THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: TIICRSDAY, J lfLT 19, 1000.
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A BACKSLIDER,
O uy ."AKTIIA MCCULLOCH-WILLIAMS. Q
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(Copyright, 189, by B, 8. McClure Co.)
Parson Gentry was, Alter a 'sort, king of
the grass country. In att the length and
breadth of It only one man dared to make
head against his benevolent despotism. He,
however, stood out so stoutly, his contumacy
was the fly In tho ointment. He was the
parson's next neighbor, and, like himself,
owner of a, big. grass farm and breeder of
raca horses.
Paron Gentry loved his hordes next to
his God and tls daughter Peggy. In spite
ot his cloth he trained the best of them,
And entered them Impartially for all the
big events. He made you sec a nice dis
tinction with regard to the sport of kings,
A horse, he held, might run for money as
Innocently as plow for It. Sin came In
with the betting. . That was distinctly
among "dlicrslcms which could be used in
the nam ot the Lord."
Lawson Cocke, the contumacious one, was
painfully given to It. Ho would bet, Indeed,
upon anything, from tho speed of bis best
four-tnller to whether the 'r.rrs In a
given string of fenco would count out odd
or oven. Ho was a handsome fellow slim,
blonde, well set up, a dead shot, a fine
dancer, possessed withal of a singularly win
ning tongue. Half the caps In the county
had been set for him ever since he left off
rundabouts, but he went scot free until he
taw Teggy Gentry, who was as dark as a
gypsy and as dimpled as a cupld.
The main line ot social cleavage In grass
country society was religious. The larger
part of the Virginians and Carolinians who
had como a:ros tho Blue ridge to occupy
and possets It had been either devout church
men or shouting Methodists cr Baptists or
Presbyterians. A smaller moiety hold that
there was no God and Tom I'alnc a prophet.
It fiddled and danced and played cards as
energetically as tho larger half prayed and
Rang. The race course was a sort of neu
tral ground, where those who prayed and
those who played could meet without loss
of c?te.
Fegjy and I.itctun. however, did not mfet
thert, but at one ot the. pious Christian
parties where old-fashioned , kissing games
were the only diversion. When it came
rucv'a turn, she chese out Lawson. It
astounded her a Uttje fthM he would not
kiss her lips, hut only her band. After
that neither ot them played again. When
they parted at her father's door he had
Insisted upon riding homo beside the Gentry
carriage ho took her hand and said Im
pulsively, "Promise mo that you will never
play again,"
Peggy smiled at him rauclly and mur
mured, "I can't promise. Sitting out la so
stupid sometimes." Liwscn smiled, too.
"At least you'll promise not to play until
you see me again," ho ealtl. Peggy nodded
and-dimpled, she was sure in her own mind
that would not be half a week.
It turned out to bo half a year. Liwson
started next day Vr Virginia. Hip grand
father's estate waiW.o be dlstrlbutol, and he
made up his mind to stay until everything
was settled. Apart from that he wanted to
be very sure of himself before he ventured
further In what he felt to be a vital matter.
He pondered it all through his long rides
6Q0 miles nnd back for this was in the good
old days when there was not even a stage
coach acrosa tho Appalachian chain. Vet
when ho got home toward the end of June
ho was no nearer a decision than when he
had begun. He waB perfectly sure Jjejoved
Peggy as he would never love anybody else.
Tho point at lssuo was, ought ho' to try
winning her? Her father, he was certain,
would never let him havo her, unless he
could bring himself to accept religion. The
parson had been preaching at him, hot and
hard, ever since he came to man's estate.
Besides there was the matter of the bull
calf. Lawson swore impatiently when he
thought of It. He must have been an awful
young Idiot to set on foot that foolish
scheme. But It had not seemed foolish
then only exquisitely humorous, to tether
a lusty yearling in tho pulpit whence Par
son Gentry was expecttd to preach. True,
the parson had turned the Joko by making
the creature point the moral of a fin and
moving discourse on "the beasts which per
ish." All the same, Lawson knew there was
In his mind a sediment of Irritation, so
gritty It mlgbt provoke an explosion.
Curiously he had no doubt whatever ss
to Peggy herself, although sho was a noted
flirt, who it was well known might pick and
choose among the best. There bad been
that in her eye, dropping before- his own.
In the fluttering of her soft hand, the de
licious under-tremor of her voice, which
warmed his heart and made his pulses leap
whenever he let himself recall It.
Parson Gentry had his own training track
nnd spent all the fine summer mornings be
side it, meditating on his sermons and
watching his horses. As Blue Bonnet, the
pride ot his heart, pulled up at tho end ot
four miles, fighting for her head and evi
dently full ot running, he smiled ecstatically
and said to the boy who xod'o ber;
"My toull Looks like she could lose the
best of 'em today even It she had a church
on her back, and they only the stcoplo oh,
Isham!"
"Hit do dat," Isham responded. "I aln t
'feared cr none on 'cm, 'ceptln' 'tis dat dar
Boxy Ann ober tor Cockes'. She de one
Bonnet Is sh' 'nough gut ter beat, but I bet
my came rooster she kin do hit."
