Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-05-31

so. You bonded re.iows have to be
pretty careful of your sporting trans
actions" He frightened up again
and whispered hoarsely in my ear in
stage fashion: However. in this in
stance you had better take a chance:
let some friend put 1t up for you; say
some wise relative. for instance. A
hundred or two lost would not damage
you much. and few thousand gained
would be ambrosia and nectar" He
winked cunningly.
Once more told him that I could
not violate my traditions, and he
shrugged his shoulders: and away he
went at Eagle Boy speed himself.
doubtless hot on the trail of some of
his particular cronies to whom he
could break the glad tidings. For
when Bruce had a chance to do his
friends what he thought was a favor
he did not let the grass grow under
his feet until he had done it. 1t was
one of the traits that lay back of his
popularity. OF course sincerely
hoped he would win, but / was always
afraid that his recklessness would
some day get him into trouble.
The afternoon upon which the race
was run will forever remain scared
upon my memory. / had been wise
enough to put in my order long in al
vance at fashionable stable, and as
a result my two-wheel outfit was about
as neat as could be found anywhere.
AS drove up to Mrs. Dace's with the
silver-mounted harness glittering in
the sun and the cob arching his neck
and tapping the boulevard with his
polished hoofs as daintily as dan
cling girl, experienced much the
same sensations as does a schoolboy
on the first day of his long vacation
when life as well nigh endless prim-
rose way stretches before him in a
vista glorious to contemplate. was
at the full tide of youth and hope.
Charged to the full with health and
vitality, desperately in love with and
half accepted by one whom l thor.
oughly believed to be the most beau
tiful woman in the world, l shook my
fist defiantly In the teeth Of the grin
ming specter of my lack of money
And realizing my domination for the
day the specter cringed and fed be
fore me.
The great migration Of the day was
in full movement Automobiles were
whizzing past honking like flights OF
wild geese. victorias and traps. drags
and tallyhos streamed behind them In
an endless procession. 1t was life
teeming and exultant. The world was
on parade dressed in its best clothe:
and with its pockets lined with money
and right royalty did Il proclaim the
fact, its headache Of the morrow al
unthought-of thing.
Mrs. Dace came down in a creation
l had never seen before. but whicl
fairly made me gasp with delight.
shall make no attempt to describe II
but the general impression It gave ms
was of fleecy clouds in which wer'
blended delicate and changeful rain
bow tints that came and fitted lik'
summer shadows. She seemed rathe
Il
t. float than walk, and when gav'
her my hand at the curb and she aros'
from It to the high seat with the light
ness Of a feather, I could scarcely be
lieve that she was made of warm, firm
flesh. The aggressiveness of her beau
ty challenged nearly every eye tina
we passed, the men -ecraning thei
heads for a longer look, the womel
searching h"r enviously. In my prid
of her and the enthusiasm of the me
ment whispered in her ear that sh
was the most beautiful woman In al
the world and that loved 3ner deare
than my own life. My reward wa
smile and fash Of her wonderful
eyes.
81 am glad you think so. Tom, eve
though of course you are wrong. An
1t is sweet of you to be so devoted I
me. am really very happy to be wit
you" My fingers frightened about tn
reins and my teeth clenched. In m
heart swore that she should becom
mine though the heavens fell.
We turned into the crush where tn
converging boulevards emptied thei
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