Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-04-02

Keichiine saw his chance. He would
drive by, Their turn and head Off the
fugitives. With whip and voice he
urged his horse into a great burst OF
speed, n In q moment he was right
alongside.
Thought you was going TO run away
from me. did yeh? Heigh? Think you
can beat me with that little runt OF a
boss, do yeh? Heigh?" he sneered
almost In Jim's ear. The two men We're
SO near together that they could have
touched each other.
Then IL was tina Jim Farthing'sscolt
showed the stuff that was In her. As
IL catching for the first time the spirit
of the ace. she let out a burst of
speed that astonished even her owner.
Neck and neck they raced. the little
mare n the long geiding. Karl, ex-
cited now TO fever pitch and boiling
mad, jerked at the reins and urged and
stormed, and the lank beast with
mighty strides swung along like a gil
raffe. Jim spared whip and voice, but
he held the colt firmly in hand, and
watched eagerly for something TO hap
pen.
He had not long to wait. Suddenly
Rose gave a cry.
The bridge; remember the bridge.
We're almost there The excitement
OF the race made her forget all else.
The bridge, u wooden affair wide
enough for only one sleigh, stood near
the lower end of the valley. 1t would
be the goal. Keichllne heard the cry
of the girl. and realized the danger
the same instant as Jim. He broke into
whoops like q Comanchee.
'Ha-a-a-y, Bin" he yelled. "Ha-a-
n-D-n-a-xp tharaF ia mt Eaf an
Get ap, Hay-a-a-a-a-a-y!
The gelding sprang TO his utmost.
Steadily he began to nose ahead OF
the mare. Jim did his level best, but
he could not equal hat steady, onward
rush that was putting him foot by foot
into the rear. The great horse was
swinging along with ten-foot strides
pitiless as a machine. He was a neck
ahead,-half a length, n gaining with
every bound.
Then something happened.
"Here!" came the command so sud
den and eager that ii startled jim.
Give me them reinsl Quick, there!
Quick, There was something in the
ton and manner of the girl that com
PEELED instant surrender. Jim passed
In reins over like n woman, and she
took them like a man. She was in her
element, The thrill and excitement of
the contest had entered her soul; for
the moment there was nothing In the
whole world but this single race: and
the little mare must win.
Instantly there was a change in the
driving. That nameless thrill that
flashes between horse and pockey went
~quivering Town the reins into the
struggling little racer. The girl had
suddenly sprung into life. Jim watched
her like one fascinated. She had
thrown back her wrap and hood, and
and now she leaned far over, her
bare hands clutching the reins,
her hair fiuttering about her face,
and her slim body tense with
rolled and pitched like a thing
OF life, but she rode as If she were a
part of 1t. as IL the reins were steel
rods holding her in place.
Then arose above the road Of hoof
and sleigh the wild cry of the jockey
that shrlll, penetrating falsetto heard
every racetrack at critical instants,
a cry that goes TO the heart of q strug-
Cling racer like liquid fire.
Hi, hi! hi-e-e-e-e-e-e-e! Hi! hi! hi!
hi-e-e-e-e-e; Hi! hi! hi! Hi-e-e!" The
little horse fiattened herself almost to
the ground and put out the very last
ounce that was In her. She gained back
her loss In 20 strides, and then nosed
inch by inch ahead Of the great gelding.
who was rolling M swinging like a
runaway.
Head straight out, heels smashing
snowballs into the dashboard, flew the
little mare. Great chunks of ice n
snow tipped spitefully about the girl,
but she was utterly obllvious OF all save
the flying horse.
Now it was a neck ahead, now half
a length-Jim almost yelled in his ex-.
element, but the girl gave no sign of
NY AtfnNN Chn vn n- annI - -
her whole soul was centered on the
little mare; and the horse knew il.
The bridge was just ahead, coming
like an express train, and she held the
center OF the road as true as a die.
Karl Keichline, yelling now and ever
cursing, was on his feet In furious
He leaned far over the
dashboard n screamed at his horse.
yanked out the whip and began to
play 1t ~furiously. Sharp and thick fell
the cruel blows. Then, with a mad fling
OF the head, the gelding gave up, broke
a rocking gallop, and fell a length
the sleigh.
He had lost.
There was nothing for Keichline to
but TO pull down his horse by main
strength and prevent him from crash
ing into the bridge rail. But furious
with anger he continued to ply the
whip.
'Hurrah!" yelled Jim, more excited
he had ever been before In his
life. "Hurrah, we've peat him.
''Hurrah!" echoed the girl, still alert.
but with an excitement as great as his
own.
Its you; It's all YOU he cried gen
erously. II never could have beat him
There ain't another girl In the
world could have done It," There was
no time for reply for at that instant
came a sickening crash from behind.
What's THAR" h wheeled instant
ly.
Guess he's hit the bridge" he re.