Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-11-03
BEND IN ROAD
BY p. w. HART,


mana stretched the broad river, with
its swiftly gliding waters dancing and
ripping in the clear sunlight. Upon
either shore, and spreading well about.
was lusty patch of woodland. The
mocadamizcd road made u sharp turn
at this point, and. crossing side.
walled culvert disappeared among the
trees. A few steps beyond the cul.
vert. and somewhat hidden from the
roadway by n 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. n wrctched horse,
OF dirty-whitc hue. with bones pro-
truding so far that they well.nigh
pierced his skin. A poor. miserable,
cast out, scarecrow of horse. At.
tachcd to him by dilapidated set Of
harness, profusely mendcd with pieces
of cord rope and carpet, was an ex-
press wagon of uncertain age. The
reins were wound carclessly about n
treebranch stuck through n hole In
the bottom Of the wagon. The seat
was unoccupicd. Tn the rear part OF
the vehicle could he seen a pile Of
rags. bones. old metal. and u few old
bottles. From somewhere among this
mess protrudcd 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 trndged onward.
Over the culvert bridge went the out
ut. In II few moments horse, boots.
junk heap and wagon had passed out
of sight around the bend. Everything
was as 1t had been before. with the ex-
ception Of n small piece of rusty wire
lying IN the middle of the roadway.
The wagons jolt had accomplished
this slight change.
No sound hcralded the next per.
forinance. A young lady on bicycle
came suddenly into view. The ma
chimes wcll.ndjusted hearing moved
without even u murmur. The nickel
parts flashed and glistened In the sun.
The booted feet If the rider went
around like tread-mill mice. She was
travelling In u good speed. Suddenly
Observation-Disclosures" sounded the
rear wheel. Quick MS u flash she dis.
mounted and came to an abrupt halt.
She bent eagerly over the machine to
see what could he at fault. II did not
take very long to discover. A piece
Of rusty wire protruded nm inch or
more from the rubber tire. Grasp'ng
hold of II firmly with one tiny gloved
hand she pulled hard upon It. The
wire came out. With n great gasp the
tire brcnthrd It's last--at least for the
time being.
The young lady leaned her disabled
wheel against the culvert's Sidewalk,
and stood with her back to the road
way, gazing upon the tlnttcned tire rue
fully.
"Pshnw." calculated the young lady.
"Scycn miles from home and rear tire
puncturrd. IT I was n man I would
swcnr u blue streak :"
"Whir.r-r-r!" Along came another cy.
clIst. A man this time, and sure.
enough scorchsr. But fast rs he was
going his quick eye noted the limp tire,
and the almost equally linped figure
of the young lady standing with her
back to him.
"May he Of any assistance? | have
n repair kit with" he began, politely
lifting his cap.
The girl spun around on her heels
and looked Mt him.
II was then thnt he came To m ab.
rupt pnusc.
There WIS n silence Of almost n full
minute rs they g0zed steadily into one
anothcr'a eyes. Perhaps "glnred" would
be hotter word. But they said moth.
Ing for this space.
IL beg your pardon; ! didn't know
II was" began the man coldly.
"N0 explanations are necessary, SIR
replied the young woman.
The accents Of her voice somehow
seemed to embolden him for he hesi-
tated no longer, hut began to ransack
the tool bag Of his machine.
"NIay ask what you intend doing?"
demanded the girl with some asperity.
"Going to fix that puncture so that
you can ride home, ut any rate" he re-
piled, calmly unwlndlng n long piece
Of tire tape.
"No you're not"
Eyes, ! am"
"You're not"
~ am" The man actually com
menced to smile mt her persistent dis.
dain.
~ shall call for help II you con.
tlnue."
"Well, do so IL you wish. The road
Is n lonely one. Probably nobody will
hear you. First time l ever heard
young lady summOning assistance to
prevent n man from repairing break
down Of her bicycle"
The girl turned away to prevent
him seeing the coming tears. The man
kept on with his plugging and wrap
ping. when this was completed he at
tached his hand pump and the tire
quickly resumed its original round
ness.
"Thcrc You are, Mar-excuse me.
er-Miss-" he began bitterly.
''Thnnk you. Fred" she murmured,
turning toward him with n suspicious
brightness In her eyes.
The man made a hurried forward
movement took the Young lady I'm his