"Tut, tut. Don't talk of betting," the
parson said, Isham had sllddcn down and
Btood stroking Blue Bonnet's lean, glossy
head. Blue Bonnet was n lady of humors.
There were times when she permitted
Isham's endearments. This was not one of
them. She laid back both ears nnd nipped
him sharply, at the same Instant lashing
out with her near hind foot at the parson,
who 'was stooping to feel her hocks. The
kick took him fair In the short ribs and
doubled him up like a Jumping Jack. Isham
turned away his head, grinning. He had all
the small boy's normal delight In seeing
the upsetting ot dignitaries.
"Say, parson! shan't I swear a bit for
rou?" somebody called from the road,
which ran Just outside the track enclosure.
Parson Gentry looked up, scowling the
least bit. He knew the voice of all men
In tho world be hated to havo Lawson
Cocke see his discomfiture. Lawson had
reined In his horse, thrown his left leg side.
wise over the pommel and sat facing him,
with a set look, new and strange. If the
parson bad been a worldling be would have
whistled at the tight. Being what he was,
be merely runoea nis nanas ana stared a
trlflt harder.
"I'm' here for something something par
tlcular, Lawson began. The parson cut
him short. "I thought so," he said, nodding
energetically. "But you d as well go right
home. You can't have her. I've made up
my mind not to part with her to anybody,"
"How If she makes up her mind other
wise?" Lawson suld, low and hard. The
parson stared more than ever, then broke
Into a quick laugh.
"0. I understand! You think her mind's
sireaay mane up; that she's too much q
nanarui ior me," no said, -wen, tne fact
' Is, young man, I don't over expect to make
her my riding beast still I shall keep
her "
I see you're talking of Bluo Bonnet,"
Lawson said. The parson nodded. "Of
course. Haven't you come to try. to buy
her? Steevens, your trainer, told me you
tJdavou meant to havo her It It took every
dollar you got from the old man's estate"
"I've changed my mind," Lawson said
shortly.
"Then what do you want?" the parson
blurted out.
"Peggy!" Liwson said laconically. "What
Is more, I mean to have her. You have
Ju6l made up my mind for me."
"Are you drunk or crazy? You rauit be
one or the other. Why, my girl knows
nothing whatever about you," the parssn
began angrily. Lawson held up hi hand.
"She kno mo enough to love me as I
love hrr," he said. "Now, sir, I've no
need to say anything of myself you know
all about me much better than I do as one
gentleman to another, I want to ask It I
may court and marry her?" ,
"No! No!! No!!!" the arson shouted
In shrill crescendo, then dropping his volco
to Its common rich key: "I take It you are
serlom, Mr. Cocke thcretore let me av I
appreciate the i.cnor you have done my
daughter. But even If I knew that she
loved you, I could never bring myself to
countenanco your suit. I am not only a
father, but also, I hope, a Christian. The
scriptures, which ar the rule and law of
conduct, expressly say, 'Be not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers.' "
"Is that all you have against me?" Law
son asked, his tone a challenge.
"That Is all and everything," the par
son said gravely. Lawson laughed grimly.
"You are trying to throw away a mighty
fine chance for missionary work," he said.
"Peggy might convert me. It seems to me.
Indeed, she could make of me almost any
thing she chose.
Parson Gentry melted Instantly: "That
so. Lawson?" he said, genially. "My dear
boy, only let mo see you a nappy Chris
tian, and there Is no other man alive that
I would so gladly trust with my girl. It
will Indeed be a happy and very special
providence If love of her can lead you to
Christ. I do not flatter you In saying
that your conversion would mean more for
the Master's cause and kingdom than that
of any ten others among our young men.
You are tbclr leader In everything"
"Stop!" Lawson said. "Parson, try to put
yourself In my place. It comes natural to
you to be religious"
"Ah, my son! Y,ou are wrong there," the
parron said, smiling. "Once I was even ns
you are held In the gall of bitterness, the
bonds of Iniquity. Until I was 25, although
I never drank more than I could comfortably
carry, sport of every sort was my delight.
I fought cocks, gamed, threw dice, made and
rode matches"
'What? you?" Lawson cried. The par-
eon bowed his bead.
"Even me," he said. "Now, you must see
that the Power which plucked me, a brand
from the burning, can, If only you will let
It, .as certainly pluck you."
For almost a minute Lawson looked at the
parson, his lips opening and closing as
though uncertain whether to speak. At last
he said:
'Mr. Gentry, may I ask a question of-
the man you were before you became a
minister?"
The parson smiled Indulgently. "Ask what
you choose," he said. "I will answer truth
fully. It I answer at all."
"Then tell me this," Lawson said: "Do
you really care nothing now for the things
you gave up? I mean, don't you ever banker
nfter forbidden things yearn to be free
even riotous?"
' 'The carnal mind Is an enmity to God,' "
the parson quoted softly. Then he added
reverently: "God gives us new hearts, but
It takes his grace, and very much of It, to
keep them pure and steadfast. The old Adam
dies hard in every one of ue. We keep him
under only by help ot a strength beyond
our own."
