Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-12-16
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pletey muiled In lavish furs Of gray-brown rae
coon. His cutter shone In the sunlight and hii
big black horse was curried until he cleaned as
II he were oiled
But why we're they waiting? Why was Lady
Clalres face like a stricken flower, pale cheeks
desparing eyes that seemed to be seeking some
thing beyond the excited crowd, down the long
frosty road? 1nstinctively the hushed crowd fol-
lowed Caire's glance. Instinctively they, too
looked and wished for the absent Philippe Beau
clerc
Then there swept around the corner and up to
the astonished crowd, the most curious eQuipage
that their eyes had ever beheld. Philippe Beau
clerc, looking like some glorious savage clad In
shaggy black buffalo robes, held taut the home
made reins Of bison hide that guided curious
pony. He was small and shaggy and spotted like
quail. His neck was long and his head was lean.
His hind legs seemed shorter than his fore legs.
Beside the wellgroomed horses Of the other CON
testants he was grotesque parody. The cutter
was rudely wrought Of ironwood. But the drivers
face was serene and eager. He glanced toward
Claire Their look held Claire smiled Then
they were Off on the signal of the Seigneur.
The crowd loosed Its pentup laughter Us they
saw Beaucerc's lean, dappled beast fall behind
pace by pace. The other ponies were Swimming
on like swallows In the wind. But leading them
all was old Va-de-bon-Coeurs black stallion. There
a sympathetic shudder for Claire But she.
seeming not to mind. was smiling like dainty
WITCH
Va-de-bon-Coeur's black stallion was the first TO
dash up to the blasted oak. He was fecked with
foam. His qulvering TANKS were streaked with
the lashes Of the old mans whip. 1t was plain
he was well spent but his driver allowed him not
a moments respite. of they sped again. Then
two soldiers came galloplng in. neck to neck. The
others followed In quick succession.
Close on the heels Of the last sleigh came Beau
clerc, his sinewy little pony stout and fresh as
when he first set out, his reins still drawn taut.
He wheeled about deity, then loosened the leather
ribbons. The ugly pony stretched out his long,
thin neck and lenped forward.
He gained on the last horse passed him. Sailed
by the second the third, passed the rest of them,
was neck and neck with the leader. Va-de-bon-
Occurs painting black stallion. Farther and far
Their he stretched out his hoofs till he dashed by
the leader
On the bank the eager crowd craned their necks.
Their eyes opened with incredulity when In the
flying shape that was dashing toward them they
recognized Beaucerc and his uncouth speckled
mag on in the distance far behind him. struggled
his vanquished rivals Instnctively the onookers
glanced toward Claire and though she was hiding
her rosy cheeks behind great muf they could
see that her eyes glowed with the light that was
never on land or sea.
The spectators surged up about the victor's
sleigh. There was torrent Of welcoming cheers
for the tall dark hero But he had no ears for their
acclamations. He was running to the lutte knoll
where Claire stood beside her father who In spite
Of himself was looking rather relieved and joyous
They watched Claire as she put out her hands to
the good looking but breathiess youth who in
closed them In his own SO eagerly. They watched
him bend above them with grace of cavalier. And
as he did so they heard the old Seigneur exclaiin
"Sacre where did you get that windshod demon r
Philippe Beauclerc's answer came back, laugh
Ing "Oh that's old Menetepah's Indian pony I've
been training him for weeks In the forest"