Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-07-30
RIDING TO WIN.


 pendent
 RIDING TO WIN. Though the Race Was Lost tho
 Prize Was Won.
 "I did not know you had so much poetry in your composition" observed Mrs. An struther, lanRuidly.
 Leila Marsden arranged the delicate lace at her wrist with an air of abstraction. "He is very good looking, and he rides splendidly." she said, ''and he-er-he docs love mo to distraction, 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 1t in time; they always do. You are surely not going to trouble your silly little head about himP
 Miss Marsden rose and walked across the room to the veranda. "I'll think about It," she said, half turning in the doorway to glance back at her sister. ''Tu think about 1t, and I'll make up my mind this evening. There! can't promise more than that, can l, Rosea You are satisfied, aren't youl"
 ''Yes, am satisfied" replied Mrs. An struther; and as she dozed through the long afternoon that followed she allowed her sister to figure very prominently in her dreams as the wife of Major 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 8 term to be properly applied to it; but the arrival of . couple of regiments on their way to the frontier had stirred up Sizlrabad to sports on three days of the week, the race ball in terveninR.
 "You'll come down to see the finish to- morrow, Miss MarsdenW asked Tommy Campbell, the wit of Sizirabad, as he strolled up to Leila that evening and asked her for dance. 'There's the cup race coming oil, you know, and the ladies' handicap, and The race Willoughby rides to win-the ono with the lady as prize" "What do you meant" asked Leila, laugh na.
 "He means the ladies' prize race," sad Major Arburton, standing close behind her, and glowering at Campbell over her shoul- fer.
 "And Is Mir. WilIoughby quite likely to win itT asked Leila, somewhat indifferent y.
 s'The betting Is all on him, but he's got 8 | :icklish mount, and I 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. ! Ean't t imagine why they don't arrange things better in this outlandish land; but then I l never have seen the advantages of India. Beg your pardon, Miss Marsden. didn't l mean pun" And he disappeared among ! :he dancers with a comical look on his face, | while Leila laughed forcedly and turned to aer partner.
 what horse is Mr. Willoughby going to ride o-morrow in the Ladies' races"
 "One of mino-Mazoppa. You seem ta .ake a great interest In that fellow Will. Mghby." [Jealously.]
 'sNot at all He is rather friend of my sister's," replied Leila, carelessly. "Ara lot you going to ride in this interesting race, Major Arburton1"
 .If you wish it livery tenderly]. and if my weight will allow of it." tDoubtfully.]
 The mixed sentiment larred on Leila; but .ent prospects. What mattered 1t that he was far beyond thirty, and nolonger 30 slim as he had beeni 1t was @ good match for ( penniless girl and she had no choice; and 70, long before the evening was over, peo ole wore whispering together concerning Miss Marsden aud Major Arburton, and 6 re port flew about that he had proposed and had ooen accepted.
 The truth or otherwise of such statements Twas not to be read on Leila's face. To al outward observance she was as calm and naughty and beautiful as ever. None knew that she looked at her programme over anc over again to make sure that there was nc mistake, and that the initials "C. c. w. Scrawled against the fifteenth valse made her await that dance with sickeninf heart.
 It came at last. The band struck up thu strains of @ wellknown valse, the room began to i'll, and presently Leila Marsden with paler cheeks than usual and strang' beating of the heart, was floating roun, with Charlie Willoughby as partner.
 "Shall we sit the rest outa" he asked when they paused at length.
 Leila bent her head in assent, and the!
 passed out of the room on to the long, lov
 veranda, somewhat to the dismay of he l sister who had watched them eagerly whil
 together. The moonlight threw the girl
 pale face and tall, slight figure into stron
 relief against the dark veranda background Charlie Willoughby leant against pilla overrun with creeper and looked at he
 fxedly. He uiade no excuse for himself nor did he break the silence between then ! His eyes searched her face as though b would read there what he dared not trus .. himself to hear.
 Presently Leila spoke. Her voice sounde faintan far away even to herself. 'T hear, che said, pleadingly, "that you are going {
 ride very vicious horse tomorrow In th Ladies' prize race. Please don't ride Il ! please do not"
 "And I hear that you are engaged marry Major Arburton" (without th slightest reference to her appeaD. "Is ths true, Leila, or Is 1t noti"
 6he looked down and traced little pa
 te1u on the stone floor with her foot. IOoNCoRD BUGoIEs,