Suddenly Robin, the great Robin Adair, falters ever so slightly. The seething mass of men and women hold their breath. Then, quick as a flash, as if shot from a bow, gallant little Queen Bess passes him. A great cry breaks from the vast multitude of spectators. One instant later, and the cry has deepened into a mighty yell. Little Queen Bess, with every muscle strained, passes under the wire—a winner!
The next instant she is hidden from sight by the eager thousands who are crowding and pushing one another to catch a glimpse of the winner. Jay Gardiner stands for a moment as if dumbfounded. He is hardly able to credit the evidence of his own senses.
"Queen Bess had won!" cried the golden-haired girl by his side, and he answers a hoarse—"Yes."
The girl laughs, and the sound of that laugh lingers in his memory all the long years of his after-life.
"And I have won!" she adds, shrilly.
Again he answers, in that same hoarse monotone—"Yes!"
Before he has time even to think, Sally Pendleton turns around to her father and mother, crying triumphantly:
"Mamma—papa, Mr. Gardiner wants me to marry him. My hand is pledged to him; that is, if you are willing!"
The young man's face turned as white as it would ever be in death.
The effect of her words can better be imagined than described. Mr. Pendleton stared at his daughter as though he had not heard aright.