In the midst of all this crude, unfinished land, the mere sight of a bicycle, bumping over the rubbly road, was a sufficient surprise; but my astonishment reached a climax when I saw, as it drew near, that it was ridden by a woman! One moment later I had burst into a wild cry, and rode forward to her hurriedly.

"Hilda!" I shouted aloud, in my excitement: "Hilda!" She stepped lightly from her pedals, as if it had been in the park: head erect and proud; eyes liquid, lustrous.

I dismounted, trembling, and stood beside her.

In the wild joy of the moment, for the first time in my life, I kissed her fervently.

Hilda took the kiss, unreproving.