The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-02-04
VOL. XXIII.-NO. Is.


were gathered the purse-trick men were at
work, and stealthily pickpockets wormed
their way here and there-the pariah dogs
of civilization, TO whom no man accords
willingly anything better than kick or a
curse
Meantime, well-appointed drags ratified
softly over the turf, and were drawn up in
long lines in front of the stands, while gay
costumes and killing combinations Of colors
Auttered down from the roofs, and with
their wearers glided away to form fresh
groups on the lawns or about the balconies
of the club inclosure A military band
struck up, and by its music added to the
suggestion Of gayety and lighthearted en-
joyment; but at a little distance its music
was drowned in the clamor of the betting
inclosure, where the hundreds congregated
meant business and nothing else.
A bell rings, the police are clearing the
course, and an elderly gentleman on lad
der is arranging the numbers Of the horses
about to start, as they stand upon the "cor-
rect card" First the number then the
jockeys Dame Number five on the card is
"Wayland Smith," and having stuck up
number four, the elderly gentleman pauses
and looks down. There is general cram
ing of heads and leveling of glasses, for ru-
NOR had it that number five was, in sport
ing language, "a dead un." Number five,
George White, now appeared in as glaring
white and black as paint pots could manage;
and cheer rang out from the spectators,
for "the Smith" had been a popular favor
lite. The roar in the betting ring gathered
force and volume, Paddock pushed his way
here and there, burly and confident back
ing his own horse freely on every side.
Charlie stood by the rails, trying to look
cheerful and unconcerned; he had no more
money to lose on his horse, and the mingled
voices of the crowd sounded in his ears as
if afar off, while the whole scene had no
more reality to him than gaily-painted
picture
Lady Richards was on the course in an
elaborate and youthful costume, and Dell
was by her side, and unable to exchange
word with her lover; but she looked contin-
ually his way, and once their eyes met, and
they did their best TO express all they felt
in that one glance.
All the rest was like dream.the terri
BILE suspense of the protracted start; the ap-
preaching thunder of hoofs; the vivid dash
of color; the tension of wild suspense
Charlie did not even see the race; he shut
up his glass, bent his eyes on the green
turf, and felt as if his heart-strings were
cracking The first thing he was conscious
of was seeing Mr.. Snaffies cheerfully jump
over the rails into the course and then Char
lie followed him.
"Thank you, Snaffles," he said S;d' Ss;;d'll lead
the horse in myself" ~ SIM
Yes, it sssi sSfi isa !;
won by Retth day S,o5,l Of EeaiS:S1,
ing but triumph as
into the paddock. George was a.
fire with pride and excitement. The sea-.
were passed, the signal hoisted ''all right"
and crowd thronged about the horse,
chiefly ladies, who patted and admired him,
while "the Smith" received their atten-
tions with the utmost calmness and nom
chalanee.
"What's the matter, Charlie ?" whispered
Dell, who had contrived to lose her step
mother, and had managed to squeeze into
the paddock with the rest. i'You don't
look pleased"
"You know how feel, Dell, said Char
lie, looking down upon her with kind,
humid eyes. II feel as if this were leg
acy from the dear old governor"
Next morning thene was about every
where that Mr.. Paddock had shot himself
in his own bedroom the night before, and
that he had left hundred thousand pounds
worth of debts behind him-his losses on
the Jubilee Stakes having only been the pro
verbal last straw. Lady Richards went
abroad next day, taking her stepdaughter
with her.
The old wiseacres about Ladypriors were
quite convinced that the old saying had
; been completely fulfilled. Mr.. Paddock
would have had the Priors had it not been
for Wayland Smith coming out of his tomb.
Hence, they had been lost by that event,
and, as young Mr.. Charles had got them
) back, there was the winning of them;
while, as he was going to marry the heiress
of Halsey Combe, the justification of an
cient prophecy was complete.
Charlie himself was not so sure about
this last part of the business. He could
now pay out the men in possession and sat
isfy all Mr.. Snaffless claims Then he was
t saddled with nasty lawsuit or two about
, Mr.. Paddock's affairs, and it seemed very
E doubtful whether he would be ever able to
marry and live at the Priors. But visiting
the old crypt one day, meaning to have it
thoroughly cleansed and repaired, he saw
that in removing his mothers belongings
r from the place he had left behind the little
5 ivory tatting shuttle. He picked it up,
, but the thread attached to it was fast at the
, other end, and following the trail he found
l that it led to a little niche in the wall,
where there was an opening just large
) enough to admit hand. Still guiding his
fingers by the thread, they touched a little
, parchment-bound volume, which he drew
forth. Between the leaves was the morsel
of tatting that had no doubt been the last
4 thing his mother had been at work upon
At the head of the page was written in his
mothers hand, "Investments have made
for" the blank filed up at later