"You wouldn't care for horses If thero
were no race tracks? Lawson said,
tentatively
"Yes, I would," the parson said sharply
"A good horse. In full action, is to me the
finest sight in the world. I love a good
horse, Just for Itself. I do not mind con
fesslng to you, though, that when one of
mine wins, I have quite the same thrill ot
delight that came of winning on anything
back in the old sinful days. That Is to say.
I am human, and a man. A man I must
continue, 'until this mortal shall have put
on Immortality'"
"Say, parson?" Lawson broke In Irrele
vantly. "Is It true, what I've been hearing?
that It Blue Bonnet wins the Fourth of
July stake you Intend to build a new church
with the purse?"
"Quite true! Why do you ask?" the par
son said- "You must know that all I win
goes to help spread the gospel."
"Because I want to give" you a chance of
doing something more for your faith," Law-
son said. "We both know that to win you've
got to beat my mare, Roxane. It's the same
as a match none of the other three really
count. Now, since owners, or owners'
friends must ride, why Ehould not we two
rldo against each other, and, It I win, you
agree to give me Peggy without conditions;
If you, I agree to do my very best to get
religion?
"Impcsslble! Impossible! Who ever hsard
of such a thing?" the parson said but Law
son say his eye sparkle and a quick flush
leap Into his cheek. The parson was cesen
tlally a Christian militant. Back In the old
days ho might have led a rapturous crusade.
Lawson pressed, undismayed:
"Why Is It Impossible? Unusual I grant
but so It Is unusual to see a minister's
colors on the .track and racetrack money
on the missionary plate. I thought you mln
liters neia notning too nard it It means
saving a soul from death "
"I do not," the parson said quickly. Law
son ran on:
"It won't bo exactly easy for me. Every
body knows mo for an unbeliever as my
father was before me. Everybody will be
sure to say I am a rank hypocrite pretend
lng to care tor finding and saving my soul
only that I may get Peggy."
"Do you mean would you make the con
ditions public?" the parson cried. Lawson
nodded.
"They would have to be," he said.
"Neither of us can afford to play except
with cards above the table. Excuse the
phrase, parson but you understand It '
"lea! I understand," the parson said,
milling, then with a keen look: "You must
lsve my girl, Lawson. I cannot let you say
you love her better than I love my God
You shall ride for a sweetheart, I for a soul
I may bo misjudged by my fellows the
searcher ot all hearts will know that I seek
only his glory."
The Fourth of July was a stake for 4-year
olds and upward, four miles and repeat. The
repeat generally eliminated everything not
aged, even in that good time, when horses
wero bred not merely to run, but to stay.
The grass country was full ot blue blood.
Sons and grandsons of Sir Arcby, ct DIomed
ot the great Eclipse had come early over
the mountains, bad thriven on lush blue
grass and running limestone water and had
left behind a lusty progeny. On top of that
there had been English Importations of more
than one prepotent Derby-winning strain
Then a good few cf the pioneers who had the
luck to be friends with 'Ir. Jefferson and
Mr. Madiscn, through the good offices of these
scntlemen, when they came to be presidents,
had brought In a sprinkling ot pure-bred
Barb and Arab mares.
The elder Cocke, Lawron's father, had
been among the brlngers-ln. Lawson's
bride. Roxane, was great granddaughter to
one ot the Arab mares and like ber ances
tress ot pure cream white, wlti sllver-whl'e
mane and tail and Ivory hoofs. She stood
barely an Inch over fifteen hands at the
withers, had a deep, roomy chest, tremen
dous barrel and short, close-sinewed back,
dropping Into comparatively light quarters.
They were but masws ot muscles, clean and
firm, enwrapping smalt bones as hard and
compact as flint. The Ivory hoofs were alive
looking and of a faint spread from coronet
to toe.
All her claim to beauty lay In head and
neck. Tho neck, neither long nor short,
carried the line of the withers In the finest
Imaginable taper out to n head that In spite
of jts broad basin face had a muzzle slender ,
enough to drink from a quart cup. Nostrils
pink a? a dawn cloud and very fully opened
gave promise ot breath and stay, to match
the flre of the eyes. They were somewhat
deeply sunken, yet held In their dark ,
depths all the desert's mystery and savage,
strength.
Blue Bonnet was taller and something i
stouter, a very dark silver roan, fully slx-i
teen hands at the crest. A elghtller brute'
never trod four good hoofp. The most,
hypercritical could pick no flaw In her she '
had shoulders so perfect, quarters so power
ful, legs so flat, to Arm, so clean ot hair, i
Her neck arched delicately and she stepped
with a proud, mincing gate, as though she '
disdained the .earth she trod. It has been1
said the was a creature of moods. Occa
sionally, but only occasionally, they were
angelic. i
She was In one of her worst tempers when 1
to
"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE AGAINST ME?" LAWSON ASKED.
she came out to run for tho stake. Per
haps the excitement of the course was con
tagious. Certainly no assemblage there had
ever before been wrought to such an edged
Interest as this present throng. Everybody
knew the side wager and gasped or gaped
over Its conditions. A few choice spirits '
chuckled In sardonic appreciation of the sit- i
uatlon. The most part charitably set It '
down that both Lawson Cocke and Parson I
Gentry were madder than March hares. i
They were somewhat equally matched In J
splto of the years between them. The par-
son was Just rising 40; he had married early 1
and Peggy was not yet 18. He was spare and .
wiry, too, riding at 150 In boots and 1
breeches and his own well-known red shirt. I
Lawson was five pounds the heavier, but I
had waived consideration ot the overweight.
