the girls were not allowed to urge their horses, so the two riders went quietly back. At the second hurdle, another horse faltered. This left the riding contest to Bab, Maud Warren, and a Lenox girl, Bertha Brokaw. Barbara was as gay and happy as possible. She had no thought of fear in riding. Beauty was a splendid little horse accustomed to being ridden across country. The beautiful little animal jumped over the low bars as easily as if she were running along the ground. Bertha Brokaw was the first of the three girls to go over the third hurdle. Bab was close behind her. Barbara had just risen in her saddle. "Go it, Beauty!" she whispered, gently. At this instant, Maud Warren gave a smart cut to her horse and crossed immediately in front of Bab. Beauty reared on her hind feet. Barbara and the horse swayed an instant in the air. Miss Stuart rose from the chair where she sat. Mrs. Morton gave a gasp. A sudden terror shook all the spectators. Poor Mollie turned sick and faint. She imagined her beloved Bab crushed beneath a falling horse. But Barbara was not conscious of anything but Beauty. As her little horse rose trembling on its hind feet Bab remembered to keep her reins slack. With one pull on the horse's tender mouth, she and Beauty would have gone over back
