Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-01-11
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q H@NG MXEAHY 6

Copyright, 1904, by w. r. Hearst.)
It was the race week at Marlahabad,
in India, and a motley crowd thronged
the course.
Stately Helen Lomax was there with
Mrs. Milford, the collectors wife. AS
usual she wos surrounded by admirers.
but Of her two most faithful ones. Mr..
Burrell, the commissioner, and Major
Wardrop. only Burrell was by her side.
Il do hope Major Wardrop will win
this. don't you Helen?" said Winnie
Maitland. Mrs. Mitford's niece. q
bright-eyed girl OF seventeen Just out
from Scotland.
"Of curse I do" she said quietly.
Helen had made the acquaintance OF
both men whilst her father was sta
toned last yea at Marlahabad. but he
had been suddenly moved away a few
months previously and until this week
they had not met again.
But so far the meeting had been full
Of disappointment. She had been at
Marlahabad now for ten days. and in
with Gerard. although he had eagerly
sought her society on all possible oc-
casions. Her hostess was a veritable
dragon, n h was beginning to sus-
pect her Of preventing any private con-
versation.
Was 1t possible that she wanted VIM
ME to marry him? The little girl
to him. and he was evidently attracted
By her youthful prettiness. Here her
train of thought was interrupted by u
CHEEKY voice behind her saying:
"A penny for your thoughts, Miss
LOmax."
She looked up and saw young Teddy
Gordon, a boyish, but very staunch, ad-
mirer.
"Oh. they are worth more than that
to me, Teddy, 30 I'd postpone the re-
cital Of them until you make me a bet
ter OFFER"
We'll. I came to ask o If you would
like to watch this next race from the
water jump. I expect we shall see a
few spills, for it is such a big field"
Looking back she noticed that Win
ME was, for the moment alone and
called to her to join them. The girl
started up eagerly n hurried across
to the jump.
Now they're off. No. it's a false
start. Yes, there they really are off
will win," M Winnie clasped her
hands. her pretty blue eyes dancing
with excitement.
Nearer and nearer came the horses,
they seemed to be all together, would
they all clear the jump?
All ilSltIl > suspense una MY. Cdr-
penter was over, quickly followed by
Wardrop on the chestnut. Those two
were ahead of all the rest and it was
q neck and neck race. Only one more
hurdle. Which would win? A sick
ening crash!
by Jove! He's down."
Horror stricken silence fell upon the
group. Wardrop's horse had swerved,
then. jumping wildly, had fallen heav-
lily. After a short struggle he re-
gained his feet and went cantering
riderless away.
"Oh, he has fallen-is he killed." and
Winnie covered her face with her
hands.
Don't distress yourself, Miss Matt
land" said Teddy. Il daresay he's not
badly hurt. No, see, there he is walk
ing away. Let's go back to the stand;
we shall learn more about him there
he added kindly.
Presently a sympathetic murmur
greeted the appearance of the victim
of the accident himself 10 the stand.
He made his way at once to where
Winnie was sitting, feeling a little
ashamed of her sudden display of feel
ing.
I'm awfully sorry to have lost you
the bet, Miss Winnie, n I can't even
lay claim to a broken limb to excite
your compassion.
you really gave us a dreadful fright:
both Helen and l thought you were
killed."
Major wardrop turned to Helen, who
was standing a little behind the others
She flushed slightly as she met his
eye, but ave no other sign Of dis
comfiture.
The race ball was to take place that
evening. Helen was feeling tired and
languid and in preparation for it, pro-
longed her afternoons rest beyond it's
usual limits.
However, the desire for tea aroused
her at last. n leaving her room she
stepped into the veranda to look for
Winnie, when she stopped short sud-
denly. Trembling all over, Their knees
was there, standing on the step, her
hand in Major Wardrop's a general
appearance Of happiness in the air.
"Ill do my utmost to make you hap
by, little one," he was saying and to-
morrow l shall come and have the
dreaded interview with Mrs. Milford.
Mind you keep plenty Of dances for me
late" And, with a wave of his hand,
he jumped into his dog cart and drove
off.
Helen moved mechanically back to
her room. The ayah came to dress her
for dinner, but she motioned her away.
| Then Mrs. Milford came to the door.
Il am going to lie down, Mrs. Nit
perhaps you would let me have some
dinner quietly here. I am so afraid
Of not being able to go to the ball"
The dainty little meal appeared in
due time, but Helen ate as IL each
mouthful would choke her. Only the
desire to play her part we'll enabled hel
to swallow anything. The champagne
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