Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-11
A RACE WITH A MODERN
ATALANTA.

around with for little, and skate
gracefully enough, l suppose, but just
as fellow gets interested, they tire
out; have no stamina, you know"
That is your opinion. is itP" 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
mo girl could endure long race"
and he glanced almost scornfully at
the slight, trim, 1.-the figure in con-
firmation of his opinion.
''Do you think you could catch mep"
she asked. Lords of creation, like
yourself, am aware. have very ex-
alted opinion of their athletic abili-
ties"
Easily. Should you chance to be
the ileetest 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"
Into your arms! | 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?'
"As certain of it as that Meleager
caught Atalanta, though the proceed
ing was deuccd expensive one.
"No danger Of your wasting golden
anythings except upon yourself. How
ever, for once in your eifete existence.
you have evolved brilliant idea from
out your inner nothingness, and l
eagerly seize upon it."
"You intend to convey" he drawled
forth, though his flushed face plainly
showed that her ridiculc-tipped arrows
had not missed their intended mark,
that you will assume the character Of
Atalanta, the daughter of King Sch1-
neus?"
''At the mask and costume party
next Saturday evening? Certainly"
And you dare me to raceP
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 l do not
catch you before going twenty times
around the rinkP" he asked, and in a
tone that revealed how much he was
annoyed by her cutting sarcasm.
Anything" saucily.
"AnythingP'
lie tancied he saw a good opportuni-
ty to get even, and continues:
'Ill wager dozen OF gloves against
a kiss"
The full red lips curled scornfully,
the mex retrOuSSee 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:
II accept the wager"
"A dozen pair of gloves il lose, and
q kiss upon your coral lips"
''lf you win"
Your hand upon it."
"When give any man my hand. my
heart will go with it" she said proud
ly: and with cutting coolness. and
Withdrawing from the mental COM
bat. slipped quietly from the room and
house.
Rusv do,s foIlowed What had sim
ply been Intended as an impromptu af.
lair as.nmed imnort,nc. "a the w,ger
became noised about, and was dignitied
as a ..carniyal. and costume became
the epgrossing tonic of everv Venns of
one seX and Adonjs Of the other. and
each wa, ARRANGED with much more at
tention to individual taste than historic
reouirements.
that of Atalanta certainly was. for
no one living has the sljphtest knowl-
edpe Of how the swift -iloated beauty
was dressed when n golden termination
in the form of an annie proyed her n
genuine daughter nf Eve.
No, bavi5g Scvrosi,n dame IN
prompt her or any Scyrosian fashion
maoaz,pe to Guide, she robed herself in
scarlet bodice and skirt, short enough
To Give free pl,v to pretty feet and
plimpses of fd.licatcly-iurncd ankles. a
Sypsy hood of same color. and A half
mask hounced with Lace that hid even
mouth and chin. and vet permitted
ease in breathing
And very beanIiful she lookcd unon
tb. oven;nu nj tho con,.st os sbe stood
mask in hand and hood thrown back,