Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-12
THE LAST RACE.

guest night, but all the company had left
with the exception of one gentleman, whose
black coat and general bearing pointed him
out as not belonging to "the service"
He was standing at table with small
notebook in his hand, in which he quickly
entered some bets he had made on the gar
rison races which were to come off next day
As he did so he called out to an officer
who stood near the fire: EST. George, won't
YOU risk a pony on the hurdle race tomor
rowp
mo" replied the officer addressed; II
never bet on my own horse; only run him
to give the regiment an interest in the
race" So saying, Mr. st. George walked
ont of the messroom, followed by glance
by no means amiable from the civilian.
The latter was gentleman of good fam
ily and fortune in Galway, who was known
as the boldest rider and best judge of
horsehesh in that sporting country, both
of which qualifications caused him to be
regarded with immense respect by his
Young military friends, who listened
preedily to the words of wisdom, on stable
matters, which fell from his lips.
Not that the squire, as he was called,
cared at all to keep his superior knowledge
to himself. He was always good natured
ia 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 in every way. kerwan
was dark and middle sized, with loud, Oft
hand manners; st. George was tall, fair,
and had quiet unapproachable manner,
which always caused the former to feel at
a disadvantage. But another reason con
tributed to the squire's feeling of irrlta
ton. A certain young lady, Miss Fra
SER whom he intensely admired, showed
a decided preference for st. Georges soci-
ETY., and avoided his attentions, although
he was very rich and the soldier was poor.
Mrs. Fraser and her two daughters lived
| in a handsome house of their own, but
| they had but a 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 as an eligi.
BILE parti, while her sister thought him an
intolerable 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
man, their female belongings being glad to
have a days outing, military bands and
luncheon tents being highly attractive in
their eyes.
Mrs. Fraser and her daughters also be
a. ts,t ha 4 ha oil rir
fully intending to 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 ant
ride away in orthodox military fashion,
or-ohl happy chance-he might be shot
: He knew that the gallant hussar had thu
reputation of being lady killer Of the frs
, water, and he fondly hoped he was onl.
amusing himself-but he hated him all tn
same
1t lnust be acknowledged that there wer
good grounds for the accusation hitherto
As to st. Georges flirting propensities, tn
handsome soldier would ask a fair one Il
waltz as il the happiness of his life dc
pended on that particular dance, and whe
the regiment got the route" and brough
their Irritation to a sudden close, he woul
say "adieu" with the air of martyr goin
to the stake, demeanor which intensel
delighted his brother officers, who though
his conquests feather in the regiments
cap.
al AS the squire now saw him ride past, /
" full racing costume, looking every inch tn
r perfection Of gentleman rider, an
v marked the bright smiles with which Mari
A. Fraser greeted him, he felt furious.
"a Setting spurs to his horse he cleared
IN high fence near in such splendid style as
No elicit the admiration of the bystander
in well done, squire; it's yourself can
\. itp' shouted one; Galway for ever
b roared another, and amid a chorus of con
ar pliments from his admirers the squire ga
II. Hoped off.
as But Just then the racers were rushin
r.. up, and he only reached the winning pc
he in time to see St. George make good fl
nd ish and win the race.
no That evening the squire returned to h
hotel in detestable humor, and, instei
"a of the jovial laugh that usually announc'
on his arrival, he maintained a gloomy
H. lence. Indeed, his man assured the socie
in in the servants hall that he really mu
ve resign his office if that Galway Teller
es not use more polite langwidge."
,ys But Mr.. Kerwan, however angry
on might be, was not a man easily discou
cot aged He believed very much in the pow
Of perseverance, and next morning
called at Mrs. Fraser's house to offer her
box at the opera, and he was tolerably su
to she would invite him to escort them the
IN The page who opened the door said t
ladies were out, but on being present
/, with a half crown remembered they won
!" soon return and asked him to walk up
the drawing room. The polite youth, ha
Ied ing shown him up stairs, stole out
nod spend the money, and Kerwan remain
quietly waiting until the young ladies
their mamma returned.
The folding doors of the room VIC
avs closed, and he soon heard the sisters col
home and run up stairs into the ne
ain room. They were speaking of a dance
which they had gone the previous evenir
on and at which st. George had not put in
appearance.
sin The squire was quite close to the do
and did not lose one word of their cow
ing sation
He heard Miss Fraser say, Real
ycle Maria, you should try not to look so woe
gone-people will remark it; and besid
n a am certain Mr.. st. George fully intend
sec going to the dance. Something has ?
vented his doing So"
nan 'lf he wished to go he would have b.
sec there" replied poor Maria; II fear he d
not really care for me, and ia only amusi