Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-06

had been more numerous THAN usual, and
! the management more liberal. whis-
per had reached them that he thought of
leaving, and they were doing their ut
most to bind him so as to secure him for
another season.
He had left Annie early to make the
necessary preparatiOns-but met her
again as soon as he dressed-dressed in
the most magnificent garments he had
ever worn. and her gift-the work of her
own hands-and drawing aside as much
as possible they talked gayly, much more
! than was customary for her to do, for she
appeared to have forgotten all fear for
his safety.
Il feel. darling" she whispered, "that
tonight is to be the grandest triumph of
your life
And the last"
"The last" appeared to be echoed bv
a stern voice, and they turned hastily
around, but could discover no one near.
and, believing their ears had deceived
/ them, she continued:
How 1 shall glory in your success,
Fred"
And I in outdoing myself for your
| dear sake"
Besides, it is so much pleasure for
/ one to know that it is for the last time"
The very last" was whispered to
their ears as if by the lips Of the wind
that found its way through the little
rents in the canvas.
Both started more fitfully than they
had done before, and released the hands
they had been pressing.
4 hOrse-one Of the finest in the stud
had been led out and was standing
near the curtain that concealed the rinG
and spectators, ready to make dashin@
entree. By its side, but the opposite one
to them a woman was standing, black
haired, brunette in complexion, with a
tall, supple figure and eyes that flashed
with almost more than human bright
ness. For Il single instant Annie caught
the expression OF her face, and saw the
line of sharp, white teeth that broke the
intense red of the full lips, and, drawing
back with shudder she could not re-
press, asked:
"Who is that, Fred?"
She is known by the name of the
Cuban Queen'-is the best woman rider
| ever saW-brave, fearless and dasIing."
Has she been with you all summer? )"
"Ges; but why2 Are you jealous?"
"No, but and she blushed under his
earnest chances.
We'll, he continued, with a smile.
you might have had reason if you had
been with us Certainly l might have
had her for q wife had l but given her the
slightest encouragement"
docs she love you?" and the voice Of
the girl was as low and sad as the beat
ing OF the waves upon the reaches of the
silver sand.
9 | believe she would have done so if
would have let her. But there was no
danger of that darling;" and he called
her attention to the beauty of the horse
The Cubaness had also been engaged in
conversation, though q very brief one
only consisting in asking one Of the rid
ers if that was the girl the traDezist was
to marry, and receiving an affirmative
answer. Then she hid her face-one
famed for its tragical beauty, but now
almost devilish with the spasm Of ieal-
Gus rage that distorted it-for moment
in the faring name of her steed, con
quered her emotion with powerful eff
fort, wreathed her lips into the studied
smile Of the artist, and stepping toward
Fred said in skilfully modulated
voice:
Let me congratulate you in advance
upon the success of your benefit"
And let me thank you for the kind
ness you have shown in the matter"
lie would have introduced her to
Annie, but the girl had turned modestIy
away, and SO he continued:
" You know that this night ends my
connection with the company. Be as
sured, however, that if, in the future,
can do anything to promote your success
~ h.r | will u
will feel free to call upon me-"
8 You are to be married." she asked,
without even Il word of thanks.
Yes. VIII YOU not come and dance
at my wedding?n
"Certalnly-When you are married.
He did not notice the emphasis on the
latter part OF the SentenCe-had no time
to do sO-for even as they were uttered
the bell summoned the fair rider, and she
leaped, unassisted, upon her horse and
dashed into the arena Then he called
Annie again to him and they took place
where they could see her speeding around
the circle, while the air rangwith plaudits.
And well it might; such matchless rid
ing had never before been seen-prOba-
bly, never would be again-and the horse
she rode, goaded far beyond its trained
anu NSuldl I'lCt,Idu anu ICdDCO do II Cl-
tirely unbroken
:, The devil is in that woman tonight"
said one groom to another.
4" Il s, and in the horse, too. [ never
saw either OF them so wild and never
knew her to ride with spur before"
" y spur" was echoed in astonish-
ment.
. Yes, | saw her get one of the ring
masters, and that She IS using it you can
tell by the fiery leaps Of the horse. He
never would stand such thing, and if
he doesn't break her neck he will his
own. By heaven. just look at her face.
Her eyes are flashing like balls Of fire
and her teeth are set hard believe she
Is drunk or crazy"
Pshaw ii is only her hot Spanish
blood. Something has gone wrong, you
may depend. But if she makes that leap
over the carriers with the horse running
at that mad rate she is gone No! She
is safe. never saw anything to match
it in all my life"
She was indeed safe, though she had
taken desperate chances sufficient to
break dozen necks, and as she
sprang lightly from her foaming horse a
flash oftriumph shot from her black eyes,
and scornfuliy disdaining the bouquets
that had been flung at her feet she rap
idly disappeared, leaving the clown to
appropriate and make merry over them.
Another act or two ivory tame after the