The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-13

LUZ Oue, dln ldu ulldO ~ udo oSSuiAoo'
Itgives me, at least, the opportunity of
asking you, in Mr.. Curtis presence,
Hiss Sara, how much longer you desire
that this absurd masquerade shall con-
tinue. With whom-to make o sort of
epigram out of the situation" (while he
laughs low, discordant laugh h)-"do you
wish to walk home with, Mr.. Curtis or
myself"
And then Ralph Curtis speaks
promptly:
81 echo Mr. Crosbies question"
Whereupon poor, weak Sara bursts into
tears.
"Please both go away" she murmurs,
brokenly.
81 can walk home just as well alono
by myself"
Silence.
This time it is silence that Ralph
Curtis ends.
"That is no answer, Miss Sara"
"Right,' states Walter Crosbie, with
stern emphasis. at is no answer"
"I--I can't help it," laments Sara.
"Please go-both of you"
Suddenly fierce flash shoots from the
pight-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
o."
81 do not understand" replies Walter.
Ralph draws near to him.
81 beg your pardon he commences,
speaking to Sara; an then there follows
between the two men an inaudible whis-
| pered conference which she, who wit
pesses it, watches and wonders at.
The conference continues nearly five
minutes; and at last Ralph Curtis turns
toward Sara.
".Liss Prescott, Mr.. Croshie and I have
formed a compact together. Do you
gee where yonder road energies from
those clumps of shrubbery?"
eyes," answers the puzzled girl, in right
puzzled tones.
Every 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 all probability win the race
| Il, To hI,t !
proves o neck -andneck race, then
then"
''lhen% questions Sara, with tremb-
ling voice.
Then" Walter Crosbie here breaks in,
"you ariU walk home alone. Do you quite
understand, Miss Sara? Think, for a
moment, and feel sure that further ex-
PLANTATION will be useless"
"I-I-have thought" quivers Sara,
,and-and-I Think am sure, indeed
that | understand.
"Very well,' exclaimed Walter. "Do
you consent to such an arrangement,
strange and wild as it seems? Reflect
for moment before replying"
Sara covers her face, impulsively, with
both hands, and remains in this attitude
for brief while. Then she uncovers her
face again, with an equal impulsiyeness,
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 hel
, CLEAN the shadowy lawns, broken with
their great, dusk masses of foliage. Hel
t eyes are ixedintently upon that fragment
of opposite road which its skirting
shrubberies allow her to see. She is list.
, ening-listening with strained anxious
r ear, and with every nerve on the qui
Uiue of expectancy.
Presently there is the distinct sound
at what seems considerable distance
of rapid, advancing feet Sara's eyes
fairly dilate, and her head stretches it.
self forward in the wild eagerness of hel
feelings.
The steps come nearer, nearer-heavy
decisive thuds of vigorous feet against
hard, unyielding gravel.
And now, without a moments warning
;. the steps cease. Then there is mans
, wild, fierce cry; after that, what seems {
. second of silence; and then the dreadful
cracking, unmistakable sound of pistol