The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-07-25
THE SPECTRAL RIDER.

take place; a great many spectators had
assembled. The elete had not yet ar
rived, and as therefore the races had not
begun the sportsmen were standing in
groups. Among these were two officers
of the army.
"Do you really intend to let DEVILS
Daughter take part, Poseneck? ?" asked
n of them.
Undoubtedly; she has the best
chance"
mare?"
IT shall find some one; if not I shall
ride her myself"
eff your Cousin Arno would ride her
there might be a chance of winning, but
as he is engaged to be married his af-
ianced probably will not allow it; and
she cannot De blamed for doing SO, for
on that horse one risks breaking his
neck"
The steeplechsser spoken of, Arno
Won Hohenstein, wa present, and there
fore Kurt o Poseneck hoped to gain
his aid, for he knew how pas.ionately
fond his cousin was of this sport.
He found him, accompanied by his
intended and his future father-in-law.
"Isuppose it grieves you not to take
part to-day" said Poseneck, ard turn
ming to the young lady he added: "You
may feel fiattered that he intends to
give it up for your sake"
II suppose we now will. try to get
seats, for scon all will be TAKEN" said
Arno, with a sigh.
While he led the why Poseneck whis-
pered to the young lady: "Have you
not a word of comfort for me, Victor
ine?" Unseen by others, she slipped q
little note into Hurts hand. He es-
capped as soon as possible to read il un-
disturbed.
It contained the following words;
Forgive me / was forced to comply
with the wish of my parents; my en-
treaties, tears, circumstances were in
vain; therefore / am the afianced Of
Arno Won Hohenstein, / am lost to you
forever, but I shall forget you"
Poseneck's lowering chances rested
upon the woman he loved, the afianced
of another. There she stood, a stately
figure, with q clear, dark complexion
and lustrous black eyes, beside the in
significant blonde, her future husband.
Shortly before the steeplechase began
he appeared in the paddock accompan-
led by Arno, Notwithstanding the
opposition of Victorine's father he had
succeeded in persuading him to ride the
mare. Victorine had greatly influenced
/ klo lns, fr~ -.1o- D0ao~1o1 ,vr1s
pered to her to assist him she without
hesitation did 80.
1t was q beautiful sight when the
eleven horsemen who were to take part
with the races took their positions.
Devils Daughter, q powerful, dark
brown, thoroughbred mare, and under
Hohenstein's guidance, attracted all at
tention. The more restless she was,
the more composed and immovable sat
her rider. As Victorine heard the
admiring EXPLANATIONS she felt for the
first time q certain interest in her fu-
ture husband.
She was rouned from her thoughts
by Poseneck's voice saying rather ironi-
cally:
"You are looking at your intended
WILL STodt 1uteIcSt3 huu dS Sue AOOhou
up he continued, lowering his voice,
"You shall be mine," and to himself he
murmured, "This decides his fate"
Victorine cast a frightened glance al
the tall, commanding figure of Posen-
eek, as he slowly moved on. What
could he mean? Death and destfuc-
ton to the unfortunate Hohenstein {
She knew that two years before Posen-
eek had killed in a duel the Count oil
Pruckwitz, c suffer of hers, who was
favored by her relatives. When he re-
turned from the fortress, where he had
been confined for several months, he
found her still true to him. But he,
passionate love was now mingled with
admiring awe. His demoniacal and au-
thoritative manner, instead of repellinp
her, attracted her and ruled her en-.
tirely.
Kurt Won Poseneck combined an i'm,
posing and distinguished appearance,
with the most agreeable social qualities
He also had won the reputation of be
ing reckless and daring on the battle
field. All this made him a genera
favorite with the ladies.
He had easily won Victorine's love
But her parents wished another hus
band for their daughter, for the.
thought the dashng young officer Wa
not the man to make her happy; st
Poseneck's offer was declined. But
being assured Of Victorine's affection
he did not give up his hopes. He sue
ceeded in keeping up q secret cores
pondence with her, which was only
discontinued when Victorine, forced by
her parents, was betrothed to Arno vor
Hohenstein. Poseneck's rage and grie1
at this were extreme; bat, with the
self-command peculiar to him, he con.
trolled his feelings.
Under these circumstances Victorine
also suffered inexpressible anguish. The
afianced Of one whom she did not love,
cherishing love for another, warering
between duty and affection. carried
away by her passions-she wrote that
note which she had given Poseneck.
The race began, and all but Hohen.
stein dashed on; he purposelyk kept bach
only to give the mare the rein after
wards. First they went over the waite:
jump. Then came Q stone wall, one o
the most dangerous obstacles. At thii
place Poseneck had taken position I,
await Devils Daughter. The mar
came n. Arno was already preparet
for the leap when Poseneck uttered
peculiar hoarse cry. The noble ANNA
startled, stopped, and the rider wa
thrown forward his head striking agains
the wall.
The next moment Posaneck knelt be
side a corpse. As he saw the fxe'
CLASSY look Of the dead mans eye b
shiyered with horror. The violence 9