, 1921-12-15

pletely mufiied in lavish furs of gray-brown rae
coon his cutter shone in the sunlight and his
big, black horse was culried until he CLEANED as
If he were oiled.
But why were they waiting? Why was Lady
Cialre's face like a stricken flower, pale cheeks.
uespairing eyes that seemed to be seeking some
thihg beyond the excited crowd, down the long
frosty roadf Instinctively the hushed crowd fol-
lowed Claire's glance. Instinctiyely they. 100,
looked and wished for the absent Philippe Beau
clerc.
linen there swept around the corner and up to
the astonished crowd, the most curious equipage
that their eyes had ever beheld. Philippe Beau
cierc, looking like some glorious savage clad In
shaggy black buffalo robes, held taut the home
made reins of bison hide that guided a curious
pony. He was small and shaggy and spotted like
a quail. His neck was long and his heal was lean.
His hind legs seemed shorter than his fore legs
Beside the wellgroomed horses of the other con-
testants he was a 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 pent-up laughter as they
saw Beauclerc's lean, dappled beast fall behind
pace by pace. The other ponies were skimmlng
on like swallows in the wind. But leading them
all was old ya-de-bon-C Occurs black stallion. There
was a sympathetic shudder for Claire. But she.
seeming not to mind, was smiling like a dainty
witch.
Va-de-bon-Co Occurs black stallion was the first 10
dash up TO the blasted oak. He was hecked with
foam. His quivering 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. on they sped again. Then
two soldiers came g~alloping In, neck to neck. The
others followed In quick succession.
Close on the heels of the last sleigh cam Beau
clerc, his sinewy little pony as stout and fresh as
when he first set out. his reins still drawn taut.
lie wheeled about deity. then loosened the leather
ribbons. The ugly pony stretched out his long,
thin neck and leaped 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 enger crowd craned their necks.
Their eyes opened with incredibly when in the
flying shape that was dashing toward them they
recognized Beauclerc and his uncouth speckled
nag. on 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 n great nun, they could
see that her eyes g,owed with the light that was
never on land or sea.
The spectators surged up about the vlctor's
sleigh. There was "A torrent Of welcoming cheers
for the tall dark hero. But he had no enrs for their
VACCINATIONS. He wns 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 SO eagerly. They watched
him bend above them with grace Of a cavalier. And
us he did so they heard the old Selgneur exclaim,
"Sacrel where did you get that wind-shod demonf'
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"