River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-07-16

After all. the lace for the Crystal
stakes was a good deal like most other
races. but to TWO people up in the grand
stand il seemed as if those horses would
never appear around the curve of the
home-stretch. But n last, IL cloud of
dust, they came sweeping along. the
blue aud canary of the favorite about
third in the bunch, and the peacemaker.
rank outsider. leading by nearly a
length. The crowd pressed up to the
railing. and dull, continuous murmur
arose as they urged on the horses they
had backed; there were passionate APP
peals for the favorite and his Jockey to
win: but Sir Ronald responded gamely
to the call of his rider and shot beyond
his companions, locked with the pace
maker neck to neck, and passed heI-|
the favorite had won.
Billy Carstairs lit his cigar after din
ner and went out alone into the garden
to think it all over, his nerves were
somewhat shaken by the excitement of
the day, and he wanted to dream awhile
and build castles in the air.
1t was late and the dew was falling
when he was aroused from these pleas
ing meditations by the fact that his
cigar had gone out and the sound of a
woman's voice close at hand; there was
another, too, after a moment-a mans;
IL was curious voice. quick, low
spoken, uncultivated. but withal, kind
ly. Carstairs did not mean to listen;
he was sorry they had disturbed his
peaceful solitude. but his cigar had
gone out and the night was growing
chilly. He thought they would walk
away directly and he could go in doors,
but the next words kept him rooted to
the spot.
Begging your pardon, MISS" the
mans voice was arguing, "but I've my
reputation; another such decision on
your part would do me great harm; we
gave away the race; the filly was never
more lit than she was to-day. Every.
one knew 1t, and there was no boastine
ab q her. Why. I've trained for you
going on four years, Miss Clara, and
your poor father 20 years before, but i
never hac setback like this-beggiDg
your pardon, but can't undertake your
horses any longer; this is the last
straw; i am getting old, and my pa
thence isn't what it was. I've some
pride, you know, and il goes hard with
me to see the hours and the weeks |
have spent--all for nothing-and me
the laughing stock of the stable"
Carstairs could see, through the trel.
lis, the wrathful face of the speaker.
Now, now, John, don't be cross with
me! have very good reasons for with
drawing Princess Bonnie, and if pay
you and give you an interest besides
why should you care what the reasons
are? l did not covet the stakes; IL my
stable pays, it is all I ask. cant let
you go, John. Why, where would find
so faithful an old friend? / couldn't
trust anyone else to train my horses"
The garden chair was pushed back
across the gravel with sudden grating
noise, and Clara Chalmers walked
around the little arbor and looked in,
to see Carstairs sitting there still with
his cigar firmly held in his fingers;
there was silence for an instant; il was
almost impcrceptible; then she said
gently: "lou can go. John" and stood
there waiting until the old mans foot
steps had died away; then she turned
back and confronted Carstairs.
"You have heard ?" she asked. simply.
II couldn't helpit. 1t is truth. then ?"
He went up quite close to her and l.. id
both hands very lightly upon her Shout
ders.
"Iou are the owner of the Oakdale
stable, of Princess Bonnie--of-"
She walked away, laughing nervous
ly-half defiantIy.
81 am a southern woman, Mr.. Car
stairs. / think. perhaps, we have a
little more sentiment for home ties
than you have up north; we like TO cling
to old associations. / was born and
bred at Oakdale; it was my fathers
breeding establishment i'm Virginia, and
! grew up with bis colts. l ran wild
about his farm ana knew nearly as
much about horseflesh and loved il Just
as dearly as he did. He died two months
after | had lost my husband, and IL
could not stay there any longer. l.
could not bear il, so ! sold the old house,
but could not part with the horses"
She threw back her head as she finished
her explanation and met his eyes; but
the crimson in her cheeks betrayed how
bitterly she regretted the discovery.
''What. then, is it so appalling?" she
said.
"It-isn't-that," faltered Carstairs,
but that you should sacrifice-that you
should withdraw-give me moment
TO see things in their right light"
1t could not have teen so very long,
for when Phil Witherington came out
into the garden about Is minutes later
he saw that he had lost the widow for
ever. He formed his lips for an aston.
ished whistle, but he did not whistle;
ne only said:
"Well, if il isn't old Carstairs!"-
Outing.