Both were horsemen born, with a deal of
making added, and well able to get out ot a
mount everything that was In It.
Peggy had stayed at home. Sho had no
mind to be the focus ot staring eyes that
day. But Just before Isham left tor the
raca course his young mistress conferred
with him mysteriously 'apart. Her last
word was "Remember," to which Isham an
swered by grinning all over his face, pull
ing his woolly foretop and saying, "La
awdy! Miss Peggy, I couldn't ferglt dat ef
I tried."
The race ought to have been a big betting
event, but, out of respect for the parson's
scruples, such wagers as were made were
kept strictly under cover. The purse Itself,
a gold-fringed, gold-bedizened bluo silk
pouch holding 11,000 In gold coin, swung
high and fair In tbo sunlight above the fin
ish line. Opinion divided very equally as to
where It would fetch up In the building of a
church or the riot of a tavern. The wise
acres, of course, backed their Judgment In
whispers. It was the great undlrcrlmtnat
ing mass which murmured against the si
lence ot the wagering. It had come out for
a holiday and wanted to lay modest sums
with at least a thrilling conviction that It
was following tho lead of some one who
knew.
It was bruited that Blue Bonnet was on
edge ready to run for even -the stake of a
soul. Certainly she looked a pattern of flre
and fettle In her preliminary, as she went
paet the grandstand with Isham on her
back, her chin drawn down almost upon her
chest, prancing and curveting like mad, yet
readily obeying the rein. After her came
soberly pacing Bcndlgo, grandson to Pot-S-os,
a good, substantial bay with full black
points; next Mops, a washy sorrel, though
reasonably well bred, and after him Black
lock, a spanking highflyer chestnut, who
could go like the wind, though even his
owner admitted that he could hardly stay
tho route. At the very end Roxane, her
sliver mane tied with blood-red ribbons, her
tall streaming plume-wlp? and glistening in
the sun. She held her head low under a
free, almost a locte rein. Shanky, Lawsnu's
black body servant, rode her, as he did
In nearly all her exercise gallops.
She moved a little heavily. Commonly
she was as quick as a cat. The wiseacres
shook their beads and agreed Instantly that
sbo was overtrained she could never win
tho Fourth ot July In such company. But
Isham, banging bait out of the saddle to look
back at her, made a face and murmured:
"Humph! You metty sateful, Miss Roxy
Ann! Maybe you foolln' all dese people,
but you ain't done fooled me. Presently
youse gwlne wake up an' ra'ar an' charge
an' split the win' but Bonnetil be right dar
wid ye 'ceptln' the passon he take an'
tubn wile."
An they rode down to the start Lawson
rbouted to the parron, "I'm going to beat
you no matter who has the belt horse."
"I'm going to beat you God being my
helper," the parson called back. "I think I
have the best horse I know I have the best
cauie."
Exactly three minutes later the drum
tapred and the five horses went away,
aligned like a file of cavalry. For at least 100
yards they held In rank. Then Blacklock
shot clear away by an open length and
rtretched away for the first turn with a lit
tle defiant snort. Bluo Bonnet fought to go
alter him. Tho parson took a double wrap
on her. Blacklock was, he knew, merely an
Incident. Roxane lay well back there be
mutt keep his eye.
The first mile around was so slow Black
lock Increased his lead to n dozen lengths.
Blue Bonnet began to foam. Her rider let
out a wrap. Instantly the rushed to collar
the chestnut. In the next mile sho caught
and panted him, though still he ran strong
and free. Mops came for a second to her
throatlatch, then dropped back. Haling so
steadily as to show he was -out of the race,
Bcndlgo ran a consistent third. Roxane was
absolutely last.
Yet In the last half mile she woke up,
petted the other three as though they were
anchored and dashed under the string,
beaten by a short head. It was a marvelous
performance, amazing even those who kntw
the whtte mare best. She ran so true, so
easily, with such even swiftness?, the best
trained eye got no right perception of her
speed. Even Blue Bonnet's partisans rubbed
bands In delight, etylng: "It's a race for
blood now and only two In It."
"The powers of light and darkness are
contending here," the parson said to a re
monstrant pious friend. Lawson overheard
and laughed quietly.
"The powers are oddly horsed, parson."
he said. "1 reckon, as you see things, light
rides the color of darkness and darkne.'s the
color of light."
Mobs distanced, Blacklock withdrawn, left
but three contenders In tho second heat.
Blue Bonnet came out for It readier than
ever. Sbe spoiled three good starts. In
deed, by her eagerness to be out In front.
