Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-10-11
No Middle Men.

| >''h P'a''h''y WI Hlllts
for the race. and if cannot catch the
black-eyed witch deserve to be mulct-
ed in much larger sum-"
Yet he did not neglect to take every
| precaution to command success. Not
| claiming to he an expert, to have been
beaten by one of his own sex would
not have ruilled a feather of his self.
conceit, but to be defeated by Cir
would be CALLING to his pride and max 4
him the laughing-stock of all his ac-
| quaintances.
Going to win, Byrd?" asked lady
friend. rolling up to the spot where he
was standing, and laying her little
gloved hand contdentialy upon hi.
arm.
Certainly am. 1t is preposterous
to imagine the girl can have any
chance. She will tire out at the speed
before half the distance is accomplish.
ed"
Would you like to make the same
| wager with me? | mean bet another
dozen OF gloves you beat Kate agains,
| you know what" and she pouted
her ripe lips out i'll the most provoking
manner
III course | would.
"Aud with me? and me? and mef
and mc?' exclaimed her fair compan.
ions. tantalining him with prospect
of kisses tempting enough to have ex-
cited much more level-headed man.
Yes" he laughed; "but no more.
Six dozen is quite enough to think of
| losing. and when | win shall be sur
feited with hOney-sweets"
Don't be too confident, Byrd" an
swercd the first speaker. "Remem-
Der the old adage of the cup and the
lip"
Yet prepare yourself to yield the
| latter without reserve as we say in
the law. You know l am following
| it."
"And will never catch"it any more
than you will me- was the taunting
interruption of Kate Merton. as she
rolled easily past the little group to the
point designated for her starting.
1--WE shall see, my saucy lady" he
shouted after her, and then hastened
to assume his own position.
The usual terms governing such mat
ters had been agreed upon by the high
contracting parties. The girl was en-
titled to "A start Of one half FLAP" "
and amid great expectation and excite
ment, the track was cleared. and every
ear anXiousIy strained for the signal to
go.
Ii came with the crack of pistol,
and away they dashed to the music of
a lively waltz.
Like an arrow from strongly
strained bow. the girl sprang ahead
! like a swallow she skinned the floor;
her antagonist. less gracefully, but
more strongly. following.
In the language of the turf, it in
stantly became evident that she had
the foot, and the question was as to
| her ability to last the pace.
! A crimson meteor, she shot around
the oval at almost Drcathless speed.
and for half OF the first mile not only
held her own, but slightly gained.
| Then she appeared to slow, to falter.
| to shorten her steps, to become un-
steady, and fears of her losing were
tremblingly entertained by the majori-
| ty of the audience, who were in SYM
| pathy with her.
Into knot Of girls that were gath
cred at one end OF the building, and
Immediately by the door of the ladies
room, she dashed.
Every one thought that she had Civ
en- up the struggle, and expected to see
| her carried out fainting.
1t was not so; the group opened, she
rolled out, wiping her face beneath the
tlounce of lace with a handkerchief sat
urated with cologne, and the object OF
| her swerying from the track was salts
factorily explained.
| Apparently refreshed by the highly
, pertumed spirits, she speedily regained
the little she had lost, waved her pur-
suer onward, and as strongly as at first
held her way.
And thus they continued, amid ex-
| clamations OF wonder at her skill and
strength, until nearing the end Of the
mile.
She passed it, greeted with the wild
est applause, then suddenly pressed
her hand to her heart, and staggered
toward the group OF her anxious COM
| panions.
| Like u wall they closed about her,
but she waved them of and again
made her exit, holding in her hand a
| =
again pressed forward.
| A pungent aromatic odor came to
the spectators as she passed, and that
she was taking some stimulant to sus-
tain her was clearly proven, and as the
cologne's effects were marked by in
creased speed and by renewed power.
wagers began to DC made freely that
she would win.
| This plan of operations continued.
| As often as the girl apparently felt
her strength and resolution giving way
she took measures to renew them, her
chosen companions having the means
ready.
Byrd Bryton toilcd steadily along in
the rear, unable to gain more than 8
mome0tary advantage.
lie was astonishcd that so frail q
| physical organization could endure SC
| long under SO severe a strain.
| Several times his hopes had been
dashed 10 the ground, but he did moi
entirely despair He fanoied he saw
that the girl was gradually weakening,
and reserved his own strength a
much as possible for grand effort a
the close.
That he was right the more frequen
demands made upon her companions
proved to his mind.
| At each quarter of the last mile sh,
had sought something OF them to sus
tain, and must be gradually failing
Yet no had gained very little, and. "a