Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-31

regain his positions but unwitungiy tAf
harmless incident had changed the resuis
of the race. AZ he tnvoluntarily steadied
himself. the handkerchief held In readiness
for the victor slipped from his hand and
futtered down upon the grass.
It fell at the feet Of the gray mare. She
paused In sudden alarm, then hunched her-
self together and SHE'D away from II as
from ghost.
No harm was done. Clodagh kept her seat
without tremor, but in that second Of lost
time the cob drew level with his rival then
sailed triumphantly over the ditch.
For Milbanke there was moment OF
horrible suspense, and q succeeding relief
that drove all thought of the race and It's
result far from his mind Immediately the
ton and hurried to where Clodagh was
soothing the still frightened Polly.
Miss Clodagh,'' he began. II am SO sorry.
Clodagh was bending low over the mares
neck, her flushed face partially hidden:
She made no reply to his confused and
stammering speech.
are not angry? You don't think 1t was my
fault2'
Clodagh laughed a little TREMENDOUSLY.
'Of course not" she said. How can you
be 80 silly? hadn't her properly in hand.
that was ALL
Az she finished young Asshlin cantered
back. hating on the farther side OF the
ditch; His face was also flushed and his
Look here" he said, cycling Milbanke.
What did you mean by baking her like
that? What were you doing with your
beastly handkerchief Twas no race. cio."
But Clodagh looked up.
"Oh, yes. 1t was" she said. ut was all
my own fault; I hadn't Polly in hand. I
should have pulled her together and sent
her over with touch of the whip. Apollo
gize, Larry. Twas a fair race"
But Larry still hesitated. his glance
straying doubtfully from one face to the
other.
"Honor bright, Clo?" he asked at last.
Clodagh nodded.
"Then I'm sorry, SIR" he said, frankly,
"for saying what said"
Milbanke made a murmur OF forgiveness:
and a moment later Nance appeared upon
the scene, breathless and full Of curiosity. As
Larry entered upon a voluble account Of
lions, Clodagh wheeled the mare round and
trotted quickly across the fields in the d.
rection of the house.
For moment or two Milbanke stood
irresolute; then a sudden impulse to follow
the mare and her rider seized him, and,
ignoring Nance and Larry-still absorbed in
heated explanation-he took his way slowly
across the green and springy turf.
and methodical, and he had barely come
within sight Of the arched gateway Of the
yard when Clodagh reappeared-this time
on foot. The tail of her habit was tucked
under one arm, the struggling form Of an
Irish terrier was held firmly under the
other.
She came straight forward in his dlrec-
ton, and reaching him. would have passed
on without speaking. But he halted in
front of her.
Miss Clodagh." he said, "you are hurt
and disappointed"
Clodegh averted her eyes.
I'm not" she said, shortly.
"But see that you are"
mo, I'm not
"N1iss Clodagh, you are. Can't do some
thing|
Then at last she looked at him. Her
cheeks were burning and her eyes were
back
ut isn't the old race" she said. defiant
ly "Its-it's Mick" Two tears suddenly
welled over and dropped on the red head Of
the dog, who responded with an adoring
look from his beautiful eyes and wild
attempt to lick her face
ooh, I've had him since he was six weeks
DID," she cried, impulsively. Il reared him
and trained him myself. He knows every
word I say
Milbanke suddenly looked relieved.
'Is that all?" he exclaimed, cheerfu1ly.
us that all? Well soon put that right.
Keep your dog. I'll settle matters with
your cousin" He glanced back across the
fields to where Larry was walking the cob
to and fro.
But Clodaghs face expressed intense sur
prise.
but you don't understand" she said.
Mick was the stake. Twas fair race
and Larry won. Mick isis Larry's now.
He laughed a little.
"Oh, nonsense! You raced for fun"