V.'hen at last they were tunt nway together
she was neither to bold nor to bind. Leap
ing, planglng. bucking, she took the rein,
held It and settled Into a sweeping run. Her
feet flew Invisibly with the rythm and pre
cision of some mighty machine, ber low head
nodded slightly at each bound, foam flakes
gathered and flew from the bit by the time
the third mile began she was white from
counter to tall. Her rider's heart leaped. He
had feared only for her temper. So long as
the kept the lead he knew he was safe. He
dated not look back. Shouts from the rtand
as he passed It this third time let blm know
that Blue Bonnet looked a winner all over.
But he caught tbc unfailing rataplan ot
these other hoofs behind. From the Drat
they had not varied the least fraction ot a
second. He knew, and dreaded, the stay ot
the desert. He must win now If he was to
win at all,
Into tho last quarter Blue Bonnet led
gallantly, though ber laboring breath and
glaring eyeballs said she was almost spent.
The parson, hanging in his stirrts, leaned
far over her neck, soothing, encouraging
with hand and voice. Now and again he
gave her tbo spur ebarply. He knew It was
Idle to go to the whip. The generous
blood In her veins would do Its best with
out. Eating her. lifting her. urging her
ever forward, he brought her still leading,
within fifty yards of the string.
He could see the nodding blue purse above,
catch the shimmer of the gold fringe, and
hear across the wild hubbub of the crowd
the rapid hammering of his own exultant
heart. In that mlnutn he learned some
depths ot his own mind 'which years of In
troversion would scarcely have made clear
to him. He did truly desire to eave a
soul from death, but he desired it with all
the natural man's lust of triumph.
Still the heart beats rang In his ears.
Suddenly the hoof beats behind quickened.
He saw a white head with fiery eyes and
pink, flaring nostrils flash past saw a plume.
like tall flaunted alzrion't'ln Blue Bonnet's
eyes. And as he saw -It' there came back
to him "IshamV whispered 'petition before
the start: "Ef dat d'ar'Roxy-Ann crowds
yer, marsa, you" dew cuss Bonnet, one 1111
teeny tuss. She she's uetr dat. She
know wbut hit means an' dee oon't no
body else lrr dls worl' hear hit."
It was out ot the question still ho felt
himself tempted. Roxane and Laweon
saved blm. With one long, steady lift
Lawson sent bis mount first across the
finish line. Then, as the crowd went
wild, ho sprang down, before she was still,
flung his arms about her neck, and crlod:
"Get your breath, old girl! You'll need
It all, and more, before te aro through."
The sun was almost down. Night would
come before the run off, but no soul
thought of leaving the course. All waited
for it In throbbing, feverish Impatience. It
was dewy dusk when the two mares went
out to try the final Issue. Both had re
covered wonderfully. Blue Bonnet, if no
longer on edge, ran true and strong. This
time Roxane rated easily at her quarter.
The tw'o riders might have exchanged con
fidences, but neither had a thought tor any
thing save winning.
After tbo first mile the racers ran stride
for stride, They swung to the turns and
swept the stretches like a double team.
Now one, now the other drew a little away,
only to drop back In company before she
had run fifty yards. Blue Bonnet no lunger
champed a foaming bit. Roxane's white
flanks were stained with red and reeked a
little. Both were cmulouBly full of run
ning. They held their heads low, mouths
tAlghtly open, cars combatively laid back,
rc-ady to savage at the least slacking ot
reins.
"It Is certain we can beat anything else
In tbo county, even it we can't beat each
other," Lawson called out, as they swung
Into the first quarter of the last mile.
"I have not given up. We won't split the
purse," the parson called back; "Blue Bon
net Is Just really coming to benclf."
"O, ho! Hear that Roxane," Lawson
said, touching the white mare lightly on
the neck. Then be gave a peculiar whistling
chirp. Roxane answered It by forging halt
a length ahead. Blue Bonnet responded
gamely to the spurt, but could not quite
catch the flying leader. They came to the
quarter pole. locked, and ran that way all
through the next stretch, At tho half-rile
post Lawson turned slightly and said, over
bis shoulder;
"You have fought a good flsbt, parson.
I'm almost persuaded to let you win."
Tho parson set his teeth and drove his
spurs up to tbc rowels, Bluo Bonnet
swerved visibly. As dusk deepened a
fresh wind blew down the course, cool and
welcome to the bushed, waiting crowd,
doubly welcome to the tired racers, fighting
mp ft jam
IP?
SHE WAS A NOTED FLIRT.
this desperate duel ot breath and stay. They
tore forward In the teeth ot It, tense, pant
ing, laboring, with eyes aflame. The last
quarter post flashed post As they came to
the eighth a blanket mlgbt have covered
them. Again Lawson whistled, shrill and
keen. This time Roxane staggered and
rolled In her gait, as It to leap ahead. Blue
Bonnet held her sevralngly safe there
would be a dead heal unless
Parson Gentry set his teeth. If the man
In him ached for triumph, the minister truly
yearned for power unto salvation over this
superlatlvo sinner. Lawson Cocke would
be no lukewarm Christian. He would love
God as he loved a woman, with all his heart
and mind, and soul, and strength. The
parson knew Isham had spoken the truth.
