The Osceola times., 1877-04-07

How unexpected, she laltefs; anu
then there is a silence among the trio,
which lasts until Walter Crosbie hastily
breaks it,
"Very unexpected" he exclaims
and yet, after ALL scarcely inoppoi
tune. | for one am glad it has happened.
1t gives me, at least, the opportunity OF
asking you in Mr.. Curtis presence, Miss
Sara, how much longer you desire this
absurd masquerade shall continue
With whom--to make n sort of epigram
out of the situation (while he laughs a
low, discordant laugh)-"do you wish
to walk home with, Mr.. Curtis or my
self?"
And then Ralph Curtis speaks
promptly:
81 echo Mr.. Crosbie's question -
Whe-eupon poor weak Sara burstsinto
tears.
"Pleasc go away" she murmrrs
brokenly. 81 can walk home just as
well alone by myself"
This time it is a silence that Ralph
Curtis ends.
nav ~ iiO dhSN'it sfiN' i'h'"'
Right" states Walter Crosbie, with
stern emphasis. 1T is no answer"
IL can't help it," laments Sara.
Please go-both OF you"
Suddenly fierce flash shoots from the
night-like eyes of Ralph.
"Iet there be some decision" he cries,
addressing Walter. "lf Miss Prescott
will not make it herself, it is for us to do
So"
81 don't understand" +" replies Walter.
Ralph draws near him.
81 beg your pardon" he commences,
speaking to Sara; and then there follows
between the two men an inaudible whis-
pered conference, which she, who wit
messed it, watches and wonders at. The
conference continues for nearly five min
utes; and at last Ralph Curtis turns to-
wards Sara.
Miss Prescott, Mr.. Crosbie and have
formed compact together DO you see
where yonder road emerges from these
clumps of shrubbery ?"
Yes answered the puzzled girl, in
right puzzled tones.
"Verv well. We desire you TO yait
here. We will disappear When you
next see either of us it will be as he adj
vances toward you, doubtless at fullest
speed along the race-course. One will in
all probability win the race which we pro-
pose to run, but if it proves a reck-and
neck race, then-then-"
"Then," Walter Crosbie here breaks
in, "you must walk home alone. Do you
quite understand Miss Sara? Think, for
a moment, and ] feel sure that further
explanation will be useless"
"1-l-have thought" quivers sara
"and-and-I think--I am sure, indeed
that understand"
Very well" exclaimed Walter. "Do
you consent to such an arrangement
strange and wild as it seems? Reflect for
a moment before replying"
Sara covers her face, impusively
with both hands, and remains in this
attitude for while. Then she covers
her face again with an equal impulsive-
ness, and cries out, in tones almost fierce
from intense excitement
81 have reflected, and consent"
sara is standing quite alone now, in
the clear, perfect moonlight. Around
her CLEAN the shadowy lawns, broken
with their great, dark masses of foliage.
Her eyes are fixed intently upon that
fragment of opposite road which its
skirting shrubbrics allow her to see She
is MISUNDERSTANDING with strained anx-
ious ear, and with every nerve on the
qm rice of expectancy.
Presently there was sound at what
seems considerable distance, of rapid,
advancing feet. Sara's eyes fairly diate,
and her head stretches itself forward in
the wild cagerness OF her feelings.
The steps come nearer, nearer-heavy
decisive thuds of vigorous feet against
hard unyielding gravel.
And now, without a moments warn.
ing, the steps cease. Then there is a
mans wild, fierce cry; after that, what
seems second silence and then the
cracking, unmistakable sound of pistol
Just for brief space sara stands as
though frozen into stone. Then she
rushes down the road, turns the corner
made-so to speak-by the great shrub
bery clusters, and darts on, on, with
fectest speed. A long, quivering, terri,
fed moan leaves her lips, as she pauSes
at last by dark, outstrctched form
"Walter-Walter Crosbie! for Cod 3
s,ke what has happened p
No answer.
And then she secs the ghastly up
turned face, and the long, CORY stream
that oozes from his temple
Not Two yards distant there is another
prone form. SRA stag1ers toward,it.
Ralph Curtis swarthy face CLEANS
livid and ghastly, in the pale moonlight
"His fault" he gasps--" all his fault
He stabbed me as | was passing him.
Then ] fired-not till then. God help
yeu--poor Sara-poor sara !"
These are the last words he ever spoke.
And 80 the race has been run and 50
death has won it.