The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-15
TIE BALLYCUNGE CUP
By W. A. FRASER.
Copyright by S. S. Mcclure Co.


But it did not start this way; not
~ great deal. At first it was only
banter. That was the way Beth look
ed at it-Beth Cavendish. 1t Doug
las Slade was more in earnest, That
was his fault.
He was in indigo, up in Tirboot,
and the planters life tends to make
one take things more seriously than
they do IN the Service. For Beth
was of the army. Her father. who
WAS a general, and her brother, and
all the rest of the Cavendishes We're
OF the army. And there its strength
and speed and truth and just little
of love, perhaps.
As for the seriousness of the thing,
as i have said, it was all on his side
That was the atmosphere when they
said these things. 1T was in Calcut-
ia. He had really been skirmishing
for an openings blunderingly that
she knew it
Marriage and the before is not ro-
nance" she said. looking very earnest
ly through the window and out across
the sun-scorched maiden that stretch
ed, away to, the stone feet of Fort
William. It's dreadfully common
place; it's almost tragic in its dull
commentaries.
them" he said. feeling that some
strong moves We're being made on the
chessboard of their little game.
II suppose there is-of love- but
we don't associate love with most of
the marriages We see, you know; they
are arranged and the result is
He waited for her to finish the SEN
tence, watching the gray eyes as they
came back dropping a little from the
glare of the hot sunshine. But she
seemed to be picturing the result TO
herself and to have forgotten all about
his presence; SO he added 'Disas-
1rous Ell %
mot always. of course. Now, if
it were the old days, the old times
when men rode forth TO battle for
the ladies they loved, or said they
loved, it might be different. Then
man had to dare and do much to
prove his love. Now it's simply a
matter of arrangement"
Slade thought hopelessy of his po-
sition. He might VOW to raise more
indigo than any other man in his dis
trict. but that would hardly appeal
TO this maid of a war-like race. His
chances We're limited. He would Will
ingly undertake TO thrash anybody,
but there was nobody to thrash. He
felt quite bitterly that what she said
was true-there was little of romance
in his life, little that was bright TO
offer her in exchange for the pleas
ant existence she led. Why should
galow, up Tirhoot simply because he
desired it--loved her. if you will? She
had sadly demolished his skirmishing
line, but he must retreat with a light
heart, conceal the dull little gnawing
with banter.
yes" he said, 'if we lived in those
days, or those days were now, | might
take your glove, tie it to my helmet
] really forget how they did fasten
the gloves on-and go up and down
the land knocking people about until
you were quite satisfied with the
slaughter and called me back to re-
ceive my reward. BY Joye! I'd do
it quick enough, though" he added,
more TO himself than to his compan-
ion.
Beth smiled a little at this. and
said: 'You see, the fates are against
you: there's no chance for YOU to
show your devotion"
ically.
Are you going to win any races
in Calcutta next meeting?' she broke
in, changing the subject abruptly, as
though his last words had settled the
other for ali time.
mo, I'm afraid I can't even win Il
race. My horses are all crocks-nOt
one above selling platter form"
A merry light danced in Beths eyes.
Had she laid trap for him? You
shall be my knight-errant then. I'll
give you a task. Win me the Bally-
gunge Cup"
His face fell. Something easy,
please" he begged. The moon. for
instance. or Buddha's tooth from Cey-
Ion. ANY little bauble you may think
Of
MY knight rides not forth to battle
today, them" said Beth.
"Oh, I'll try it. of course. he add
ed. flushing a little; try it, and not
a hack in my stable fit to pull dog
fails, that's all. But / must have n
gage--a modern gage in black and
white.''
The getting of the gage was too
tedious for telling, but it read:
IF Douglas Slade wins the next
Ballygunge steeplechase. [ promise to
-" and there she stuck.
He filled in, with his own hand, Re
ward him"
you're to wear it on your casque.
you know" she said, as he folded it up
neatly.
Yes, I'll tie it in my racing cap
when I ride forth TO battle in the
Cup he said as he stood one foot on
the step of his high dog-cart, and
nodded pleasantly to Beth.
Now I'm in hat" thought Slade
to himself, as he drove to his hotel.
win the Ballygunge Cup with lot
of broken-down nags, when / have
failed before with the best horse that
ever came to India. And the Caven
dish knew ! couldn't win it when
she set me the pace"
Then he grabbed a lifeline that
dangled down into his sea of despair.
The lifeline was Captain Frank john
son. He was standing at the door Il
the hotel. If there's anybody on earth.
~ anywhere else, that can help me
out of this pickles you're the man, or
fiend. as the case may be-
Up in his room he told Johnson
what he had undertaken to do. The
captain whistled a merry note of de-
rision.
DO you know what you've run
up against ?" he asked. Lord Dicks
got Musket, big winner at Punches
town, out from home to land this same
bit of jewelry; and, bar him, there
isn't a horse in the country can beat
Jovial, who is in it, too
I'D transfer my horse, Chang, to