He bad watched the boy often. He almost
prone to Blue Bonnet's neck, and seemed to
drop winged words in her ear. He had
never caught the words until today he had
not known what they were. He did know
that tho tnaro always answered them, elec
trically If she would answer them now she
must come first.
Quicker than light all this Arched upon
him. Behind was the thought, what could
It matter? The parson had never sworn
elnco the day of his conversion. Profanity
seemed to him a sin peculiarly purpotelees
and abhorrent. In this volcanic stress he
leaped to the belief that porno swearing
might not be profane. Blue Bonnet under
stood certain w-ords, only as a signal to do
her desperate best. Might he not use them
In quite the same way?
Roxane led by a head ho felt Blue Bon
net's heart laboring heavily. The Anleh was
barely fifty yards away. Lanterns gleamed
either side of It. The dark massed throng
was breathless, silent, yet Its unconscious
stirrings mado a soft contused sussurrus.
The parson shivered faintly Intuitively It
seemed ho caught the rein a thought tighter,
stretched farther forward and hissed In Blue
Bonnet's ear:
"D n you! Doublo d n you! Go on!"
After that he knew nothing until a great
sobbing shout struck htm, nnd eager. Joyous
hands pulled htm from the saddle and set
him high upon men's shoulders to bear him
triumphantly about tho course. The bearers
were young fellows, all, and Lawson Cocke's
chosen friends. As they marched thej
chanted exuberantly thp parson's praises.
He was a gentleman, a scholar, a good fel
low, a sport. They would come to hear him
next Sunday and every Sunday when the
church of the purse was built. And they
would help build and furnish It he might
depend on that.
"You beat mo by a neck, parson. How In
the world did you do It?" Lawson said, offer
ing his hand to tho victor. The paroon
wrung It hard. He wanted to pay "The Lord
was on my side," but fomchow the words
stuck In his throat.
"Come and rldo with Peggy to church
Sunday," he said, almost apologetically.
Lawson shook bis head.
"I don't dare yet." he said.
The break was more eloquent than words.
Again the parson wrung his hand. It was
thick dark now, the moon coming un and
whip-poor-will calling all about, but some
how he hated the thought of going home.
After a sleepless night the parson grtf up
at dawn with a white, determined face. Al
though It was Sunday he did not wait even
for family prayer, but rode straight to the
Cocke homestead. Lawson was Just stir
ring nnd on tho way to the stable. Intent
upon seeing how Roxane fared. The parwn
stopped him at the lawn gate. "Lawson,"
he burst out, "I'm a miserable backslider.
but I can't let mjself be a thief. Tho purse
I won It by the devil's help. I I want
you to take It It really belongs to you to
take It quietly, you know you won't mind
helping me out by that much, I tope.
6hall build the church Just the same, you
understand but I shall do It out of my own
pocket."
Lawson sprang forward and caught both
the parson's hands, railing Jubilantly
though hlB eyes were not quite clear. There
was an odd lump In his throat, too, as he
said: "Not another word, parson. I have
pretty good ears for all that goes on in a
race. I didn't mind losing the purse half
as much as losing my faith in your faith
Now you have made everything right again.
Weil agree that each shall savo his ptake.
But I am convinced that religion Is a vital
matter nothing less could havo brought
you to me "
"And I am convinced that an honest man
and a gentleman Is not very far off the
kingdom ot God," the parson broke In, "but
Law-son, at least you'll ease my mind by
taking that purte. When I have made res
titution and confessed my fault to my breth
ren I thall dare to ask my Master's forgive
ness."
"Hold hard, parson," Lawson said, "better
keep quiet. I understand but I doubt If the
brethren would. The wrong you did, If it
was a wrong, has righted itself. As to the
purse why, hurry up your church. I hope
to marry Teggy the day It Is dedicated."
The church stands to this good day a
quaint, squat, steepleJess red brick structure
In the heart of the peaceful grass country
A Lawson Cocke is among Its ruling elders.
and on the wall behind the pulpit there are
marble tablets to the memory of an earlier
Law-son Cocke, who found Christ within Its
walls, and his beloved wife, Peggy, born
Gentry.
SEW EXPRESSIONS NEEDED.
KIcU AKnliiat Cut nnd TJr:cil lleacrlp
tlnim af WciIiIIiikk.
'Tho church was beautifully decorated."
"The strains ot tbo wedding march pealed
forth."
"Tbo bridal procepjlon moved slovrly up
tho aisle."
"Tho bride walked up the aisle, leanlns
upon the arm of her father."
"Tho bridegroom, accompanied by tho
best man, met the brldo at the altar."
No, this lra't a reference to any one wed
dine It Is culled from the eet description
of all weddings with which the papers aro
so replete Just now, a description which,
apparently, Is stereotyped and rfidy mado
a regular "hand-mo-down" In phraseology,
so that all the writer of the tp clal event
has to do Is to All In the namo of the
contracting parties. Why U It. asks the
New York Sun, that on this occasion, conse
crated to fientlment, all language relating
to It should be cut and dried, devoid cf
every trace of originality or imagery?
