The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-04-01

Keichline saw his chance. He would
drive by, then turn and head OF the
f%ugitives. With whip and voice he
urged his horse into a great burst Of
speed, and in q m he was right
alongside.
Thought you was going to u away
from me, did yeh? Heigh? Think you
a beat me with that little runt OF q
almost in Jim's ear. The two men We're
so near together that they could have
touched each other.
Then 1t was that Jim Farthing's colt
showed the stun that was in her. AS
II catching for the first time the spirit
OF the race. she let out a burst of
speed that astonished even her owner.
Neck and neck they raced. the little
mare n the long gelding. Karl, ex-
cited now to fever pitch and boiling
stormed, and the lank beast with
mighty strides swung along like a 81
raffe. Jim spared whip and voice, but
he held tho 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" h excitement
Of the ace made her forget all else.
enough for only one sleigh, stood near
the lower end Of the valley. It would
be the goal. Keichline heard the cry
OF the girl, and realized he danger
the same instant as Jim. He broke into
whoops II a Comanchee.
aHa-a-a-y Bill!" he yelled; "Ha-a-
Get ap! Hay-a-a-a-a-a-y!
The gelding sprang to his utmost.
he could not equal that steady. onward
rush that was putting him foot by foot
into the rear. The great horse was
swinging along with ten-foot strides
pltiless as a machine. He was a neck
ahead,-half a length, and gaining with
every bound.
Then something happened.
"Here!" came the command so sud-
den and eager that it startled Jim.
Give me them reins! Quick, there.
tone and manner OF the girl that com
PEELED instant surrender. Jim passed
the reins over like a 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 blu this single race: and
the little mare must win.
Instantly there was a change in the
driving. That nameless thrill that
quivering down the reins into the
struggling little racer. The girl had
suddenly sprung into life. Jim watched
her like II fascinated. She had
thrown back her wrap and hood, and
and now she leaned far over, her
bare hands %clutching the reins,
her hair fluttering about her face.
and her slim body tense with
energy. The sleigh jumped, and
rolled and pitched like a thing
of life. but she rode as if she were q.
part of it. as If the reins We're steel
rods holding her in place.
Then arose above the road of hoof
and sleigh the wild cry of the Jockey
that shrill, penetrating falsetto heard
on every racetrack at critical instants,
a cry that goes to the heart of a 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. Heel" The
little horse flattened herself almost to
ounce that was in her. h gained back
her loss in 20 strides, and hen nosed
inch by inch ahead of the great gelding.
who was rolling and swinging like a
runaway.
Head straight out. heels smashing
snowballs into the dashboard, flew the
little mare. Great hunks of ice and
snow tipped spitefully about the girl.
but she was utterly oblivious 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
emotion. h was as cool as steel;
her whole soul was conferred on the
little mare: and the horse knew it.
The bridge was just ahead. coming
like an express train. and she held the
center Of the road as true as a die.
Karl Keicbline, yelling now even
cursing. was on hig feet in furious
eagerness; He leaned far over the
dashboard and at his horse.
He yanked out the whip and began to
play it furiously. Sharp and thick fell
the cruel blows. Then, with a mad. fling
of the head. the gelding gave up, broke
into a rocking gallop, and fell a length
behind h sleigh.
He had lost.
There was nothing for Keichline to
do 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
than he had ever been before in his
life. "Hurrah. we've beat hint"
"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
alone. There ain't another girl In the
world could have done It," There was
came a sickening crash from behind.
Whats that?" She wheeled Instant
ly.
Guess he's hit the bridge" he 70
piled grimly.
CONTINUED Next Wesk.l