Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-14

81 should say, said Telvsfton, lie
had broken about every bone in his
body that can be broker-except his
neck. They're otT!" be added abruptly.
aid leaned forward, as in the scarcely
broken line Of mingled colors on the
riders backs the five horses swept for
ward, Immediately TO srread out fan
wise ever the field.
Neither Cynthia's nor Lesley's strain
ed gaze left the striped azure and white
cap and jacket, but Lesley could appre-
ciate, as the other could not, tie perfec-
ton Of that mastery Of his horse which
had made Ronald Kilmurray what he
was-the first gentleman rider probably
in the whole world.
AS he passed the winning post shout
Of admiration broke from the crowd,
and Lesley thrilled, for this was real.
and she could see and hear it, but South
Africa, with all its glorious deeds, was
far away, and she could never quite see
them. since he would not say one word
TO give them verisimilitude.
"Thank God that's safely overw said
Cynthia, signing deeply; then she
caught Hughie's intent gaze, and asked
herself how it was possible to obey Les
ley's orders ard seem to encourage this
obstinately faithful, uninteresting young
man, who was no more to her than any
dry stick.
Lesley had carefully studied him be-
fore giving Cynthia this advice, aud
cruelty came to the conclusion that he
was of that hardy sort which love does
not kill, but overeating may, and that
if Cynthia iiirted with him little, it
would not really hurt him, while her
conduct might have distinctly saluta-
ry effect ON RoIny--if be We're governed
by the ordinary rules of man, primitive
or otherwise.
'Oh, auntie" cried ont Lesley to
Lady Appuldurcombe, who, at the back
of tho coach, was little pale-she al
ways was when Kenny rode. Didn't
he do It splendidly:'
''Of course, my dear! But there was
so very little to do.
Her voice and manner were cold, and
now that the excitement of the race was
over she was able to revert to distinct
annoyance just then present in her mind.
Why were some of the men and few
of the women, emphatically the mas
ty" ones. whom Lesley could not en-
dure near -.er, smiling in that odd, dis
agreeable way when they looked at her?
Had Lesley-the poor lady squirmed in
wardly-been up to some new COM
promising, ii innocent trick, that she
did not know anything about?
For Lady Appuldurcombe had never
heard of that carly morning walk in
Covent Garden-it would have involv-
| ed explanations and inquiries as to the
absence of Lesley's maitland, like
most men, Ronny hated explanations
| of any kind.
When he 20. away from his friends
and tho weighing room, he made straight
| for YelvortCn's coach, without changing
| his clothes, and rs he drew nearer some
thing eager ard almost boyish showed
| i'll his usually quiet, reserved face, and
| when he was quite near sunshiny
smile, as ii irresistibly, broke over it.
| Ec did not see his pale mother; he
| did not SEQ Cynthia. He saw no one but
girl il gray coat, who leaned eager
| " down toward him rs he swung him
self ON TO tine wheel below and looked
up into her eyes.
"Well, Lesleyr' he said, either care
less or ignorant Of what his face told.
But before Lesley's eyes could answer
him cry from the back Of the coaci,
startled her, and she looked round to
see that Cynthia had tainted.
| TO BE Continued