Tho traditions of wedding description terms
are seemingly invlo'able. He who would ven
ture to rlcg any changes upon them would be
brave. Indeed. Hteldts the everlasting
sameness, thero is the overdono realism of
It all. People aro all pretty familiar with
wcddlnEO nawadays anl how they are con
ducted. A blind man would know that "tho
church was beautifully decorated" and a
deaf man would be willing to Bwear that
"the strain? of the wddlng march pealed
forth." Other apecles of musical composi
tion may be "played" or "resound" or "be
rendrred" wedding marches always "reel
forth." They wouldn't bo wedding marcbcn
If they didn't. Tho bridal procession, too.
always "moves lowy up the aisle." What
then, Is the senee In chronicling the facts?
If it cantered or galloped or trotted or sailed
or bicycled or flew up the aisle, now, or
balked and refuted to go at all or played
pussy wants a corner In the chancl or any
of tho other mf ny tbl gs that would be some
sort of a variation upon tho old established
order, It might be worth whllo to mentloa
iint 111 imiii ;t nt 1 1
BEECHANS
PILLS
Purify the Blood,
Care Blotches, Im
prove Complexion.
10 cents-2S cents. I
Hi 1 II llifcit M fcflll
I Ifflllflill
It. Did anybody ever hear of a bride skip
ping rsfc up the aisle or of one who hell
tight onto her father eoat tnll' Yet o
1.000 weddings this rprlng the publlrhed
reports of fully WC. with all the gravity
attendant upon a phenomenon, stated that
"the bride walked up the aisle upon the
arm of hrr father " Now and then we
do hear of cans where the bridegroom.
best man and all fall to put In an appear
ance at the altar. You might suppose such
omissions were the regular thing. Judging
from the way the printed accounts hasten
to set all tear? at rest with thi comforting
assurance, "The bride groow, accompanied by
the beet man, met the bride at the altar."
rirctin llorxr mi lln t tlctlrltl.
Colonel Charles Marshall, one of the lead
ing lawyers of Maryland, was aide-de-camp
to General Robert E. Leo and went through
the battler of tho war with his chief Colonel
Marshall has many intcrettlng stories ot his
military life and one ot the most amusing
was an experience with a new horse. His
Nd horse had been thot from under blm In
the fight of the previous day nnd be had
taken possession of an animal that teemed
to suit his work. In the battle n few hours
later he was riding across a field In whiih
thero were numerous stumps. Suddenly the
performance opened. The guns roared nnd
tho air was Ailed with smoke and noise. Be
fore Colonel Marshall knew what was hap
pening the horte had his four feet on one ot
tho stumps and was gayly dancing In a circle
In the meantime the tiring was Increasing
and the situation was anything but comforta
ble. but tho horse kept on as If he was en-
Joying it. "It wbb not until afterward,"
said Colonel Marshall, "that I found the
horse bad belonged to a circus and had been
trained to do this act amid tbc firing of
cannon."
for Infants
The Kind Yoti Havo Always Bought lias borno tho slpna
ture of Clias. II. Fletcher, and has been inude under his
personal Mipervlslon for over JJO years. Allow no ouo
In deceive you in this. Counterfeits, Imitations and
" Just-as-good" aro but Experiments, and cudanger tho
health ot Children Experience against Experiment.
vThe Kind You Have Always Bought
Bears tho
In Use For Over 30 Years.
TL'ltKISII L. M. CAPSCI.CS MAKE HALE. HEALTH V ASD HAPPY MR
Out of every phjelcM nnd mental wreck. Infallible and tpeedj rt-luvenatorn glrlos new lease cf Ufa,
manlr strtrrtb and happlnrar Harmless and effective. Avoid danrcroui drurs advfrtlnrfl by medi
cal companies ManufkctSN-A and o)d under written ruarantec to cure or money refunded. fl.CQ
box ortt boxeK Icomplele euro) for tA.no by mall, fend for free bimp.s and question blank. Address
Uabn's Reliable Pharmacy. 16lh and l'arnain Ms . Omaha. Neb.
TEN
WESTERN
GIRLS
rIMlE TEN most popular girls In thto ste---
Uon of the west will take the. ten best
vacation trips in the country at the expense
f Tho Bee.
Who Are They?
Where Do They Live?
THE SEVEN most popular glrla In Omaha.
Council Bluffs or South Omaha (one ta
be from Council Bluffs) who earn their own
living will bo sent on the seven best vaca
tion trips that money could plan, with all
expenses paid and free transportation tor
an escort.
rpo THESE The Bee has added thrts trips
and will also vend the most popular
young lady living South of the Piatt River
in Nebraska, the most popular young lady
North of the Platte River In Nebraska out
side of Omaha, and tho most popular oung
lady In Western Iowa, outside of Council
Bluffs, on similar vacation outings with
free transportation for an escort.
The Best Trips in America.
C M. & St P. Ry.. from Omaha to Chi
cago and return over the Milwaukee road.
At Clucaso tnere will he two days stay
at the Grand Pacific Hotel. From Chicago
to New York and return over the Lake
Shore and New York Central road, with
ten das' at tho hotel Gerard. (Class A.)
