Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-18
HE RODE TO WIN.

IN your composition. observed Mrs. Austru-
;he- ianguidly
Leila Marsien arranged the delicate lace at
her wrist with air Of abstraction He Is
very good looking, and be rides splendilly,s
she said land he-er-he does love me TO dis
traction, you know
As many others probably will do uefore
your time Is over, my dear; but that has
nothing TO do with the case. You must get
married and Temple Is just the man for you.
As for the other one. he'll get over it III
time, they always do You are surely 30;
going to trouble your silly little heal about
him.
Miss Maryien rose and walked across the
room to the veranda IN think about it,
she said, half turning in the doorway 10
glance back at her sister IN think about it,
and III make up mind this evening. There!
l can't promise more than that. can |, Roses
You are satisfied, aren't youf"
Yes | am satisfied" replied Mrs. An
struther and, as she dozed through the long
afternoon thar followed, she allowed her Sis
ter TO figure very prominently in her dreams
as the wife of Maj. Temple Arburton, of the
hussars and future baronet.
Sizirabad is famous for its pretty girls; but
prettiest and most striking Of all was Leila
MArsden at the race ball that night. Race
ball" Is, perhaps, too big term TO be prop
srly applied to it, but the arrival of couple
II regiments on their way to the frontier had
stirred up Sizrabad to sports on three days
u the week, the race ball intervening.
You'll come down to see the finish to-lnor-
row, Miss Marsienf' asked Tommy Camp
bell, the wit OF Szirabad, as he strolled upto
Leila that evening and asked her for dance
There's the cup race coming off, you know,
and the ladies' handicap and the race Will
loughby rides to win--the one with the lady
rs prize'
What do you meanf' asked Leila. laugh
ing.
He means tine ladies' prize race said Maj.
Arburton, standing close behind her, and
glowering at Campbell over her shoulder
And is Mr.. Willoughby quite likely to
win itf' asked Leila, somewhat indfferently.
THE betting is all on him; but he's got a
ticklish mount, and | don't like that left
hand corner Of the course. With pulling
horse, and a vicious brute into the bargain,
you stand rare chance of jumping the hedge
and disappearing down the precipice Can't
imagine why they don't arrange things better
In this outlandlish land, but then | never
have seen the advantages Of India. Beg your
pardon, Miss Marsden, didn't mean a pun"
And he disappeared among the dancers with
comical look on his face while Leila laughed
forcedly and turned to her partner.
"How odd he isn' she said. BY the way,
what horse is Mr.. Willoughby going to ride
tomorrow in the ladies' race
"One of mine-Mazeppa, You seem to take
great interest In that fellow Willoughby."
(Jealously
mot at all He is rather friend Of my
sisters" replied Leila carelessIy Are not
you going to ride in this interesting race,
Maj. ArburtonP
''If you wish it livery tenderlyl, and if my
weight will allow Of it" IDoubtfullyl
The mixed sentiment Jared on Leila; but
he was rich, in a good regiment, with excel
lent prospects What mattered it that he was
far beyond 30, and no longer so slim as he had
beeni 1t was good match for pcnness
girl, and she had no choice; and so, long be
fore the evening was over, people were whis
pering together concerning Mis-. Marsdeu and
Maj. Arburton, and a report flew about that
he had proposed and been accepted.
The truth or otherwise Of such statements
was not to be read on Leila's face To all out
ward observance she was as clam and naughty
and beautiful as ever. None knew that she
looked at her programme over and over again
that the initials sc. c. W" scrawled against
the fifteenth valse made her await that dance
with a sickenng heart.
1t came at last The band struck up the
strains of a well known valse, the room began
to fill and presently Leila Marstlen, with
paler cheeks than usual and strange beat
ing Of the heart, was floating round with
Charlie Willoughby as partner.
'Shall we sit the rest out r. he asked when
they paused at length
Leila bent her head in assent, and they
passed out Of the room on to the long low We
randa, somewhat to the dismay of her sis
ter who had watched them eagerly while to-
gether. The moonlight threw the girls pale
face and tall slight figure into strong relief
against the dark veranda background. Char
lie Willoughby leant against pillar oyerrun
with creeper, and looked at her fxedly. He
made no excuse for himself, nor did be break
the silence between them. His eyes searched
her face as though he would read there what
be dared not trust himself to hear
Presently Leila spoke. Her voice sounded
faint and far away even to herself Il hear -
she said pleadingly that you are going to ride
very vicious horse tomorrow in the ladies'
prize race. Please don't ride it, please do
not"
And | hear that you are eng ged to marry
Mai Arburton" without the slightest refer
ence to her appeal as that true Leila, or is
it notf'
She looked down and traced a little pattern
on the stone floor with her foot.
"Is it true, or is it notr' he repeated iiercely
She lifted her eyes to his. and saw there the
passion which trembled in his voice.
Don't be angry; oh, do notlT she cried,
bart l, I,,-fth
ture: they have made me do it. | am a
burden to my sister, you know, and couldn't
stand it any longer; and be is not so bad ,
but love you the best-oh. so much the
basti You know it; only Ill am so mis-
erable,"
"Doubtless " he said gravelv never for an
instant removing bis eyes from the fair pite-
ON face; $50 am livery miserable; so have
! been for the past month; but my misery
doesn't seem to touch you much. So you are
going to marry this Crcesus, this elderly fu-
ture haronet, and throw me over quite are
you, Leilaf'
She twisted and UNFINISHED her hands ner-
vously, but made no reply
And you are good enough to take sufficient
interest In me to wish me not to break my
neck tomorrow
She was still silent.
Very good Then listen TO me ride to-
morrow, and ride to win, and you are to be
the prize Yes, you-do not look so startled
you | ride to win, or | ride to Never
mind that part Of the business. II win
shall consider you mine in spite of all the
Maj Arburtons in the world If not-do you
understand the alternative. Lelar'.
She bent her head Could she avoid under
standing lit
at lies with you be went on steadily
"You know my horse, you know the race
course, you know me. II tomorrow before
starting you bid me ride to win. very good;
II not The music has begun again Shall
I take you back TO your elderly future bar
onetr
my dear Leila, what nonsenssp' cried
Mrs Anstruthers. Rub your cheeks. child.
and drink this wine You look as white as a
ghost. and about As unhappy. Not go to the
racsi You will have every one saying it is
al Oh again just as it is all on 1t is too az
gravsting OF you. really"
It was the day following the ball Leila,
m her sisters room, was utterly refusing to
accompany her to the race course and equal
ly positive in her refusal to see Mai Arbur-
ton
Il know what it is" Mrs Anstruther went
On angrily; that boy has been talking non
sense to you 1t was too foolish of you to
give him a dance last night If had known
Of It should have taken you home, most Ger
tainlyr
ssT1a did nor tall r,,,,s..,,s.. .rl - = -