Evening journal., 1891-07-22
THE LAST RACE.

black coat and general bearing pointed hin
out as not belonging to 'the service
lie was standing at a table with small
notebook in bis hand, in which he quickly
entered some bets be had made on the gar
risen races which were to come of next day
AS he did SO he called out to an officer
who stood near the ire st George, WON'T
| you risk pony on the hurdle race tomor
row2n
NO" replied the officer addressed; q
never bet ON my own horse; only run him
to give the regiment an interest in the
race" So saying, Mr.. ST. George walked
| out OF the messroom, followed by a glance
/ by no means amiable from the civilian.
| The latter was a gentleman OF good fam
! lily and fortune in Galway, who was known
| as the bodest rider and best Judge OF
horseiiesh in that sporting country, both
| of which qualifications caused him to be
regarded with immense respect by his
ygng military friends, who listened
| gfeedily to the words OF wisdom, on stable
matters, which fell from his lips.
Not that the squire, as he was called,
cared at all 20 keep bis superior knowledge
20 himself. He was always good natured
in giving his opinion when asked to do so,
and consequently was very popular with
all the young officers. with the exception
Of st. George.
That gentleman had a decided antipa
thy to the "horsey squire" to whom he
was contrast ia every way. Kerwan
was dark and middle sized, with loud, OF
hand manners; St. George was tall, fair,
and had quiet, unapproachabhe manner,
which always caused the former to feel at
a n itu {f4f
tributed TO the squire's feeling of irrita.
tion. A certain young ady, Miss Fra
ser, whom he intensely admired, showed
decided preference for St. Georges soci-
ETY., and avoided his attentions, although
he was very rich and the soldier was poor
ldrs. Fraser and her two daughters lived
in a handsome house of their own, but
they had but small income. and Kerwan
had fattered himself that either of the
young ladies would gladly accept him.
He had at first paid considerable attention
to the eldest girl. but latterly transferred
his admiration to her pretty young sister,
much to the annoyance Of both girls, the
elder Of whom looked on him "a an eligi-
ble parti, while her sister thought him an
intolerahie bore.
The day OF the races was bright and
! pleasant, an immense crowd assembled on
the course. The good folk Of Dublin are
| keen lovers OF sport, and turned out to a
man, their female belongings being glad to
have days outing, military bands and
luncheon tents being highly attractive in
| their eyes.
Mrs. Fraser and her daughters also be-
took themselves 70 the races, the eldest girl
| fully intending 20 win back her quondam
admirer, her sister being quite as deter
mined to get rid Of him.
The squire soon arrived. He was splen.
didly mounted and in high spirits, having
\ just heard that the hussars were ordered
on service.
He hoped that st. George would love and
| ride away in orthodox military fashion, y
or-ohi happy chance-he might be shotl
| He knew that the gallant hussar had the
| reputation Of being a lady killer Of the first
water, and he fondly hoped he was only
amusing himself-but he hated him all the
same.
It must be acknowledged that there were
| good grounds for the accusation hitherto
As 70 st. Georges flirting propensities, the
handsome soldier would ask a fair one 70
waltz as If the happiness Of his life de-
pended on that particular dance, and wher
the regiment got the route and brought
their Irritation TO a sudden close, he would
say "adieu" with the air OF martyr going
60 the stake, demeanor which intensely
delighted his brother officers, who thought
his conquests feather in the regimenta
cap.
AS the squire now saw him ride past, II
full racing costume, looking every inch the
perfection Of a gentleman rider, and
marked the bright smiles with which Mari,
Fraser greeted him, he felt furious.
Setting spurs TO his horse he cleared
high fence near in such splendid style as Il
elicit the admiration Of the bystanders
We'll done, squire, It's yourself can d'
itW shouted one, Galway for everr
roared another, and amid a chorus of com
pliments from his admirers the squire gal
loped Off
But just then the racers were rushin,
up, and he only reached the winning pos
in time 70 see 81. George make good fin
ish and win the race.
That evening she squire returned 70 hi
hotel in a detestable humor, and, instea
Of the jovial laugh that usually announce
his arrival, he maintained a gloomy s.
lence. Indeed, his man assured the societ
J in the servants hall that he really mus
: resign his Office If that Galway feller di
not use more polite langwidge."
But Mr.. kerwan, however angry
! might be, was not a man easily discoui
aged He believed very much "a the powe
Of perseverance, and next morning
called at Mrs, Fraser's house TO offer her
box at the opera, and he was tolerably SUI
/, she would invite him to escort them Their
The page who opened the door said th
ladies were out, but on being presente
with half crown remembered they woul
soon return, and asked him 70 walk up
the drawing room. The polite youth ha'
, ing shown him up stairs, stole out
g spend the money, and kerwan remaine
a quietly waiting until the young ladies {
their mamma returned.
The folding doors Of the room wei
closed, and he soon heard the sisters con
< home and run up stairs into the ne,
!. room They were speaking Of dance
which they had gone the previons evening
and at which ST George had not put in a
70 appearance
q The squire was quite close to the doc
y and did not lose one word Of their conve
a sation
h He heard Miss Fraser say, REAL
. Maria, you should try not to look so woeb
N gone-peopie will remark il; and, beside
% am certain Mr.. St. George fully intend,
h going to the dance. Something has pF
" vented his doing So"
,a "lf he wished To 90 he would have be,
,r there" replied poor Maria; 81 fear he do
"a not really care for me, and is only amnsir
rs himself Unless be comes this evening