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

"What is the distance around the
rink?' he asked of the proprietor, who
CHANGED to be near.
''Well, without going into fractions"
was the business-like reply, s'ten times
round would equal mile"
Thanks" and he strolled away
complacently murmuring, 1.-TWO miles
for the race, and if l 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
"leirling to be an expert, to have been
beaten by one of his own sex would
not have ruffled a feather of his self
conceit, but to be defeated by a girl
would be CALLING to his pride and make
| him the laughing-stock of all his &C
| quaintances.
Going to win, Byrd?" asked lady
friend, rolling up to the spot where he
was standing, and laying her little
gloved hand confidentially upon his
! arm.
Certainly 1 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 against
you know what" and she pouted
her ripe lips out in the most provoking
manner.
''Of course | would"
''And with me? and me? and me?
/ N ,. olo1 81 ba,, -,
ions, tantalizing him with prospect
of kisses tempting enough to have ex-
cited much more level-headed man.
Eyes" 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
swered 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 / am following
it."
"And will never catch it any more
than you will me- was the haunting
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 fastened
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 start of one half 'lap,n
and amid great expectation and excite
ment, the track was cleared, and every
ear anxiously strained for the signal to
60.
1t came with the crack of a pistol,
and away they dashed to the music of
a lively waltz.
Like an arrow from stron gly-
strained bow, the girl sprang ahead
like 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 '1ast the pace"
A crimson meteor, she shot around
the oval at almost breathless 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 I'M
steady, and fears of her losing were
tremblingly entertained by the MAORI
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
t1ounce 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
perfumed 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-
CARNATIONS 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 wall they closed about her,
but she waved them off and again
made her exit, holding in her hand a
glass, and drinking from it as she yet
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
co1ogne's effects were marked oy in
creased speed and by renewed power,
wagers began to be 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 toiled steadily along in
the rear. unable to gain more than a
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