Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-03
A RACE WITH A MODERN
MIA.

y
percilious smile, "girls answer to waltz
around with for a little, and skate
gracefully enough, | suppose, but just
as fellow gets interested, they tire
out; have no stamina, you know"
'That is your opinion, is it?" ques-
toned Kate Merton, one of little cir
Gle of beauties that were discussing
the skating-rink, and her black eyes
flashed Indignantly, and even mali
ciously.
'.Most decidedly" he answered.
''No girl could endure long race"
and he glanced almost scornfully at
the slight, trim, 1.-THE figure in con-
frmation of his opinion.
do you think you could catch me?"
she asked. Lords of creation, like
yourself, | am aware, have very ex-
allied opinion of their athletic abili-
ties"
easily. Should you chance to be
the tieetest at the start, which | very
much doubt, should have nothing to
do but wait, and you would soon grow
weary and drop into my arms. ;"
Unto your armsi should very
much prefer a more congenial resting
place." and there was no concealment
of the vexation she felt at even the pos
sibility of such an accident. But"
she continued, ''do you seriously think
you could catch me?"
LAS certain of it as that Meleager
caught Atalanta, though the proceed
ing was deuced expensive one"
mo danger of your wasting golden
anythings except upon yourself. How
ever, for once in your etfete existence,
you have evolved a brilliant idea from
out your inner nothingness, and |
eagerly seize upon it. "
''You intend to convey" he drawled
forth, though his flushed face plainly
showed that her ridicule-tipped arrows
had not missed their intended mark,
''that you will assume the character of
Atalanta, the daughter of King Sch@-
neus?"
''At the mask and costume party
next Saturday evening? Certainly"
land you dare me to racer"
DECIDEDLY SO. But don't neglect to
bring the golden apples. Who knows
but that they might tempt me to lose
if you should be too slow, and your
brilliant conversation and princely
beauty fail to conquer my stubborn
hearth"
''What do you wager that | do not
catch you before going twenty times
around the rink?" he asked, and in a
tone that revealed how much he was
annoyed by her cutting sarcasm.
Anything" saucily.
''Anything?'
He fancied he saw good opportuni-
tn
'I'll wager dozen of gloves against
a kiss. :"
The full red lips curled scornfully,
the nee retr0uSSee became still more
marked, the flush on the face deepened
to crimson, the bosom heaved with
pent-up indignation, and the black
eyes snapped with volcanic fires.
Then the amused smiles of her COM
panions, and the triumphant one of
Byrd Bryton, caused sudden change
in feeling, and choking down her in
suited modesty, though it cost a great
effort, she answered.:
Il accept the wager
"a dozen pair of gloves if I lose, and
a kiss upon your coral lips"
IF you win"
''Your hand upon it. ;"
when | give any man my hand, my
heart will 60 with i" she said proud
ly; and with cutting GOODNESS, and
bat, slipped quietly from the room and
house.
Busy days followed. What had SIM
ply been intended as an impromptu af-
fair assumed Importance as the wager
became noised about, and was dignified
as a carnival and costume became
the engrossing topic of every Venus of
one sex and Adonis of the other, and
each was arranged with much more at
tention to individual taste than historic
requirements.
That of Atalanta certainly was, for
no one living has the slightest knowl-
edge of how the swift-hoated beauty
was dressed when golden temptation
in the form of an apple proved her a
genuine daughter of Eve.
Not having Scyrosian dame to
prompt her, or any Scyrosian fashion
magazine to guide, she robed herself in
scarlet bodice and skirt, short enough
to give free play to pretty feet and
glinpses of delicately-turned ankles, q
gypsy hood of same color, and a half
mask, founced with lace that hid even
mouth and chin, and yet permitted
ease in breathing.
And very beautiful she looked upon
the evening of the contest as she stood,
mask IN hand and hood thrown back,
watching the rapid glidings, twistings,
turnings, and intricate movements of
the happy crowd.
Her antagonist thought so; noticed
more than ever before the ripping
hair, the flushed cheeks, the light flash
ing in the black eyes, and sauntering
to her side said:
IF beauty could ensure winning, the
gloves would already be yours.
'.And as it cannot any more than I'M
welcome compliments, what then?"
she questioned in return.
1.-The kiss am to have will be much
the sweeter for"
''That will answer" she interrupted
contemptuously, turning upon her he Ell
and darling over the mirror-like floor
Al