Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-12-15
lrTIPOU APEE RRETC

pletely mutiled in lavish furs Of gray-br0vn rae
COON His cutter shone in the sunlight and his
big black horse was curried until he cleaned
If he were Oiled -'-
but why were they waiting? Why was Lady
ClalreS face like a stricken flower, pale cheeks
despairing eyes that seemed to be seeking some
thing beyond the excited crowd Gown the long
frosty road? Instinctively the hushed crowd fol
lowed Claire's glance Instinctiyely they too
looked and wished for the absent Philippe Beau
cerC.
Then there swept around the corner and up to
the astonished crowd the most curious equpage
that their eyes had ever beheld. Philippe Beau
cerc, 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
a 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 Il grOtesQue parody The cutter
was rudey wrought Of ir0nwOod. 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 Segneur.
The crowd loosed Its pent-up laughter as they
saw BeauClerc's ean dappled beast fall behind
pace by pace. The other ponies were skimming
on like swallows in the wind. But leading them
all was old Na-debon-Coeur's black stallion. There
was a sympathetic shudder for Claire. But She
seeming not to mind. smiling like a dainty
witch.
Wade bon-Coeur's black stallion was the first to
dash up to the blasted oak. He hecked with
foam. His quverlng TANKS streaked with
the lashes Of the old mans whip 1t was plain
he well spent but his driver allowed him not
a moments respite. OFF they sped again. Then
two soldiers came galoping in, neck to neck. The
others followed in quick succession.
Close on the heels Of the last sleigh came Beau
cerc, his snewy little pony as 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 eaped 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 incredibly when in the
flying shape that dashing toward them they
recognized Beauclerc and his uncouth speckled
nag Off in the distance, far behind him. struggled
his vanquished rivals. Instlnctively the Onlookers
glanced toward Claire and, though she was hiding
her rosy cheeks behind a great muff, they could
see that her eyes glowed with the light that WAS
never on land sea.
The spectators surged up about the victor's
sleigh. There was a torrent of welcoming cheers
for the tall dark hero But he had ears for their
acclamations. He was running to the little 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 breathless youth who in
closed them in his own eagerly. They watched
him bend above them with grace of a cavalier Apd
as he did so they heard the old Segneur eSdlaim
"Sacre where did you get that wind-shod demon?"
Philippe Beauclerc's answer came back laugh
ing, "Oh, that's old Menetepahs Indian pony. I've
been training him for weeks In the forest"