The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1886-09-09
STORY.
A MODERATE ATLANTA.

A MODERATE ATALANTA.
EYES," said Byrd Bryton with &
supercilious smile, "girls answer tt
waltz around with for a little, and
shake graceful enough, 1 suppose
but just as fellow gets interested
they tire out have no stamina, you
KNOW
"That is your opinion, is it?' ques
toned Kake Merton. one of a little
circle of beauties that were discuss.
ing the skating-rink, and her black
eyes flashed Indignantly, and even
maliciously.
"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
me?" she asked. Lords of crea-
ton, like yourself, am aware, have
a very exalted opinion of their ath.
letic Abilities
Easily. Should you cha nee to be
the feetest at the start, which I very
much doubt, 1 should have nothing
to do but to wait, and you would
soon grow weary and drop into my
arms
Into your arms! 1 should very
much prefer more congenial rest
ing-place," and there was no conceal
ment of the vexation she felt at even
the possibility of such an accident.
"But," she continued, "do you seri
ously think yeu could catch me?'
GAS certain Of it as that Meleager
caught ATLANTA, though the pro-
ceeding was duced expensive one. :.
mo danger Of your wasting golden
anything except upon yourself.
However, for once in your effete ex-
isteace you have evolved bril-
liant idea out of your inner moth
ingness, and eagerly seize upon
it,"
you intend to convey" he drawl.
ed forth, though his flushed face
plainly showed that ridicule.tipped
arrows had not missed their intend.
ed mark, "that you will assume the
character of Atalanta, Che daughter
of King Scheneus.'
cat the mask and costume party
Saturday evening? Certainly
"And you dare me to a racer
DECIDEDLY so. But don't neglect
to bring the golden apples. Who
knows but that they might tempt
mo to lsose if you should be too slow
and your brilliant conversation and
princely beauty fail to conquer my
stubborn heart"
"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 at Ter cutting sarcasm.
"Anything,' saucily.
"Anything?"
He fancied he saw good oppor-
tunity to get even and continued:
"I'll wager dozen gloves against
a kiss"
The full red lips curled scornfully.
the neg retoussee became still mere
marked, the flush on the face deep
encd to crimson, the bosom heaved
with pent-up Indignation, and the
black eyes snapped with volcanic
fires.
Then the amused smiles of her
companions, and the triumph one
of Byrd Bryton, caused change in
feeling, and she answed:
81 accept the wager"
"a dozen pair of gloves i'll lose,
and kiss upon your coral lips"
"If you win
our HStuu upOH III.
"When 1 give any man my hand, my
heart will 60 with it." she said,
proudly. and with cutting GOODNESS,
and withdrawing from the combat,
slipped quietly from the room and
house.
He noted the dexterity with
which she managed her skates, the
graceful swing, the long and rapid
slide, tie firmncss Of motion,
the certainty of poise, the utter
want of timidty, and the race been
short one would have confessed
himself beaten.
"What is the distance around the
rinkY' he asked the proprietor, who
CHANGED to be near,
"Well, without going into frac-
tions," was the business.like reply,
"ten times around would equal
mile"
"Thanks," and he strolled away
complacently murmuring: 1.-TWO
miles for the race, and il Icannot
catch the black-eyed witch deserve
to be mulcted in much larger sum. -
Yet he did not neglect to take
every precaution TO command sue
cess. Not claiming. to be an expert,
to have been beaten by one OF his
own sex would not have ruffied a
feather of his self-conceit, but to be
defeated by girl would be CALLING
to his pride and make him the
laughing stock of all his acauaint-
ances.
i "Going to win, Byrd?" asked a
lady friend, rolling up to the spot
where lie was standing, and laying
herI little gloved hand confidently
upon his arm.
Certainly am. 1t is preposter.
Gus to imagine the girl can have
any chance. She will tire out at the
speed before half the distance is &C