il just as he was leaving the house, and he said he
didn't want me, but I'd promised you, and we'll be in time if we hurry,
I've ordered Johnny."

The girl clutched her throat with a feeling that every bit of strength
was leaving her body. Bob, buckling his curb rein, saw nothing. His
only thought was to give her some sport. A fight, more or less, counted
but little with him personally; and he did not think that this one
actually would take place, else he would not have considered taking a
girl to it.

Sydney spared a thought of wonder at Bob's nonchalance, but as swiftly
reflected that perhaps men always were cool in such emergencies. To her
it meant murder,--the crime of life destroyed. And whose life? Perhaps
that of her dear old friend. Perhaps----!

The blood surged back to her brain and she mastered herself.

"We have so little time," she panted. "I'll be ready in a minute."

Before the horse was at the mounting-block she was awaiting him,
buttoning her gloves, while she extended her foot for Bob to buckle her
spur. She had put on her riding-skirt, but otherwise was as she had
come to the door.

"Don't you-all want a coat, Sydney?" asked Bob, solicitously. "Or a
hat?"

"No, I'm quite warm. Where is that boy? Hurry, Clint," she called to
the little negro, who was bringing the horse around with a slowness
born of his enjoyment of the brief ride.

"Off with you, quick, now, boy!" It was Bob, who was catching the
girl's impatience. "Here, take Gray Eagle."

He flung his bridle to the lad, and threw Sydney into the saddle as
quickly as she could wish. She adjusted herself carefully, for she knew
how the discomfort of a twisted skirt may make a difference of a minute
in the mile, or may mean real danger at a jump.

"There's no time to lose, it's five minutes past eleven now," she said,
glancing at a strap watch on her wrist, and touching Johnny with her
spur.

Bob's horse was off in pursuit before his master was well on his back.

"I declare, she might have given me a fairer start!" he growled, as the
sorrel settled down ahead of him into a run that bade fair to keep even
the advantage. They had had many a race, Bob and Sydney, and usually it
was the girl who was the more cautious rider of the two. To-day,
however, she took risks that amazed even her old-time playmate, who
thought he knew her every mood.

By the long driveway and the road it was two miles to the Doctor's
house, and five from there to th