Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-07-18
THE SPECTRAL RIDER.

~ = ASaAA1 $500
AIT Baden Baden horse race was to
taxi, place a great many specta tors had
assembled. The elete had not yet ar
rived, and as therefore the races had not
begun the sportsmen were standing in
groups. Among these were two officers
of the army. x q 5s5
S5 EDO You really intend to let Devils
Daughter take, part, Poseneek ?" asked
one Of them. IL + ND, II. h v 4 Fri
Undoubtedly; she has the best
chance" NV l. #%1
Shut who will yon get TO, ride the
mare?" . IT,. 5FsG Id r.. {. ~
.a.4".I shall find sons one; if not I shall
ride her myself" 3 Ia s58&$ Va,
*"If your Cousin Arno would ride her
there might be%a chance Of winning but
as he is engagedto be married his af-
fianced probably will not allow it; and
she cannot be blamed for doing so, for
on that horse one risks breaking his
neck" sF5 "t.ss.fS
The steeplechaser spoken Of, Arno
Won Hohenstein, was present, and there
fore Kurt Won Poseneck hoped to gain
his aid, for he knew how passionately
fond his cousin was OF this sport.
T. He found him, accompanied by his
intended and his future father-in-law.
u suppose it grieves you not to take
part to-day" said Poseneck, ard turn
ming to the young lady he added: "You
may feel tiattered that he intends to
give it up for your sake"
IT suppose we now will try to get
seats, for soon all will be taken," said
Arno, with a sigh. III vi.
~ While he led the Way Poseneck whis-
pered to the young lady: Have you
not word of comfort for me, Victor
ine?" I'm cen by others, she slipped q
little note into Hurts hand. He es-
capped as soon as possible to read it un-
disturbed. ~
It contained the following words :;
"Forgive me T was forced to comply
with the wish Of my parents; my en-
treaties, tears, circumstances were In
vain; therefore I am the affianced Of
Arno Won Hohenstein, { am lost to you
forever, but I shall never forget you. !"
lGt57P oseneck's lowering glances rested
upon the woman he loved, the afhanced
of another. There she stood, a stately
figure, with clear, dark complexion
and lustrous black eyes, beside the in
significant blonde, her future husband.
Al 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
the decision, for when Poseneck whis-
pered to her toussist him she without
hesitation did So.
Il It was q beautiful sight when the
eleven horsemsn who were to take part
with the races took their positions.
Devils Daughter, a powerful, dark
brown, thoroughbred marc, 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 ordinations she felt for the
first time certain interest in her fu-
ture husband. #.
She was rouaed from her thoughts
by Poseneck's voice saying rather ironi-
cally: i3@ III y. . sz u
\. You are looking at your intended
with great interest" and as she looked
up he continued, lowering his voice,
You shall be mine, " and to himself lie
mnrmured, "This decides his fate" i
5B VictoriAe cast 8 frightened glance at
the tall, commanding figure Of Posen
eek, as he slowly moved on. What
could he mean? Death and destruc-
I ton to the unfortunate Hohenstein !?
I She knew that two years before Posen-
/ eek had killed in a duel the Count Of
Pruckwitz, a suffer of hers, who was
4 favored BY her relatives. When he re-
B turned from the fortress, where he had
Il been confined for several months, he
( found her still true to him. But her
/ passionate love was now mingled with
admiring awe. His demoniacal and au-
4 thoritative manner, instead Of repeliing
her, attracted her and ruled her en-
L ttirely. .sg 81 ;8ss 3$5 55g
ijs Kurt Won r oseneck combined an inn
/ posing and disting uished appearance
with the most agreeable social qualities.
4 He also had won the reputation of be-.
| ing reckless and daring on the battle
i field. All this made him q general
/ favorite with the ladies. 4
he had easily won Victorine's love.
But her parents wished another hus-
|, band for their daughter, for they
u thought the dashing young officer was
f NOT the man to make her happy; SO
d Poseneck's offer was declined. But,
being assured Of Victorine's affection,
he did not give up his hopes. He suc-
{ ceeded in keeping up q secret CORES
! pondence with her, which was only
II discontinued when Victorine, forced by
i her parents, was betrot hed to Arno Won
kHohenstein Poseneck's rage and grief
b at this were extreme: but, with the
4 self command peculiar to him, he con-
i trolled his feelings. Y#.
Under these circumstances Victorine
u also suffered nexpressible ang nish. The
affianced Of one whom she did not love,
) cheriahing love for another, wavering
Il between duty and affection, carried
& away BY her passions she wrote that
note which she had given Poseneck.
The race began, and all hut Hohen-
stein dashed on; he purposely kept back
OIL to give the mare the rein after
wards Fmst they went over the water
Then came . stone wall, one Of
!. the most dangerous obstacles at this
Il place Poseneck had taken position "a
await Devils DauKhter The mare
j came on. Arno was already prepared
for The leap when Poseneck uttered q
peculiar hoarse cry TEha noble animal
stabbed stopped and the rider Maa
thrown forFard bis head striking against
Tho wall