[Illustration:  HE SPED DOWN THE COURSE]

But as the third man sped over the course, we hastily returned to watch the final results.  After a last trial the man threw down his lance, and, riding up, congratulated Quayle.  The last contestant was a red-headed fellow from the Atascosa above Oakville, and seemed to have a host of friends.  On his first trial over the course, he stripped four rings, but on neither subsequent effort did he equal his first attempt.  Imitating the former contestant, the red-headed fellow broke his lance and congratulated the winner.

The tourney was over.  Esther and I urged Miss Frances to ride over with us and congratulate Quayle.  She demurred; but as the crowd scattered I caught Theodore’s eye and, signaling to him, he rode out of the crowd and joined us.  The compliments of Miss Vaux to the winner were insipid and lifeless, while Esther, as if to atone for her friend’s lack of interest, beamed with happiness over Quayle’s good luck.  Poor Teddy hardly knew which way to turn, and, nice girl as she was, I almost hated Miss Frances for her indifferent attitude.  A plain, blunt fellow though he was, Quayle had noticed the coolness in the greeting of the young lady whom he no doubt had had in mind for months, in case he should win the privilege, to crown as Queen of the ball.  Piqued and unsettled in his mind, he excused himself on some trivial pretense and withdrew.  Every one was scattering to the picnic grounds for supper, and under the pretense of escorting Esther to the Vaux conveyance, I accompanied the young ladies.  Managing to fall to the rear of Miss Frances and her gallant for the day, I bluntly asked my old sweetheart if she understood the attitude of her friend.  For reply she gave me a pitying glance, saying, “Oh, you boys know so little about a girl!  You see that Teddy chooses Frances for his Queen to-night, and leave the rest to me.”

On reaching their picnic camp, I excused myself, promising to meet them later at the dance, and rode for our ambulance.  Tiburcio had supper all ready, and after it was over I called Theodore to one side and repeated Esther’s message.  Quayle was still doubtful, and I called Miss Jean to my assistance, hoping to convince him that Miss Vaux was not unfriendly towards him.  “You always want to judge a woman by contraries,” said Miss Jean, seating herself on the log beside us.  “When it comes to acting her part, always depend on a girl to conceal her true feelings, especially if she has tact.  Now, from what you boys say, my judgment is that she’d cry her eyes out if any other girl was chosen Queen.”