Burllnirton Route. Omaha to Kstes Park,
Colorado, with ten days at Kstes Park
hotel. Return via Denver, with three days
at the Brown Palace hotel, with a trip to
ueorsftown una snvcr nume tnrougn
Clear Creek Canon. Return to Omaha to
be made by the Burlington Route.
(Class A.)
Burllnuton Route. A daylight trip over
the Burlington Route from Omnha to Chi
cago. Two days at tne urand Paclno hotel
at Chicago, cnicngo to l.ukc ueneva, with
two weeks at the Kaye's Park hotel. The
return trip will bo via Chicago over the
Burlington Route, (Class B.)
Qulney Route. From Omaha to St. Louis
over the Omaha & St. Louis and Wabash
roads, with three days nt the Southern
hotel. From St. Louis to Toledo, with a
day's stop at tho Boody House. From
Toledo to Put-In-Bay on one of the Detroit
& Cleveland coast lino steamtrs. Two
weeks nt the Hotel Victory at Put-In-Bay.
Return to Omaha via the Wabash road,
(Class A.)
Union Pacific. Omaha to Salt I.ako City
via the Union Pacific. Ten days at the
Hotel Knutsford. Return via Denver, with
threo dajs at the Brown Palace hotel and
a day'e excursion around the Georsetown
Loop. (Class A.)
Rules of the Contest.
Class A.
The young lady receiving tbo highest number of votes will have first choice
CUes A trips, tho next highest bfcoad choice, and so on.
No votes will be counted for any young lady who does not earn her own living.
No votes will be counted for Omaha Bee employes.
Tba votes will be published eich day In The Omaha Bee.
The contest will close at 6 o'clock p. m. July 21st, 1900.
Class B.
The three trips dealenated as Class B, will be awarded to the mott popular J.uig
lady without restriction as follows:
One to tho most popular young lsdy living In Nebraska south of the Platte river.
One to the most popular young lady living In Nebraska north ot tho Platta rlrer,
outside of Omaha and South Omaha.
One to the most popular young lady living In western Iowa, not Including Coun
cil Bluffs.
The young lady of the three winners who receives tho roost votes, will have first
choice of three trips, and the one receiving tho next greatest number, second choice.
All votes must b made on coupons cut from The Bee.
Pre-payroents for subscriptions n?ny V nri either direct to The Bee Publishing
Company, or to an authorised agent of The Bee.
The votes will be published each day In The Omaba Bee.
Tao contest will close at C o'clock p. m. July 21st, 1900.
WHO IS YOUR GIRL?
Votes will bo counted when made on a coupon cut from Tho Omaha Bee and de
posited at The Bee Business Office or mulled addressed "Vucatlon Contest Dept.'" The
Omaba Bee, Omaha Neb.
ABSOLUTE
SECURITY.
Genuine
Carter's
Little Liver Pills.
Must Benr Signature f
Am Facsimile Wrapper Btlow.
Tary aaU l ss aasr
n take as n(m
FD3 HEAOACKL
FOR DIZZINESS.
rOR CIUOUSBEII.
FOR TORPIfi LIVEIl'.
FOR CONtlPATIOI.
FOR SALLOW SKIN.
FOR THE COMPLEXION
4 Bti 1 PgT7'ty '''
DURE SICK HEADACHE.
and Children.
Signature of
Rock Island Route. From Omaha to Den
ver over the Rock Islnnd Route, with threo
daya nt tho Brown Palace hotel, a day's
excursion up to Georgetown through tho
Clear Creek canon, around tho Loop, re
turning to Denver before evening. From
Denver to Manltou over tho C, R. I. & P.,
with three days at Manlnu nnd a trip to
Pike's Peak via tho Cogwheel Routo.
From Manltou over the D. & R. fi. to
Glenwood Springs. Ten days nt the Hotel
Colorado at Glenwood Springs before re
turning to Omahn (Cln? B )
Missouri Pacific Railway. Omaha to Kan
sas City, with three days at the Coates
house. From Kansas City to WnrreruiburB.
Missouri, and Pertle Springs. Two weeks
at Pertle Springs at the Hotel Mlnnewawa.
Return to Omaha. (Class B.)
Northwestern, Omaha to Chicago via the
Northwestern, with a day s stop at tho
Grand Pacific hotel , Chicago to Green
lake, Wisconsin, with two weeks at tho
Oakwood hotel. Return via tho North
western. (Class A.)
Northwestern. Over the Fremont, Klk
horn & Missouri Valley Railroad to Black
Hills nnd Hot Springs. At Hot Sprlnru
there will be a two weeks.' stay at th
Hotel Evans. (Class A.J ln"
Illinois Central Railroad, from Omaha to
Chicago via the Illinois Centrnl road, with
a day s stop at the Grand Pacific hotel
From Chicago to Charlevoix. Michigan, via
the Pere Marquette Railroad. Two weeks
at Charlevoix at tho Belvlflero hotel, re
turning via the steamship Manltou to Chi.
Aco. and the Illinois Central to Omaha
(C1&BS A.) vrumna.
ICARTER'S
Bp
t