The San Francisco call., 1905-02-19
Copyright by S. S. Mcclure Coz

Il ana ESoN Aoises 4oNSs sbiSAS III
aud speed. Because of these
/ things this story.
But il did rot start this way; not by
q great deal. At first it was only ban
ter. That was the way Beth looked at
it-Beth Cavendish. If Douglas Slade
was more in earnest that was his fault.
He was in indigo, up in Tirhoot, 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 were 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 ] have said, ii was all on his side
That was the atmosphere when they
said these things. 1t was in Calcutta.
He had really been skirmishing for an
opening-so blunderingly that she
knew IT,
Marriage and the before is not re-
nance she said. looking very earnest
~ through the window and out across
the sun-scorched maidan that stretched
away 10 the stone feet Of Fort William
It's dreadfully commonplace; it's al
Is there no romance of love, then?''
he said, feeling that some strong moves
were being made on the chessboard Of
their little game.
I suppose there is-of love; but we
don't associate love with most of the
marriages we see, you know; they are
arranged andRthe result is"
He waited fer 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
mas presence; so he added: "Disas-
trous, eh2"
Not always, Of course. Now. if II
We're the old days, the old times when
men rode forth TO battle for the ladies'
they loved, or said they loved. ii might
De olnerent- Then a man had to dare
and do much 10 prove his love. Now
II simply a matter of arrangement -
Slade thought hopelessly of his posi-
ton He might vow to raise more indj-
go than any other man in his district.
but that would hardly appeal to this
maid of wariike race. His chances
were limited. He would willingly un-
dertake 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 ex-
change for the pleasant existence she
led. Why should she go TO live at his
stupid old bungalow up in Tirhoot,
simply because he desired it-loved her.
If you Will? She had sadly demolished
his skirmishing line, but he must re-
treat with a light heart, conceal the
dull little gnawing with banter
Yes" he said, IF we lived in those
days, or those days We're now. ] might
take your glove, tie it to my helmet-l
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 receive my re-
ward. BY JOye. I'd do it quick enough.
though" he added, more TO himself
than 10 his companion.
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"
NO; no chance he admitted. trag-
ically.
Are you going to win any races in
Calcutta next neeting?" she broke in.
changing the subject abruptly. as
though his last words had settled the
other for AL time.
no, I'm afraid I can't even win a
race. My horses are all crocks-not
one above selling platter form"
A merry light danced in Be-h's eyes.
Had she laid trap for him? You
shall be nay knight-errant then. I'll
give you task. Win me the Bally-
gunge Cup"
please" he begged. THE moon, for in
stance, or Buddha's tooth from Cey-
lon. Any little bauble you may think
Of"
MY knight rides not forth to battle
to-day, them" said Beth
''Oh, I'll try it, of course" he added,
flushing little; try it. and not a hack
in my stable fit to pun a dog-cart.
Only don't pluck q fellow if he fails,
that's all. But 1 must have gage-a
modern gage in black and white"
The getting of the gage was too
tedious for telling. but 1t read:
'If Douglas Slade wins the next Bal
lygunge steeplechase, promise TO-
and there she stuck.
He filled in. with his own hand, Re
ward him"
you know she said. as he folded it UP
neatly.
Yes, PIi 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 pleas
Gntly 70 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 I have failed
before with the best horse that ever
came to India. And the Cavendish
knew couldn't win it when she set me
the pace"
Then he grabbed a lifeline that dan
gled down into his sea of despair. The
lifeline was Captain Frank johnson.
he was standing at the door of the
hotel.
BY Jovei" said Slade, you're just
the man | want, Johnson. If there's
anybody On earth, or anywhere else,
that can help me out OF this pickle.
may be-
Up IN his room he told johnson what
he hao undertaken TO do. The captain
Whlstieo merry note of derision.
do you know what you've run up
against2" he asked. Lord Dicks got
Musket, big winner at Punchestown,