole In
the bottom of the wagon. The seat
was unoccupied. In the rear part of
| the vehicle could be seen a pile of
rags, bones, old metal, and few old
I 10
mess protruded two roughly shod hui
man feet. They belonged to the
driver and proprietor of the caravan.
He was thus sleeping while the pa
tient beast trudged onward.
Over the culvert bridge went the out
fit. In few moments horse, boots,
Junk heap and wagon had passed out
q sight around the bend. Everything
was as 1t had been before, with the ex-
| ception of a small piece of rusty wire
( lying In the middle Of the roadway.
The wagons Jolt had accomplished
this slight change.
No sound heralded the next per-
Torrance. A young lady on bicycle
came suddenly into view. The ma
chimes well-adjusted bearing moved
without even a murmur. The nickel
parts flashed and gllstened in the sun.
The booted feet of the rider went
around like treadsnlll mice. She was
travelling in good speed. Suddenly
"cllckety-cllckety-c sounded the
rear wheel. Quick as a flash she dis
I 70 OH N
She bent eagerly over the machine to
| see what could be at fault. 1t did not
! take very long to discover piece
of rusty wire protruded an inch or
| more from the rubber tire. Grasping
hold of 1t firmly with one tiny gloved
| hand she pulled hard upon 1t. The
wire came out. With a great gasp the
/ tire breathed its Iast-at least for the
| tame being.
| "Pshaw % calculated the young lady.
"Seven miles from home and rear tire
punctured. If / was man / would
swear Il blue streak"
"Whir-r-r-rp Along came another cy-
clist. A man this time, and a sure
enough scorcher. But fast az he was
going his quick eye noted the limp tire,
and the almost equally limped figure
of the young lady standing with her
back to him.
MAY be of any assistance? / have
a repair kit with" he began, politely
lifting his cap.
The girl spun around on her heels
and looked at him.
1t was then that he came to an alb
rupt pause.
81 beg your pardon; didn't know
1t was" began the man coldly.
mo explanations are necessary, sir"
replied the young woman.
The accents of her voice somehow
seemed to embolden him for he hesl-
tated no longer, but began TO ransack
the tool bag of his machine.
MAY | ask what you intend doing7"
demanded the girl with some asperity.
"Golng TO fix that puncture so that
you can ride home, at any rate" he re-
piled. calmly unwinding long piece
Of tire tape.
NO you IL uul.
Eyes, l am"
you're not"
az am" The man actually COM
menced to smile at her persistent dis
dain.
Il shall call for help If you con-
I tinue."
well do so If you wish. The road
= Is lonely one. Probably nobody VIII
4 hear you. First time l ever heard a
young lady summoning assistance TO
/ prevent man from repairing break
/ down Of her bicycle"
The girl turned away to prevent
/ him seeing the coming tears.
There you are, Mar--excuse me-
! er-MiSs--" he began bitterly.
THANK you. Fred" she murmured,
turning toward him with a suspicious
/ brightness in her eyes.
The man made hurried forward
/ movement. took the young lady in HIS
81 IL