The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-15

found Mr.. Grimstowe, and, after a wordy
combat with him concerning "the price,
of something, an entry made in a small
oblong book showed that they had trans
acted business together. Thereafter,
until a general exodus of lis customers
apprised him of the rising of the moon,
the quondam servant of Gustavus Whin-
ridge, ESQ., went about his work with a
countenance that beamed with unspeak-
able complacency. He suggested Tenny-
sons "MilIer:"
'The slow wise smile that round ab0ut
HIS rosy forehead curled ami curled,
| Seemed half WITHIN and half without,
| And full of dealings with the world"
He believed that he had seen the cards in
the Squire's hand, and on the strength of
that conviction he had backed him to win
the trick. He was positive (the language
of his meditations was strongly favored
with striking, if not always coherent,
metaphor) that "this journey at least he
had got Mr.. Nathaniel Grimstowe, in a
line, on toast"
1t wanted but twenty minutes OF the
stroke of midnight by Heckler's watch,
and still the Squire came not. Standing
about in animated grounds in the pad
dock on Windyholm, the Thornford race
course, were many of what might be
termed the upper circles of the sporting
society, eagerly discussing the chances OF
the coming encounter; and as the mo-
ments sped, bringing the zone hour after
moonrise" excitingly near, wondering
whether the match would come off after
all. Fuefaker, ready for action, was be-
ing led out by the faithful Widgeon IN
one corner of the paddock, while Apple
tart, in his clothing, was being kept
gently moving at the opposite corner
Grove, of course, in jealous attendance
Although there was not man present
who had not seen the race for the Hum
Cup, most of them criticised the nag
with that impressive air of professional
knowingness exhibited by group o.
Newmarket touts when an unfamiliar
candidate for the Guineas makes his ilrs
appearance on the classic Heath. Seconc
in order of interest to the two flyers wa
: Captain Dykely. He was fully equipped
, for the fray, and had been on view 10
some time. 1t was evident to the skilled
ewes that scanned him that he had mad
| his toilet with uncommon care. LOOK
like business" observed critic OF stabl,
appearance, to grave and silent audi
tory of three listen RS. Couldn't hay
been more particular il it was the Derb.
he was going to have a fly at. See hi
galoches?' The interlocuted had seel
those uncouth castings. "The ground i
mot so sticky as all that comes To. Sup
pose he is afraid to carry an ounce o
clay on his boots? Well, | like a COW
that takes care of his precious sell
Means to have good look in, and nj
mistake"
The subject of these not uncomplimen
tary observations conversed in low tone
} with the Marquis of Gules, one of thu
stewards, who was present i'll response II
the Captains urgent invitation.
"Do YOU think he means to forfeit
Dykely?' :,
~ really can not say; it certainly look
uncommonly like a forfeit But there i
no accounting for anything that Whln
ridge does"
"Upon my word think you are right,
, replied his lordahip. "By tue way, hav
YOU and he smoked the calumet over tina
I poacher felIow?"
"Not bit Of it." rejoined the Captain
"And it is my belief, now, that ] can b.
calm on the subject was anything bu
that when | gorged the bait-that h
meant this match as sort of Rowland
for my Oliver.
But where is he? Ah there goes tn
quarter"
Tie sound of the chimes, as it foate'
on the gentle night breeze from the towe
ofThornford parish church across Windy
holm, was heard and noted by the crowd
now wrought up into nervous state 0
expectancy by the continued absence 0
the Squire. Hartbrook, mistaken unit
/ this moment in his trust in the absentee
turning up in time, began to wavel
T. Something had happened. Confoun
, that Grimstowe. His bet with him wa
P.P What would his wife say?
al A sound Of wheels. "Hurrah!"
. The cheer was not thrown away.
' was the Squire, driving a dog-cart at
\ rate which an officer OF the county col
t stabulary would have pronounced dan
: gerous, had anybody but the Squire hel
+ the ribbons. He pulled UP by the pa'
:. dock-rails and, leaping out, turned
q assist his companion to alight, saying I
n he did so:
e "Hartbrook, where are you? Tai
a care of these. Now, Redgy, come wit
l. me-"
l. "Why, it's his son Reginaldw
d In the hubbub caused by the arrival (
e Mr.. Whinridge and his youngest son,
e pale thin boy Of about twelve years (
:? age, it was by no means easy for the pril
n cipals in the little drama to make Il
r. preparations necessary for raising I'll
Is curtain.
Ii Hartbrook, proud of his Office, carrie
Is light racing saddle and its necessal
"accompaniments," and, walking by IL
D. side of the youth, followed the Squi
IL into the paddock.
.e 81 que sed it would be you, Mast
If Redgy," said Hartbrook, in a gleef
ID whisper; "and I've backed you. It's
splendid moon, and you know IL
a track"
lie 81 should think I did, Mark; and W
" too, Ell? Recollect when | would insi
re on your taking me the whole line, yc
a on old Golah and | on my pony Lii
I'd put? And how frightened mamma WI
n and how the guv. tipped me SOW, e
I'd MarkT
Hartbrook's memory was fully as
it tentiye of those forbidden adventures
the boys, but he did not consider Il
ly an appropriate occasion for refres
e. ing it.