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


out of his room that he nearly knocked
over young Witherington in the
corridor.
Carstairs was very quiet that night at
dinner; perhaps Mrs. Chalmers noticed
il. and thought he needed rousing, for
she suddenly became brilliantly gay; IL
seemed a nervous gayety at times; once
or twice herlow, soft laughter came rip
pling TO him across the flowers and :he
maze of the candle-iight; his eyes kept
wandering TO where she sat. with the
rosy glow on her dark hair and her slim
throat rising like a flower out of her
mourning draperies; he twisted the stem
of his wine-glass in his fingers and re-
garded it thoughtfully. Why hadn't he
spent more time cultivating the ways of
her world instead of in training hors rs
and studying betting books? She bad
more in common with Phil; they could
understand each other better. "She
thinks / prefer the smell of hay to the
perfuIned of ballroom" he told himself
with groan. ''and I haven't an idea in
my / d above a horse; well, l haven't
had until now; il she would give me
such an ass after all. but she can't seem
to think of anyone but Philip; he is a
good enough fellow. br do not under
stand what she sees a him"
Mrs. Chalmers did give Billy Carstairs
half a chance before very long, but it
was not entirely her doing. One day
Phil. lille riding his bicycle on the lake
drive, was knocked over by a runaway
horse. and his wheel had become en-
tangled in the wheels of the road wagon
and irretrievably wrecked. When he
was eXtri ated, unconscious, it was
found that he was quite seriously hurt
enough. anyway. to lay him up for
couple of weeks and to stop his golf and
his church-going with Clara Chalmers
for some time TO come. "And this"
MIR. Carstrairs inelegantly remarked
TO his confidant, the mirror, lis where
YOU do yourself proud" and forthwith
he and Mrs. Chalmers became very
good friends. while Witherington lay
upstairs nursing a broken head and
grumbling that his mothers guest
would certainly take her departure
Low, with no one to go about with her
but old Carstairs.
So Billy became quite devoted in his
church-going; and submitted so tamely
to being taken out to dinners and to golf
and garden fetes that he was surprised
at himself; but with all iier gracious
manners and friendly ways he noticed
how differently she accepted his atten
tions- With Phil she was on terms of
the most thorough understanding. She
@haffed him and challenged him, sent
him away when she was tired of his
society, and coaxed him back when she
wished 10 be amused. He wished she
would treat him with the same good
fellowship. "She seems to bottle up
her fine lady airs exclusively for me-"
he commented, disconsolately. "She
needn't keep me at such distance. ]
believe she is ma King use of me till Phil
gets Welt" And having come to that
fattering conclusion. Mr.. Carstairs took
TO spending long mornings at the
stables. and he took his cigar down TO
the bustling hotels in the village after
dinner when there We're men calling on
Mrs. Witherington's veranda.
Carstairs came in late 70 dinner one
night TO find that Phil had made his
first appearance downstairs. looking
rather weak and wan after his illness.
but in splendid spirits, and in seat
next to Mrs. Chalmers.
what do you think D. he called out
after his friend had made his apologies
for being behind time, "Clara is talk
ing of leaving, and she has got to stop
until after the Crystal stakes-hasn't
she, Billy? You must really" lie said,
turning to her. with twinkle ia his
eyes that had become little hollow
since the accident: lit is the last day of
the race meeting. and you must wait 80
see old Carstairs' horse drive the others
home
"YOu need not be so sure, nv son."
Billy answered, easily; my colt has a
pretty fair chance. Blount has been
training him thoroughly; he is in fine
shape. and the weight just suits him"
"What horse of yours is entered ?"
Mrs. Chalmers asked.
''Sir Ronald; he is a chestnut two
year-old."
do you really think he stands any
CHANGER"
She met his .Jes squarely as she put
the question, and the color came slowly
into her cheeks.
Carstairs felt a quick thrill of pleas
ure az the interest the query implied,
he thought how doubly anxious he
would be now for his jockey to land
his horse and the $4,000 purse.
win." he answered, lowering his gaze
TO the wineglass in his fingers. MY
trainer is not so sanguine; he told me
to-day that the race was virtually ours
but for one thing-there is dark
horse"
'Yes?' inquiringIy.
a filly that has been showing mar
velous speed in an inferior class of
horses, but with the handicap imposed.
and her present splendid condition. and
the mount she has. Blount SAYS she will
have a walk-over; all the stable saws so;
can't think why she is asked to carry
so little weight"
''And the name? ?" inquired Phil.
"Her name is Princess Bonnie"
81 beg your pardon, did do that?"
asked Witherington, suddenly. Mrs
Chalmers wiped the claret from her
slim white fingers and smiled.
mo, 1 spilled il; most careless of
me. Go on. Mr.. Carstairs; and SO they
believe she will VIM
well. that is the question" replied
Billy.
''Blount says Ronald can't give her
five pounds and beat her. and then
Crockett. who has the mount, is the
best lightweight jockey in the east"
''lNho owns Princess BONNER asked
Phil.
1.-The 0akdale stable. / don't know
the name of the owner / think John
Stephens, who trains for il, owns most
of the string. They are a good lot of
that's enough, old man;
we are boring your mother and Mrs.
Chalmers to death"
As they rose from the table Carstairs
held the door open for her to pass out
with her hostess.
Promise you viii stay?" he whis-
pered, with his eyes on hers. And Clara
Chalmers answered: 81 promise"
Ii was an ideal dag for horse race
There had been just enough rain dur
ing the night TO make the track fast,
and the crisp touch of autumn in the air
was inspiring to both horses and