The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-07-13

ter with a little scream of delight.
"Only think, John! Lady Ormiston
is in Melbourne and wants me to go to
lunch to-day. Come -arly!" she says.
you know how much l wanted to get
in with the Omissions, and they're sup
posed to be so proud! just fancy, and
to lunch! Won't Mrs. Fitroy be mad.
nly"-doubtfully- doesn't say
anything about you, Minnie. wonder
what I'd best do"
"Of course you must go alone, NAM
ma" replied Minnie, with unexpected
alacrity. "It would never do to take me
if I'm not asked. Though did want to
see Lady Ormiston, tool"
Half an hour later Miss Burton had
driven off, arrayed in splendor, Mr.. Bur-
ton reentered the sitting-room, where
his daughter sat reading.
minnie, my dear" he began, and
there was unwopted hesitation in his
manner, 81 am going out to see some
friends and may be detained to lunch
Do not wait for me, my child, and--er--
on no account go out alone. Your moth
er or l will return early and take you
to the museum or some other place of
rational and innocent recreation. You
will be very careful. my child, especial
ly on such a day as this. Alas! / fear
Melbourne is such sinful city"
The door closed. and Minnie was alone.
Suddenly her countenance underwent a
marvellous change. The color rushed
into her pale cheeks; she sprang up and
clasped her hands. ITS too good to be
true!" she cried. Then she ran to her
bedroom and donned with trembling
fingers an elaborate costume prepared
in secret anticipation of this great day.
Il never thought it would all happen
so simply" she thought, as she fastened
delicate spray of orchids in her gown.
Then she stole downstairs and eau
tiously opened the street door. Cnac-
customed to the busy scenes OF a city
life. she drew back half frightened,
when a hand was laid on her arm, and
turning, she saw well-known face
smiling down into hers.
It's all right! I've settled every
thing" Jack Lestrange said, briskly
Now for cab; but come out of sight
of the house. All out? Why, that's too
good to be true."
"That's what l said," she exclaimed
ripping over with glee, 'but they're
gone, all the same, mother to Lady Or.
miston and father to lunch with friends
And now. Jack, dear, you and are go.
ing to the races, and you'll show me
how to put on the Tote and every.
thing, won't you?"
They were only naughty children
after all, these two very young people
and they We're as happy as if they were
,ruants from school, as they bowled
quickly along to the course.
"Caards for the rices Cards for the
rices. Now, then, Idly. this way for the
tote, Idly, and (eonfidentially) don't you
lay on Heatherbelle. She amt got nc
stayin' power in 'er, that's wot l say
Very pretty and fl.sh-like, but Strad
brooks the hoss for Yer money"
All this came from bare-legged
gamin as they hurriedly made their way
to the grand stand. Minnie, under he1
escorts guidance, had been speculating
pretty heavily on Robin Hood, COM
parativcly unknown horse, and was be-
ginning to quake as to the results of her
venture.
Stradbrook was the favorite, and as
she watched his opening her heart sank.
Robin was midway in the field almost
unnoticed among his peers; but grad
ually, inch by inch, as it seemed, he
stole away until one after the other he
had passed all save two; then, with a
great dash, he came up to Stradbrook
and now commenced the true excite
lnent of the run.
Neck by neck they strove until it
seemed as though the race would end in
II tie. Every eye was turned towards
the winning post, and in an intense
silence the spectators watched for the
fatal moment. Now Stradbrook will
win-he is drawing ahead-but no
with one supreme effort Robin has come
up with-has passed him-and reaches
the goal victor by quarter of length.
The spell which had held the vast mul-
1itude breathless was broken. Minnie
heaved deep sigh and looked around.
80! it was wonderful" she ex-
claimed, but the words died on her lips.
There-not six yards away, in the midst
of a circle of friends, eagerly comparing
notes on the fortunes of the day, sat her
mother. Their eyes met and dropped
as guilty as il criminals detected in a
common crime.
80, Jack, take me away" she whis-
pered, and following the direction of her
glance young Lestrange silently obeyed.
Mrs. Burton had risen, and in another
moment her hand was on the girls arm,
where it fell limp and powerless. Sam
uel Barton himself stood before them
with blanched lips and starting eyes
In his hand he held ''caard" and a
friend by his side was chatting him on
his ill-luck. Mr.. Lestrange turned to
his companion.
81 think, Minnie," he said, sweetly
that your father seems rather ill. Per
haps we had better call cab for him? p
Tl..- x<