Feliciana sentinel., 1892-08-27

"'You are much prettier in It than
Miss Oates Is in hera,' returned Henry,
warmly.
oh. yes!' said CAP, mockingly, much
prettier; but You don't want to see me
match my skill against her grace; but
will; and l will, win the whip and
gloves, SO now!
Then we will discuss the matter no
further
'Adios, then, senior, until this after
noon, and remember she called, as she
vaulted on Bret's back and turned to
go. after to-day mean to show that
dad has as much money rs anybody.
don't care for dress. but if yon do You
shall be pleased and with a saucy kiss
from her finger tips she rode away.
Il felt sorry for both. but knew it
would come out all right. In his sum-
'ners on his stock ranch, only two miles
away, Henry had seen Captola grow
yielded up all the strength of his great
heart to her; but as she was too young
to marry he was waiting for her. His
mother and sisters had come from the
Quaker clty to inspect the possible
addition to the family, and were horri
fed at her unconventionalities, par
ticularly her going about by herself.
The special grievance was over the
county fair.
Miss Oates and some of the city
girls were going to ride for the prize.
properly chaperoned. of course. Cap
tola suddenly decided that she. too.
would ride. The rules for entry re-
quired saddles, piece of furniture Cap
scorned, and besides her riding alone.
Henry feared that she would be de-
feated by Miss Oates, who was extreme
ly graceful in the saddle, and he knew
that would nearly break the child's
heart. He was not aware that Cap had
q thoroughbred Kentucky mare of her
fathers in training under saddle or that
she had added to her wardrobe an al
most conventional habit. Captola was
so nearly perfect that verify believe
she could have rid den on that saddle
standing on her head" and Uncle Zarah
stopped to chuclsle quietly at the re-
mem brance.
when afternoon came the fair
grounds were crowded. Half a dozen
young ladies' in prim black and bluc
cloth habits, chimney-pot hats. long
gauntiets and wells, which they wore
then. We're gathered near the judges
stand and their escorts were chatting
with them. waiting the order to clear
the ring.
Where ia your Lady Gay SpaniSer,
Henry?' asked his sister As he drove up
with his mother. Henry frowned
slightly, but before he could answer a
little buzz of comment called the at
tention of all as Captola rode up unat-
tended. She wouldn't even let me ride
my old cob beside her, 40 l was there
before her in the buggy.
Lord, but she was beauty. Her
slender black mare was as nettlesome
as could be, and tossed her long name
and tail impatiently as she obcyed that
little hand. with its touch of velvet and
grip of steel. Cap was as slim and
| willowy as a cottonwood saplng in her
elose-f3tting black velvet habit. She
had put up all her curls under little
black velvet hat, around which was a
long, black ostrich plume.
Miss Oates looked like a thunder
cloud. She had expected to see the
child on her little mustang and in the
old black calico habit skirt she usually
wore. Henry smiled and went to her
instantly with loving word, and
| knew the clouds had disappe ared for a
| time.
The tournament began: up and
! under the coppery sky the ladies rode.
then paused. The judges were unde-
cided. so they went through the PAGES
again. No decision. The ladies' would
please change horses.
Cap was OF Rondo in an instant,
but many of the ladies demurred Miss
Oates positively refused to mount any
| thing but her own thoroughly trained
animal. The contest narrowed to Cap
and two other p1ains-bred girls. but
even they dared not mount Rondo. Cap
| rode each of the six horses in turn. As
| she changed the seventh and last time
to Rondo she rode to me.
T ncle, don't You smell the prairie
ERE" she asked. uneasily.
YES replied; but it's across the
creek; it can't reach us
I was thinking of the schoolhonsc,'
she replied hurriedly as the judges
called School began in Henry district
yesterday, and his sister let her little
daughter go with Rose Williams to-
day. and then she rode into the ring.
Il looked at my watch-3:3o-then
over to the north. The smoke was
rolling up black and thick. could sec
an eating line of red. The sun was be-
ginning TO look like yellow haze and
the air was dense and heavy with the
odor of burned grass. II the wind
should rise-just then a puff lifted my
hat Yes, the schoolhouse was in great
danger if the wind veered point or
two. heard shout of pleasure and
turned to see the judge hand silver
mounted whip to Cap. She turned her
head to look al me, and over beyond me
saw the clouds of smoke. She brought
the whip down on the flanks of the
mare, and quivering with fright, Roudo
reached me in two leaps.
- The Gill schooihouse, easped Cap.
as she pointed with her whip.
ITO that moment the prairie fire. so
common thing, had not been noticed.
In moment all was confusion. Miss
Oates screamed, Miss Merriam. Hcnry's
sister. tainted and his mother turned