Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-05-09

said Leola. Every where / go / hear
your praise sung. Even the old
woman I have just left spoke Of you
as If you were her son.
Because I happened to give her
half a pound Of tea" laughed Cyril.
'You didn't give Lord Beaumont
half a pound Of tea"
do you disapprove of my friend
ship with Lord Beaumont" asked
Cyril IF So
IF what?" she asked, pouling.
Il would"
He paused. and Leola pettishly
struck the mare with her dainty whip.
The mare started and threw back
her ears.
Take care" cried Cyril.
"Oh," said Leola, there is no cause
for caution. She is as quiet as
lamb. l am going to take her for a
gallop I am sure she Is quite to be
trusted Let me show you, and be
fore Cyril could stop her she touched
the mare lightly and started of.
Cyril gathered his reins in hand and
called after her but Leola, thoroughly
piqued by his taciturnity, would not
heed him. and looking back with
light laugh, almost of defiance on her
lips, gave the mare the Teins.
She had taken advantage Of her in
struction, and sat her seat perfectly,
and. on steady. reliable horse,
would have been quite tlfe.
But Cyril did not consider the mare
either safe or reliable, and as soon
as she started he pushed his horse
into I gallop after her,
They rode thus, she leading and be
following across the moor for some
distance, and Cyril was unconcerned.
but presently a flight Of rock rose in
from Of the mares path she took
offense, and increased her pace. and
Cyril saw her swerve for a moment
and then rush on with a nervous, hur-
ried pace.
He spurred his horse forward to
overtake her; but the mare was
thoroughbred and swift, aud the horse
he rode much heavier, to say nothing
Of his weight in comparison with
Leolas S; and he noticed that, al
though he and his horse did their
Best, the mare gained upon them.
With anything but a blessing upon
Philip Dyce's head, be struck in the
spurs and followed in pursuit.
The sound of the horses hoofs
seemed to brighten the mare, and she
quickened her pace. 1t was not so
much gallop as a wild scare.
Bending forward in the saddle, and
riding his hardest, Cyril called out
earnestly.
Keep her well in ham,"
And LeoIa hearing his voice,
turned her head.
In the clear. midday light Cyril
could see her face distinctly. and the
sight struck him TO the heart. LeoIa's
face was white and set and he knew
that the mare had got the bit between
her teeth.
With heavy slash Of his whip he
bore down in pursuit, and as he did
so the mare swerved slightly to the
left. It was small deviation from
tbs line, but It meant great deal
for now, instead II bearing toward the
park, she was making FOR the open
road, and between her and Il yawned
a gravel pit, which she might see and
avoid, but which, If she did not, would
assuredly swallow her and her rider.
Cyrii's heart seemed to stand stiu
for moment as his horse tore on.
he Suddenly pulled up, and made de-
tour 10 the right
At the pace the mare was going. It
was hopeless to attempt to overtake
her, as The sound Of his horse behind
her only served to accelerate her
pace.
There was only one chance LETT
He might by dint Of hard riding
reach the edge Of the pit before the
mare. and so eat her Of from certain
death and destruction TO her and her
rider
AS he thrust his spurs into his
horse, he looked at the mare. Sac
had most certainly bolted, and so far
as control went. Leola might as well
have been a doll as a human being.
Setting his teeth hard Cyril slashed
at his horse, which seeming to under
stand what was required. few over
the short turf
But hard as he few the mare seen.
ed to gain ground. The broken lines
Of the frail fencing round the pit
grew distinct, the mare was rapidly
approaching them. her head set low.
her evil temper n full revolt.
Leola still retained her seat. but
her white face was turned toward him
imploringlv, She uttered no sound
but the set lips and wide oren eyes
showed that she knew and appreciated
her danger.
Cyril had ridden many race for
life in the bush, but never such a one
as this.
III l were only on that beast Of
mare" he groaned once. but that was
all of mGrmur or complaint.
Leaning well forward he lashel
and spurred. The fence grew nearer
and nearer
A minute would decide IT,
Suddenly the mare seemed to see
and appreciate her danger. She
threw up her head and flung back