The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-01-07

pletely mGfffed In lavish furs Of gray-brown rae
coon. His cutter shone in the sunlight and MS
big black horse curried until he gleameu Do
if he were oiled.
But why were they waiting? Why was Lazy
Claire's face like stricken flower, pale cneeks'
despairing eyes that seemed to be seeking some
thing beyond the excited crowd, down the long
frosty road? Instinctively the hushed croWo ioi-
lowed Claires glance. Instinctiveiy they, 'oo'
looked and wished for the absent philippe Beau
clerc.
Then there swept around the corner and up to
the astonished crowd the most curious equpaee
that their eyes had ever beheld Philippe Beau
clerc looking like some glorious savage clad IN
shaggy black buffalo robes, held taut the nome
made reins of bison hide that guided curious
pony He was small and shaggy and spotted lhe
a quail His neck was long and his head was leah.
His hind legs seemed shorter than his fore iegs'
Beside the well-groomed horses Of the other con-
testants he grotesque parody. Inc cutter
was rudely wrought of ironwoOd. But the driver
face was serene and eager. He glanced toward
Claire Their look held. Claire smiled 1heh
they were off on the signal OF the Seigneur'
The crowd loosed it's pent-up laughter as they
saw Beauclerc's lean, dappled beast fall Dehihu
pace by pace. The other ponies were skimmihg
on like swallows in the wind. But leading tnelh
all was old Va-debon-Coeurs black STATION. Aneio
was a sympathetic shudder for Claire But she'
soomino not 70 mind. was smiling like dainty
witch. =.
ya-de-bon-C Occurs black stallion was the first to
dash ND to the blasted oak He was neckeu WIN
FOAM His quivering TANKS were streaked WIN
the lashes of the old mans whip IL was pam
he was well spent but his driver allowed MN ho'
a moments respite Of they sped again. Ihen
two soldiers came galloping In, neck 70 neck. Lux
others followed In quick succession.
Close on the heels Of the last sleigh came Beau
clerc his sinewy little pony as stout ana 1resn a.
when he first set out, his reins still Drawn 'au'
He wheeled about deftly, then loosened the ea'ie
ribbons. The ugly pony stretched out MS iohs
thin neck and leaped forward .,.
He gained on the last horse, passed MIN. SANE
bv the second the third. passed the rest OF them
- ,ock and neck with the leader, Va-de-bon
Coaur,s nanting black stallion. Farther ana TAI
thor no stretched out his hoofs till he dasned
the leader.
On the hank the eager crowd craned their neck
Their ewes opened with incredulty when IN I'll
Ayng shape that was dashing TOWARD theih INC
recognized Beauclerc and MS uncouth spe@N,e
nap or in the distance far behind MIN. stragsie
h;s rannuished rivals Instnctively the onooKel
Glanced toward Claire and though she was MON
hor ROSY cheeks behind great null tney cou
COO that her eyes glowed with the light that WI
never on land or sea-
The spectators surged up about the Victo'
slaiph There was torrent OF welcoming chee
for the tall dark hero But he had no ears FOR the
acc,amations. He was running to the little knt
where Claire stood beside her father, VINO IN spi
OF himself was looking rather relieved ana Joyot
Tbev watched Claire as she put out her hands
the GOOD looking but breathless youth who
closed them in his own eagerly. They watch
him bend above them with grace OF cavalier. A
as he did SO they heard the old seigneur exciai
aSacrel where did you get that wind-shod demon
Philippe Beauclercs answer came back, laut
ing. "Oh, that's old Menetepah's Indian pony. l
been training him for weeks In the forest"