ollie did not seem to wish to go for Beth, but the latter settled the
question with a switch cut by January. She headed Dollie in the
direction of the Fair grounds.

There was more driving than usual on the shell road, because of the
Fair and the races. Many a person turned, stared, and smiled to see
that quaint little figure on Dollie going along so primly.

A young lady, a cousin of Beth's, was spending the winter in
Jacksonville that year, and was very popular in society. On this
particular afternoon she, too, was driving on the shell road and
chanced upon Beth. She and her escort laughed so heartily over the
child's ludicrous appearance that Beth, at first, was inclined to be
offended. However, she drew Dollie up alongside of the carriage.

"Are you laughing because we're going slow? I'm not a bit afraid.
Say, Cousin Lulu, would you like to have a race with me?"

Lulu and her escort laughed harder than ever. Beth tried to look more
dignified.

"I bet I could beat you, Cousin Lulu. Are you afraid I would? Come on
and try."

The young man in the carriage leaned forward.

"Do you ride well enough for that?"

"Of course, I do."

This was hardly true, as she had never ridden at a fast pace in her
life. She did not think it necessary to own to this, however.

The young man was highly amused.

"Well, little lady, we'll try your skill. If you reach the Fair
grounds gate before we do, I'll give you a box of candy. Now when I
count three and say go, we'll both start. Now one, two, three, go."

Beth gave Dollie a cut with the switch. She was bound to win that box
of candy.

Dollie, surprised by the sudden blow, leaped forward, almost unseating
Beth who, however, managed in some way not to fall.

The young man had a fine horse which also started forward at a good
fast pace, and soon nosed ahead of his rival.

Dollie, not to be outdone, quickened her gait. Both horses began to
feel the contagion of the race, especially Dollie who had been, as
January said, a race horse in her day. Her mouth tightened on the bit.

Beth's blood quickened too. After she found she could cling on, she
was not a particle frightened but began to enjoy the sport.

The young man turned to Lulu, saying:

"She does well for such a little thing, doesn't she?"

He touched his horse with the whip. It went faster. Whereupon Dollie
took the bit so completely that Beth had no control over her. Her
racing blood was thor