The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-21

''Please both go away" she murmurs,
brokenly. 'I can walk home just as
well alone by myself"
Silence.
This time it is a silence that Ralph
Curtis ends.
''That is no answer, Miss Sara"
"Right," states Walter Crosbie, with
stern emphasis. at is no answer"
T-I can't help it," laments Sara.
''Please go-both of you"
Suddenly fierce flash shoots from the
night-like eyes of Ralph.
"Let there be some decision, )" he cries,
addressing Walten "If Miss Prescott
will not make it herself, it is for US to
do So"
81 do not understand" replies Wal
ter.
Ralph draws near to him.
81 beg your pardon" he commences,
speaking to Sara; and then there fol-
lows between the two men an inaudible
whispered conference, which she, who
witnesses it, watches and wonders at.
The conference continues nearly five
minutes, and at last Ralph Curtis turns
toward Sara.
''AIiss Prescott, Mr.. Crosbie and
have formed a compact together. Do
you see where yonder road emerges from
those clumps of shrubbery ?"
"Yes," answers the puzzled girl, in
right puzzled tones.
"Very well. We desire you to wait
here. We will disappear. When you
next see either of us, it will be as he ad-
vances toward you, doubtless at fullest
running speed, along that same road.
One will in aH probability win the race
which We propose to run; but if it
proves a neck-and-neck race, then
then"
"Then ?" questions Sara, with tremb-
ling voice.
''Then," Walter Crosbie here breaks
, in, "you aUiU aUdLk home alone. Do you
quite understand, Miss Sara? Think,
for a moment, and I feel sure that
further explanation will be useless"
"I-I-have thought" quivers Sara,
f "and-and-I think-I am sure, indeed,
| that understand"
t every WE'LL" exclaims Walter. "Do
r you consent to such an arrangement,
f strange and wild as it seems Reflect
for moment before replying"
; Sara covers her face, impulsively,
S with both hands, and remains in this
/, attitude for a brief while. Then she
=, uncovers her face again, with an equa
: impulsiveness, and cries out, in tones
/ almost fierce from intense excitement
e 81 have reflected, and consent"
:. Sara is standing quite alone now, il
= the clear, perfect moonlight. ArOunC
t her gleam the shadowy lawns, broker
e with their great dusk masses of foliage
], Her eyes are intently fixed upon tina
O franOnant nf OnnOSita road which itj
skirting strawberries allow her to see
a She is listening listening with strained
9 anxious ear, with every nerve on the
t qIIj UiUe of expectancy.
s Presently there is distinct sound, a
s what seems a considerable distance, o
4 rapid, advancing feet. Sara's eyes fairly
dilate, and her head stretches itself for
s ward in the wild eagerness of her feel
ings.
It The steps come nearer, nearer-heavy
d decisive thuds of vigorous feet agains
It hard, unyielding gravel.
o And now, without moments warn
e ing, the steps cease; then there is
o mans wild, fierce cry; after that, wha
It seems a second of silence, and then tn
r dreadful, cracking, unmistakable SCUM
of pistol.
= Just for brief space Sara stands a
e though frozen into stone. Then sh
= rushes down the road, turns the corne
y made-so to speak-by the great shrub
J. berry clusters, and darts on, on, wit
fleetest speed. A long, quivering, terri
Je fled moan leaves her lips, as she pause
e at last by a dark, outstretched form.
n "Walter-Walter Crosbie! for God
IS sake, what has happened?"
Il No answer.
2, And then she sees the ghastly, uE
e turned face, and the long, CORY streau
" that oozes from its temples!
e Not two yards distant there is anothe
l. prone form. Sara staggers toward it.
Ralph Curtis swarthy face CLEAN
/. livid and CHASTITY in the pale moonlight
s. ''His fault" he gasps-''all his fault
y He stabbed me as l was passing hin
d Then 1 fired-not till then. God hel
2, you Poor Sara Poor Sara ~
Is These are the last words he eve
speaks. And so the race has been run
Y and so Death has won it.