The Russellville Democrat., 1877-04-05

Sara utteTB l1tvl0 scream or 01Bmay.
 "How unexpected" she falters and then there is silence among the trio, which lasts until Walter Crosbie hastily breaks it.
 "very unexpected" he exclaims ; l" and yet, after all, scarcely inOppol- tune. I for one am glad it has happened. It gives me, at least, the opportunity of asking you in Mir. Curtis presence, Miss Sara, how much longer you desire this absurd masquerade shall continue ? With whom--to make sort of epigram out of the situation (while he laughs q low, discordant laugh)-'sdo you wish to walk home with, Mir. Curtis or my self?"
 And then Ralph Curtis speaks promptly:
 II echo MT. Crosbie's question"
 Whe.eupon poor weak Sara burstsinto tears.
 "Pleasc go away" she murmrrs brokenly. "I can walk home just as well alone by myself.'
 This time it is a silence that Ralph Curtis ends.
 "That is no answer, Miss Sara"
 Right" states Walter Crosbie, with stern emphasis. "It is no answer"
 ell 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 Walter. If Miss Prescott will not make it herself, it is for us to do so."
 1T don't understand" replies Walter.
 Ralph draws near him.
 q 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, Mir. Crosbie and have formed compact together. Do you see where wonder road emerges from these clumps of shrubbery?" I"
 Yes answered the puzzled girl. in right puzzled tones.
 "Very we'll. 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 speed along the race course. One will in all probability win the race which we pro. pose to run, but if it proves reck-and neck race, then-then-"
 "Then," Walter CIosbie here breaks in, "you must walk home alone. Do you quite understand, Miss Sara? Think, for a moment, and l feel sure that further explanation will be useless
 w-I-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, impulsively with both hands, and remains in this attitude for a while. Then she covers her face again with an equal impulsive- ness, and cries out, in tones almost fierce from intense excitement:
 "I have reflected, and consent"
 < X.
 Sara is standing quite alone now, in the clear, perfect moonlight. Around her gleam the shadowy lawns, broken with their great, dark masses of foliage. Her eyes are fixed intently upon that fragment of opposite road which it's skirting shrubbries allow her to see. She is listening--listening with strained anx- ious ear, and with every nerve on the qua virs of expectancy.
 Presently there was a sound, at what seems considerable distance, of rapid, advancing feet. Sara's eyes fairly dilate, and her head stretches itself forward in the wild eagerness 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, con, with fleetest speed. A leng, quivering, terri. Iicu ulOdu iCdNSo HUI iipS, dS sAiC PhuSCf at last by dark, outstretched form.
 "Walter-Walter CrosEie! for God. sake what has happened?" No answer.
 And then she sees the ghastly up turned face, and the long, gory stream that oozes from his temple Not two yards distant there is another prone form. Sara stag gers toward sit
 Ralph Curtis swarthy face gleami livid and ghastly, in the pale moonlight
 "His fault" he gasps--" all his fault He stabbed ma as was passing him Then fred--not till then. Ged hell yeu--poor Sara-poor Sara !" | These are the last words he ever spoke And so the race has been run and s' death has won it.
 | Laying for Him.