Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-11

cleverly. Both had raced hard since spring.
neither could afford letup, and both, it
was certain. would be the better for a
space of Seni-retirement.
1t was the hope of seeing them that had
brought at least half the crowd Before
Driese the lad came back it had swelled to
near a hundred. 'Driese threaded ii shrink
ingly. edging around the burly figures
which crowded thickest at Bascom's ell
bows. AS the lad moved whisper ran be-
hind the backs of hands: That's Naux-
ArdrieSe EauX-Rascom's confidential clerk.
you know" When mods had answered the
whisper another ran back: Wonder if he
couldn't give mighty straight tip for the
Searchlgh;?
One man gray and pursy. and apple
checked. went so far as to pluck at Driese' 5
arm and say, in a carefully unconcerned
voice:
We always know there's somethin in the
wind when see you and your boss up
with the lark
Bascom turned. frowning heavily as he
caught the words: 'Driese. | want you.
At once he said. reaching to clutch the
lads shoulder and draw him in front of
himself next the rail There he thrust
chronome:er into his hand, with a NUT
tered order. only half audible to the rest.
Still it sufficed to set up in them a sharp
pricking expectance. Where horse his
preparation was concerned they believed
supremacy in Bascom. He had been for
half an hour watching the course, and
especially the years equine gladiators-he
must be sure something of moment hung
in the wind. thus to leave his own eyes free
for watching.
Suleiman and The Brave had come back
from the rundown. Both had been
warmed up very gradually, walking first.
then cantering. then set in a brushing gal
lop. and ending with half mile the
dead run. The Braves trainer ScoWled a
little as he went to the chestnut's head
and ran his hand down the clean. swelling
throat. Although he hundred yards
off. Bascorn. through his glass, noted the
scowL He wondered little at it The
trainer. Mark Harris. was d genial fellow
commonly in love with himself and life
and things BascOm had time to specu-
late over the scowl. Harris spoke shortly
and with emphasis to the jockey who
leaned from the saddle to hear held up his
| hand. as though in warning. and waved
the lad on. The Jockey looked over his
shoulder. Suleiman was coming perha DIS
twenty yards behind He shook his reins
| ana whisted very low. Instantly The
Brave began to move. not in whirlwind
fashion. but with slow. easy strides. Sulei-
man passed him in rush. and ran bucking
and ramping ahead. Sueiman had the
family temper. and something in the rub
down had not been to his mind.
Why. Suiey'li spread-eagie that fellow
the pursy man said. compiacently. Il tell
you. gentlemen. my money goes on the blue
horse. no matter at what odds
Better wait and see the finish" a second
man Sdlu, SOod-humOreOIy. A third, new
conner. tall and florid. and smiling under
a cavernOus SLOUGH hat. nodded assent.
That's good advice" he said. I've come
ten miles this mornin' a-purpose to see The
Brave He's a sort of old acquaintance of
mlne-bred in Kentucky. you know where
I've In fact. l know the man who bred
him. and saw the colt the day after he
was foaled. It's as much on account of
MAJOR Thompson as myself that l came
this morning. He charged me the last
thing before left. BE sure you bring me
a true account of that COLT
You've seen him in a race?" the pursv
man said. tentatively.
The other man shook his head. mo.
worse luck to me-" he said. II like To
see him in the Searchlight but that's ont
OF the question Still. I think IL they let
MIN run true this morning l shall be able
to pick the Searchlight winner"
Then-you've seen Suleiman run?' from
the pursy man. The Kentuck,an nodded
Twice. he said: won a couple o. thou
sand over him IN the Lakeside derby Grea,
heap since 1 saw him In the pasture, I've
a notion he's Just bit better"
There Is comfy among trainers. As soon
as 1t was seen the big racers were ou,
for trial, the bulk of the horses drew
! to the outer half of the course Thus the
liner half was free as for race. The
men at the corner slowly wheeling glasses
to eyes could see all the way round at
first 1t was tame enough. Suieiman ran
savaging his pace maker and buck-jump-
Ing every three strides, but under dou. G
wraps, so the pace was slow. In spite OF
the slowness The Brave hung still ffty
yards back. Now and again he turned his
head. whickering family to his staIl-maIe