Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-03-20

let that be final answer also. In that
case never mention the subject to me
again"
Captain Mndmarch gazed at the speaker
in an astonshment which was not devoid
of Indignation.
You can not know the meaning of
love- he said, finally, in a very low voice,
or it would be impossible for you to
rifle with me so. And you must under
stand that L do not wish your consent
without your heart"
Miss Richmond's eyes were still fixed
upon the ground, her face still pale as death.
- Don't misjudge me so harshly," she
said quietly. - Perhaps l do not love
you. If | was sure either tnat did or
did not. would not answer you so. But,
you know, | must give myself one chance, -
she added, again without knowing exactly
what she meant.
Not TO sa acrifce truth to precision, |
shall not attempt to dissect the emotions
tiat swayed Captain Mildmarch in twenty
directions as he considered this absurd and
amazing proposal He looked intently at
/ Miss Riehmond's face, while both sat
silent, and mocking his loveand wrath and
/ logic, it may have been, after all only the
+ faint blush which crept into her cheeks
at his continued gaze that decided him.
At all events, the silence was broken ab-
ruDtly BY these words
/ - 1t shall be as you please, said Capt.
Midmarch d. Have your own way" And
the sudden steely CLEAN in his gray eyes
showed that he meant her way should end
in his
She bent her head and lifted her bridle-
hand the horses went forward somewhat
more quickly than before, and in few min
utes they had reached the outskirts of the
field Of which Mss Richmond spoke.
An =" old straw field" Perfectly level,
devoid of timter in every part. it was one
vide aud yellow and waving circu Inference
of the peculiar selgy growth that testified
to its utter sterillty, but which, shining IN
the autumn sun, aud moving graceful Iy
with low crisp sounds in the autumn wini,
made this barren island in the timber sea
spot OF singular beauty. 1t was no;
enclosed and the forest road bisected into
nearly equal parts.
BY the tine they had reached the place
the two actors in this rather peculiar com
ely were apparently perfectly cool, and
only intent upon the business which brought
them Tney paused just within the Dor
ders of the ed, and Miss Richmond dis
mounted without assistance. OOe must
be careful when one rides a race, you
+ know she said smilingIy, and proceeded
20 examine very critically her horses
girths. etc.-a precaution Of which she
wa quite capable Captain Mildnarch
did the same thing on his own part, and
then reviewed her work with extreme par
ticuIarity. Walking then to a c.ump OF
low ccdars Just with n the wood, he select
ed "a fat sprig, declining several more
graceful sprays, because he noticed that
their slender pointed tips would give bin
some slight advantage. This he handed
to Miss R.chnlond, and she, with equal
gravity, placed it in her belt on the right
SIDE
" Going at the rate We will be riding,
she said, simply, there might be some
danger if l put it on the left. Your
spurs might catch in my habit. Neither
seemed 10 the least conscious of the posi-
bly, ludicrous side of these solemn prepa-
rations, for both were grave, and one ex-
tremely pale. Captain MiIdmarch re-
marked, as he lifted Miss Richmond again
into the saddle that II she thought them
unfair, he would remove his rowels. At
that Miss Richmond smiled, and, lifting
her dress a little, displayed her small foot |
graced by a silver spur, which. despite its
dainty proportions was sharp and meant
for service. Captain Midmarch bowed
and mounted his horse.
What advance am | to have asked
Miss Richmond, throwing her eyes observ-
antly around the field.
.' [ can not allow YOU more than ten |
yards, Captain Mjdmarch answered, with !
dec S on. Take your position yonder, oppo- !
site that reddish sweet gum Tree; l will |
remain where | am. You can see without
turning your head, and when | drop my /
handk kerchief we will start. As you have |
put the cedar on your right side, you will /
have a double advantage-tO take 1t, | .
must ride outside
Without replying, Miss Richmond bent
her head, and moved forward to the place
indicated and in a moment more the
handkerchief had futtered to the ground,
and this strange contest had begun.
Both were well mounted, both rode well,
and both were in earnest. The horses
q
determination of their riders. But shot
ly, urged on by whip and spur, the fore
most, excited by the Gathering of swift
feet behind, the hindmost by the flying /
figure in front, their outstretched necks
and steady, long stride, their straining
muscles and eyes of fire, made magnif-
cent spectacle. which had only solitude for
a witness, as around the utmost verge of
the waving golden field they few at pace
that had hardly the difference of stroke.
Once around, Captain MIldmarch had
lessened the ifference between them yard
or two, but not enough to promise victory.
A CLEAN like sword gleam shone in his
eyes, his face was pale, his lips compressed.
As for Miss Richmond, the pace, the ex-
citement, the hope of triumph-whose cost
she could not measure then-had lit her
countenance gloriously, and her beauty was
dazzling Her lips were parted in ra-
di. ut smile, her cheeks aglow, her eyes
sh ming like stars of fire. Her slender
& yure, 1.-THE and straight as pine sapling,
swayed slightly with the motions of her
e wing horse, her bride hand lay on his
neck like thistle down, her whip hand
urged him on, her dainty foot spared no
stroke of the spur that had long since
ceased to be needed. But they were not
half way round again before Captain
NIildmarch had gained perceptibly, and
throwing a backward glance of interroga-
tion, she saw this, and saw him, not four
yards behind her, leaning far forward in
the saddle, his face white. his teeth cinched
aud lips set close, and his rowes bringing
the blood at every stroke, his angry horse
clearing the ground with frightful rush
that meant victory