The N. S. Bicycle. 57

“You have evidently made a good choice. But,
Gordon,” said she, ‘what are those two letters
‘N.S.’ engraved on the handle? What do they
mean ?”’

“Why,” said Gordon, ‘I don’t know. Per-
haps they are the initials of the maker, but (hanging
his head shamefacedly) I really did not see them
before, or I should surely have asked, as you bade
me. But, Mamma, I will ride down at once to the
shop on my new machine and ask the man.”

“Very well,” said his mother, “but be quick,
dear, for your supper will be ready before long.”

So off went Gordon, his little heart swelling
with pride. He rode well, having ridden a good
deal before, but never on such a beautiful machine,
so light, yet so strong. “And it is mzne, my
very own,” he shouted in great delight. Soon
he came to the shop, and carefully guiding his
machine to the sidewalk, tried to go more slowly,
when to his Aorror he found he could not! The
wheels refused to stop. Round and round they
went, faster than ever, and poor Gordon was carried
by the shop in spite of himself! On and on he went,