Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-16
THE RICHMOND DIsPATOH-sUNDAY. DECEMBER le 1884,

Just past has freshsned me conslucrao,y
for the long race. You VIII run Win me-
won't your
"Yes, II you don't run away from me.
Let's rub down nrst."
So. arm in arm, they disappeared under
the stand to emerge at the sound Oh ,he
bell. the favorites among ten competto's'
The race was long and devoid OF IN
terest. The final squirt aroused .ne
crowd to a high pitch. but murmur OF
disappointment arose when the JUICES
declared the race to be Tie between ,ne
two Ieaders-Hyfe and Shelton. breath-
ing rather heavily. they prepared to run
again. and after the requisite time for
rest. they started at the pistol shot. 1t
was another exhibition of sideiby-sfde
running until they reached the three
quarter mile post, then. for some reason
unknown to all. the scarlet by almost
in,percep,ible degrees fell behind. Whiie
with batsd breath the vast assempiage
watched the contestants, a long, nine
form. cleaning like q meteor as the sun
rays shoue upon its yellow stripes,
bounded over the fence nearest the cir
cus.ground, crept under the ran whicn
enclosed the track and stood as III dazeu.
directly In front OF the purple-and-whlte
runner.
A cry of horror burst from every
throat Men shuddered. Women fainteu'
Neither of the racers had as yet oo-
served the tiger as II crouched upon tne
ground. nervously lashing its powerful
tail 10 and fro as he watched tnem
coming steadily toward him.
A hatless. bloodstained man rushed
across the front of the grandstand.
"a pistol For Gods sake! He's
man-eater!
a rroan came from the mass of be-
ings above. now in terrible panic
stricken disorder. Not weapon could be
found.
suddenly, with a cry that shelton never
forgot. HYDE shouted: LOOK ahead,
George! Turn for your llfe!'
Shelton gave one swift glance along the
track and saw creeping toward him the
terrible striped beast. He never swerved'
and while the crowd yelled like fends
10 warn him, he rushed past the tiger
with increased speed. With growl that
sounded above the discordant cries or
the frantic men and women. the pow
erfII animal leaped after him with long,
easy bounds. keeping close behind him'
playing with him as q cat with mouse,
and watching for a favorable opportunity
for final spring.
Shelton. running now for his life. looked
down the last few yards OF the track,
seemingly as many miles In length, ana
saw that the door OF the judges stand
was open With that az goal. ne talrly
few over the ground. while behind hlm'
steadily. relentlsssly, came his new coh-
petltor.
tention to Hyde.
watch Hydep'
HYDE. fighting against jealousy which
he could hardly repress, did not feel
kindly toward Shelton when they passed
tina. three-quarter-mile post with the pow
erful '93 man ahead He wished all sorts
Of vindictlva wishes as he thought or
Marion. But when his eyes fell upon
that long. sinuous. striped body ana ne
realized that his rival was doomed, ne
remembered even IN that moment OF hor-
ror his words TO the girl whom they both
loved.
81 would willingly sacrifice anything FOR
you" lie must prove his assertion.
With every muscle strained TO us Ut
most. running with all the speed OF when
he was capable, Hyde bounded down the
short stretch between him and the huge
cat which was rapidly gaining on Shei-
ton.
a
at rTvdei Look - WIDE"
Nearer, nearer still. came that scarlet
figure az he had never run before. Ten
feet elght feet, five feet, now the long
tail brushed Arthurs outstretched hand;
a sudden throwing forward Of his shout
ders and while yell hardly human
greeted his action, Hyde almost faintin9
with the strain OF his fearful exertion
raised his arm and brought down Ms
clenchel fist upon the tigers neck los'
his balance. and fell headlong, sliding ten
feet along the ground with his terrible
impetus.
When the erraged brule with snar
turned upon the defenceless hero, the peo
pie understood for the first time Hyde
motive.
Women screamed and covered their eyei
10 shut out the sight; men, helpless, ahC
unable 20 assist, rushed to the 'front.' o
the stand.
A few with clubs AMI fence rails started
toward the track. Hyde tried to regaii
his feet. but failed; his tight leg wa
| broken. A moment later blow iron
/ the terrible paw laid him senseless.
4 shout-a puff Of blush white smoke
| and the massive head o. the rnan-eate
| fell across the laceratea chest OF his vic
| tim. A Winchester rifle had done 1t
work. but It's bearer came too late.
Tenderly. as a mother lifts her child
strong hands raised the crushed an
| bleeding form Of '9fs noble champion
| They took him 10 the dressing-room anl
| laid him upon the hoor while Shelton
for whom he had given his life, held hi
! head upon his lap Half dozen doctor
bsnt over his form, and under the IN
| 1uence Of their treatment he opened HI
| eyes His voice could hardly be heard a
| he whispered:
| "Is Shelton safe?"
| Here I am, old fellow"
The dying man raised his eyes to tn
| face above him. Then, summing up a.
Of his fast-iepartlng enersy, he said:
| Thank Gro, George. Marlon-wiil b
glad. all 1t for hei. She-ls-a-nobl
| woman, George. I-hOpe-you-will-bo
| be-happy." His voice vas scarcely au
| dible now. and his deep gray eyes ha
| closed "For-Marion s-sake!'
| A rush OF blood choked further utter
| ance; '9fs champion had run his last race
| and the blue-eyed, golden-haired girl VIII
pressed her trembling lips to his blood
stained forehead rose with her purpl
and white dress spotted with the scarle
| OF his life-blood, the emDlem1tic color
his class Of '9i.
Where II Went.
| Crruth)
Aldershot: How did Cameron lose al
| his money! ,,
| Bagley: Why, he invented a machln