The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-26
BEND IN ROAD
BY p. w. HART.


1t was a pretty spot. Upon the one
hand stretched the broad river with
its swiftly gliding waters dancing and
ripping in the clear sunlight. Upon
either shore, and spreading well about,
was Iusty patch of woodland. The
macadamized road made a sharp turn
at this point, sand, crossing a side
walled culvert, disappeared among the
trees. A few steps beyond the cul-
vert, and somewhat hidden from the
roadway by 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, wretched horse,
Of dirty-white hue, with bones pro-
truding so far that they well-nigh
pierced his skin. A poor, miserable,
cast out, scarecrow Of a horse. At
u
harness, profusely mended with pieces
of cord, rope and carpet, was an ex-
press wagon Of uncertain age. The
reins were wound carelessly about
treebranch stuck through hole In
the bottom of the wagon. The seat
was unoccupied. In the rear part of
the vehicle could be seen pile Of
| rags, bones, old metal, and few old
| bottles. From somewhere among this
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
tent beast trudged onward.
Over the culvert bridge went the out
| fit. In a 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 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
/
| 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 tread-mill mice. She was
travelling in a good speed. Suddenly
"clickety- clickety-c sounded the
| rear wheel. Quick as a flash she dis
mounted and came to an abrupt halt.
She bent eagerly over the machine to
see what could be at fault. 1t did not
take very long to discover. A 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 great gasp the
tire breathed its last-at least for the
time being.
"Pshawl" CIRCULATED the young lady
"Seven miles from home and rear tire
punctured. If I was a man would
swear a blue streak!"
"Whir-r-r-rr" Along came another cy
clist. A man this time, and sure
enough scorcher But fast as 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 1 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.
st beg your pardon; I didn't knaN
1t was" began the man coldly.
'No explanations are necessary, SIR
replied the young woman.
The accents of her voice somehow
seemed to embolden him for he hest
tated no longer, but began to ransacl
the tool bag of his machine.
"May I ask what you intend doingg
demanded the girl with some asperity
"Going to fix that puncture so tina
you can ride home, at any rate" he re
piled, calmly unwinding long piec
Of tire tape.
mo you're not"
Eyes, I am"
4 you're not"
l "T am" The man actually com
menced to smile at her persistent dis
N dain.
trv LII Ill 9o~ holm if voT1 COR