The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-08-28


II
he loved swelled with pride 80 tha
S the tears of joy came into her eye
Y and blinded her from seeing him. Sh
was glad that everyone was watchin
I him, and no one would be looking q
her, She did not know that her siste
} had the field glass focused straigh
upon her, and was studying her close
ly. Alas, for the tears hat were s
hastily brushed away. Eleanor looke'
and her heart sank in dismay, poor
troubled lady, She began to rejoice
that Jean was going on the morrow; II
fact, Che afternoon coald not come TOT
soon to a close for her now.
The final race, the hardest OF then
all intricate and amazing in It's plar
and wonderful In its working out. II
which the obstacles were many ant
the skill required was great, was at Its
climax. Holt had kept easily abreast
often ahead OF all the others. and the
next to the last round was almost fin
ished. People leaned forward In their
seats, then rose upon their feet, shout
ing and cheering and waving their
hands. Jean, with the others, leaned
over the front rail OF the grandstand,
in the center OF the judges bench wav'
ing her handkerchief cxcitedly; the
bit of sheer linen slipped from her
trembling fingers and fluttered to the
ground. Quick as a flash Holt spurred
ahead and wheeling In a circle in front
OF the Judges stand. swinging his body
litely he leaned and picked up the bit
Of linen from the ground, wheeled
shortly again and handed 1t to its own
er. Then he was off like a flash down
the track on the last round but a quar-
ter of the way behind the rest. his
wonderful advantage lost!
"Oh,hh,hhh!" went up In dismay
from a hundred throats: and "Ah-hh!"
In appreciation. 1t was a pretty bit of
gallantry: a skilful trick OF horseman-
ship, but, oh, the pity OF it, to lose
the race for q handkerchief! Tho
crowd could hardly forgive him. Who
cared about all the rest? They were
but secondary now ven though he had
fallen behind. What madness and
folly when the handkerchief could
have waited, or was he doing 1t to
he smart? The crowd were angry at
their sudden loss. and began to think
how Just like Jasper Holt it was TO
trifie With thenl, so when suddenly
they sat mp and took notice. Was the
race lost after all? Jasper Holt had
passed the last two riders and was
running neck and neck with the third,
and now he passed the fourth from the
end, There were but two more to
pass, Still. the others we're nearly to
the threeQuarter line, and the fore-
most was Captain Wetherin with his
powerful roam mare. He was riding
hard and meant to win. There was a
bitter. naughty look upon his face. His
triumph would be spoiled by all that
gallery play that had preceded 1t,
though 1t was plain he felt the victory
easy now. Would Holt attempt to pass
him? 1t seemed impossible. yet one he
ZANE HE -hlaeL shinmina Ike . sual-
low on the outside of the ring, gaining,
every second, and the rider with his |
easy. nonchalant mir, sitting as il the
winning e a matter OF indifference
TO him. The crowd stood up and shout
ed now, a deafening din, and Jean
stood with them, holding her breath In
wonder and excitement. The man who
rode second was but a few PAGES
ahead when his horse suddenly
swerved outward. staggered and fell,
carrying the rider down with him
In the track of Holt. coming
on at his terrible pace.
The shouting, ehushed in tightening
threats as the crowd waited for the
terrible catastrophe that seemed in.
evitable, Then. before they were fully
aware Of the danger, the black horse
had leaped over the sudden obstacle,
and was racing neck and neck with the
Captains horse and gaining every
step.
Only nifty yards remained to be
run.
Breathlessly the crowd stood and
watched as the two ieaders sped for
ward. Would he make Il! Would it
be possible after all the hindrance fo-.
mortal rider to compass that?
Tn plain was ON his me.tle now,
squirting his horse to It's utmost. hue
still the black kept easily With him.
Like two meats Id the sunshine set 70
swim In unison the races looked To-
the exciting crowd as thor skinned