Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-07-06

SN ASA AhS lily was az OlSC
thrown into great excitement. One
said that the race would be given to
the stranger Intentionally. another
tina when it should come off it would
be found to be with the intellect in
stead OF the legs, and in this case the
stranger would surely win. All sorts
of rumors were aloat, greatly exag-
gerated from those that had before
been circulated, as to the identity Of
the sutton. A few of her admirers
claimed for him a divine origin, hint
ing that he was the offspring of Mi
nerva, beside whose statue he had be.
gun his discourses, and that his moth
err had put in his head the words of
wisdom that came from his mouth.
At he other extreme were those who
upheld the theory that he was a freed
man.
That the race was to be q muscular
II was soon evident from prepara-
lions at the stadium for the event,
a large number OF extra seats being
put in for the occasion. 1t was ru-
mored that the king was so incensed
at the idea Of his daughters holding
such a contest with an unknown per-
son that he had consented to the race
only on condition that if she failed to
win she should be beheaded. Then
those who admired and loved her were
appalled, by an edict from the king
confirming this report Suppose that
by accident or temporary weakness
she should lose the race, she would
lose her head and they would lose
their princess.
Such a contest between these two
was enough to excite the citizens Of
the island, and when it was ordered
that the princess should lose her head
if she did o win everybody went
wild to obtain admittance to the sta
dunn where it was to take place. When
the gates were opened a throng at
once poured in that soon filed the in
closure. and they were closed again.
leaving a multitude without.
The princess and the philosopher
stood on the starting line. the princess
with a loose cloak about her to protect
her from the wind in lieu of the mod,
ern sweater. The philosopher wore
the same baggy garments in which
he had discoursed. When the order
was given to make ready the princess
threw off her cloak. while her antag-
onist DOTTED his upper garment and.
unloosening a cord about his waist.
dropped his neither covering on the
ground.
An exclamation of surprise greeted
his uncovered body. He proved to be
a combination Of bone and muscle.
without a particle Of super1uous fat.
Then anne a conflict of feeling
among the onlookers. Perhaps the
princess would lose the ace and her
head! Perhaps she would beat this
splendid combination of muscles work
ing under a soft white skin! What a
match between such a perfect MAI
and woman!
The stadium was an oblong affair
sunk in the ground, with stone seats
for the spectators. The terms Of the
race were that the contestants should
go owe the course on three laps, the
goal being the starting point. where
was also the royal box. The princess
showed an exhilaration or. rather, an
interest which clearly indicated that
she knew her fathers edict to be no
mere threat. 1t was a matter Of life
and death with her There was that
about the stranger to indicate conf
dence. None knew whether be would
doom to death the woman he desired
by winning the race. but the prevalent
belief was that be would win if he
could.
The signal was given. and the run.
ners were off like the wind. The stran-
ger slowly fell behind. then maintain
ed a trihinc distance When they pass
ed the starting point after the frs.
lap il was evident that both were put
ting forth every effort On the second
lap the stranger continued to lose, but
midway round began to gain. When
the point for the third lap was passed
the two We're neck and neck. The
princess breath "a noticed to be
COLuluR udFu, "u1le ludL VI ueI dutdS-
oniSt was improved.
The race was a long one, and when
the runner neared the goal they came
slowly the stranger in the lead, Then
it was seen that the princess was
staggering. Suddenly a cry arose from
the spectators The stranger. seeing
that their eyes were turned on the
princess. looked back and saw her lying
on the ground Though he was within
a hundred feet of the goal. he stopped.
went back to her and lifted her In his
arms. She was unconscious.
When the Princess Thesbia came to
herself. supported by her antagonist.
she appeared before her father, the
king. The stranger said:
20 king. | have not won the race
against your daughter; therefore your
royal edict does not condemn her. But
T voluntarily gave up the contest that