"She will be so sorry that she scolded me yesterday. I wish I could tell her that I know I deserved it. I don't want to die."
The world seemed more beautiful than ever now that death seemed near her.
"Whoa, Dollie, whoa," she cried.
But Dollie paid not the slightest attention. With head curved well down she sped as fast as in her palmiest racing days. Slowly but surely she forged ahead of her fast rival.
"The horse is running away with the child. Stop her, stop her," cried Cousin Lulu in alarm.
Her warning came too late.
They were now opposite the Fair grounds, which had a very high fence surrounding them. There were two gates, one for pedestrians and the other for carriages.
Dollie swerved in at the foot passageway and her helpless rider could not stop her. People scattered in every direction before the runaway horse. Even the gate-keeper stepped aside, dropping his tickets in his fright.
"Oh, what shall we do? She'll surely be killed. She'll be dragged from her horse. Her dress has caught on the gate," cried Cousin Lulu with her heart in her mouth.
Beth let go the reins and held with one hand to the saddle pommel, and with the other to Dollie's mane. This saved her. Her skirt tore loose from the gate. Onward flew horse and child.