Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-08
HE RODE TO WIN.

very good looking, and he rides splendidly, "
she said, land he-er-he does love me to dis
traction, you know"
'As many others probably will do before
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 in
time; they always do. You are surely not
going to trouble your silly little head about
himH
Miss Marsden rose and walked across the
room to the veranda. ''Ill think about it, !"
she said, half turning in the doorway to
glance back at her sister. 'Iill think about it,
and I'll make up mind this evening. There!
i can't promise more than that, can l, Rose2
You are satisfied, aren't youf"
Eyes, | am satisfied" replied Mrs An
struther; and, as she dozed through the long
afternoon that 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
Marslen at the race ball that night. Race
| ball' is, perhaps, too big term to be prop
erly applied to it; but the arrival of couple
of regiments on their way to the frontier had
stirred up Sizirabad to sports on three days
of the week, the race bali intervening.
You'll come down to see the finish to-nor-
row, Miss Marsden?" asked Tommy Camp
bell, the wit of Sizirabad, as he strolled up to
Leila that evening and asked her for dance.
There's the cup race coming off, you know,
and the ladies' handicap, and the race Viii
loughby rides to win-the one with the lady
as prize"
'What do you mean?" asked Leila, laugh
ing.
''He means the ladies' prize race" said Maj.
Arburton, standing close behind her, and
glowering at Campbell over her shoulder.
"And is Mr.. Wiiloughby quite likely to
win it," asked Leila somewhat indifferently.
''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 vicious brute into the bargain,
you stand a 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 l never
have seen the advantages of India Beg your
pardon, Miss Marsden, didn't mean a pun. "
And he disappeared among the dancers with a
comical look on his face, while Leila laughed
forcedly and turned to her partner.
"Row odd he isl" she said. by the way,
what horse is Mr.. Willoughby going to ride
tomorrow in the ladies' races"
Zone of mine-Mazeppa. You seem to take
q great interest In that fellow Wiloughby. u
[Jealously.l
mot at all He is rather friend of my
SISTERS" replied Leila carelessly. Are not
you going to ride in this interesting race,
Maj Arburtong"
"If you wish it livery tenderlyl and if my
weight viii allow of it." lDoubtfullyl
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 80, and no longer SO slim as he had
been? 1t was good match for a penniless
girl, and she had no choice; and SO, long be-
fore the evening was over, people were whis-
pering together concerning Miss Marsden and
Maj Arburton, and report flew about that
he had proposed and been accepted.
The truth or otherwise Of such statements
was not to be read on Lella's face. To all out
ward observance she was as clam and naughty
and beautiful rs ever. None knew that she
looked at her programme over and over again
to make sure that there was no mistake. and
that the initials &C. c. w" scrawled against
the fifteenth valse made her await that dance
with a Sickening heart.
1t came at last The band struck up the
strains of a well known valse, the room began
to fill, and presently Leila Marsden, with
paler cheeks than usual and a strange beat
ing of the heart, was floating round with
Charlie Nilloughby as partner.
''Shall we sit the rest out?" 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 disIuav of her SIS
ter, who had watched them eagerly while to-
Getber. The moonlight threw the girls pala
face and tell slight figure into strong relief
against the dark veranda background. Char
lie Willoughby leant against pillar overrun
with creeper, and looked ar her fiIeify He
made no excuse for himself, nor die be break
the silence between them. His eyes searched
her face as though he would read there what
he dared not trust himself to hear.
Presently Leila spoke Her voice sounded
faint and far away even TO herself. Il hear, y
she said pleadingly, that YOU are going TO ride
very vicious horse tomorrow in the ladies
prize race. Please don't ride it; please dc
not"
And / hear that you are engaged TO marry
Maj. Arburton" without the slightest refer
ence 10 her appeal. lis that true, Leila, or i:
il norir
She looked down ard traced little pattern
on the stone tocr with her foot
is II true or is it notf' he repeated fiercely.
She lifted her eyes TO his, and saw there the
passion which trembled in his voice.
Don't be angry; on, do not!" she cried,
putting up her hand with deprecating geS
ture, they have made ne 90 il am a
burden 10 my sister, you know; and couldn':
stand It any longer; and be Is not so bad
but love you the beSt-oh 50 much the
besti Tou know it, only Ill SIN 50 mis-
erable.r
Doubtless he ssid gravelv. uave- co. IN
instant relnoVils Hfs es Is from me TaIr pie
Gus face: 20 aai VERY miserable; 50 have
| been for the past month; but nv misery
doesn't seem - touch You much. So you arr
going 70 marry this Cr0esus, this elderly fu.
ture hsronet, and throw me- over quite, ara
you. Leilai''
She twisted and UNFINISHED her hands ner>
yously, but made no reply.
And you are good enough TO take sufficient
interest in ne TO WIS., me not 10 break nv
neck tomorrow
She was stln silent
VERY good. Then listen 10 me ride 10
morrow, and ride TO win, and you are 10 be
the prize. Yes, you-6o not look 80 STARTLED