The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-02-04

along, Sir, by the bride paths; he hasn't
had two hundred yards of hard road Sir;
and | bring him straight to you, Sir, think
ing as how you'd best know what to do, so
as he may run tomorrow and win the
Jubilee Stakes"
you've done well, George cried his
master, patting him kindly on the should
er. II shan't forget this, however things
turn out. You see, DELL" he went on,
turning to Miss Richards, "here is the
demon Paddock at work. They say he
ruined my poor father, and I quite believe
it now; for see how he is going for mel'
The question was whether the horse was
safe for the night in his present quarters.
Charlie thought not, for the Sheriff men,
having taken possession at the trainers,
would probably continue their work at the
Priors. But Dell argued that Mr.. Pad
dock would have too much consideration
for Lady Richards to put the baliffs in at
the Priors, and that no one would think Of
looking for 'the Smith" in such an obvi
Gus place of concealment. And then there
was van on the premises, which had been
somtimes used for taking horses to race
courses in the neighboring districts, and
when darkness came on "the Smith" could
take his place in this and be drawn to some
stables near the park, where he could rest
''perdu" till the time came for appearing
at the starting post.
And then the hopes ofsuch happy de-
nouement were shattered by George, who
had been keeping lookout by the gate.
"Here's one of them, Sir" he cried with
suppressed excitement, "one of the gents
l mentioned coming across the lawn.
The Sheriff's officer, however, fortu-
nately took his way toward the house,
Scouts were dispatched in the shape of
willing stable helpers to see if the coast
was clear, as evidently the only remaining
chance was to get the horse off the premis-
es; but the scouts returned with the dis
heartening intelligence that all the gates
were padlocked and guarded each by two
seedy looking myrmidons of the law.
Evidently the seizure was complete, and
every pains had been taken to make it eff
fectual. "The Smith" was fairly trapped.
Swim him through the river" suggest
ed Dell.
Charlie shook his head "The river is
deep and swift and strong Wewon't risk
the life of noble brute for the sake of
money"
Dell plucked Charlie by the sleeve and
whispered "the Crypt"
"Ah, the Crypt" murmured Charlie,
his face lighting up, "what splendid no
ton I"
There was no time to be lost-at any
moment the officers might make their ap-
pearance. A few words apprised George
of the situation. "The Smith" followed
George as quietly as possible. Charlie
seized bag of oats and threw it over his
shoulder, and Dell followed with pail Of
water. Where man can go upright &
horse can go in general way. Still
George looked doubtfully at the narrow
entrance to the tool shed. "The Smith
shared tho misgiving, snorted, and drew
back little. Footsteps were approaching
voices, strange voices, were heard from the
stable yard. Still "the Smith" stood shiv
ering nervously and hanging back from the
dark and narrow passage.
George spoke kindly TO the horse, pattet
him, fondlsd him, called him by name
finally letting go his bride he ran dowr
the dark passage and disappeared. The
horse whipnied, snorted, and plunged ii
after the lad, his early and faithful com
panion.
Yes, the poor beast on whom so much
depended was safely deposited in his hid
ingplace, The burning question now wa
how to get him out again.
1t was something of an ordeal for pool
George to find himself in this underground
vault as the light gradually declined and
premature darkness came over the scene
But Mr.. Lilburn then appeared with cand
les, matches, and basket of provisions
All was quiet, and the men in possession
had no suspicion that the greatest prize oi
all was within their clutches. Indeed, tht
men of the law had not yet discovered
that he had been snatched away from
them The stable boys had moved an OLE
respectable coach horse into "the Smith
box, and the officers, not being deepl,
skilled in horsefesh, had put him down a
"Wayland Smith" And the news ha,
been wired up and down and all over tn,
country that "the Smith had been seize
by the Sheriff and could not possibly rul
for the Jubilee Stakes.
George chuckled nightly over this las
piece of news, and its inspirating natur
kept up his spirits into the still hours o
the night. His master on leaving, ha,
bade him look out and listen for any com
munication from outside; but midnight wa
chimed forth from the old church towe
before he heard sound Then there wa
dull thud and shaking at the further en-
of the crypt. Soon hole appeared, an
the light of a lantern shone through it.
"All right, George" said the master
voice; awe'll dig you out in no time"
Half dozen spades were at work, an
the soil was light sand, SO that in les
than half an hour there was opening throug
which George and his horse could march
aBless me" said the voice of vetera
| diooer sif this baint Wavland Smith