The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-08-14

pfc Brave had made up 70 yards. sure
man heard him coming and lay down 70
i swinging into a killing dead run But
run as he might, The Brave crepI up.
As they swung a second time into the
stretch the blue stallion was not 20
wards 10 the good. Round the turn they
forged. with still the golden head advanc-
irr Through the outstretch the duel
lasted. with no advantage to either Of the
nair. As they swung and squared away
for home they were almost locked The
watchers held their breath. No need
IN look at watches. They knew they
we're seeing the best race ever run on the
course.
W-o would win? Suleiman was tire
less. Still The Brave came on, moving
like a shadow in flight. They were halt
through the last quarter, the Brave 5
nose at Suleinan's throat-latch. Both
iocl-evs far forward. Neither dared &C to
the whip. There was no need Of 1t in
deed. Each stallion knew he ran against
a rival, not a p~ace-maker. and was mad
with q consuming madness. to come IL
first.
Suddenly Mark Harris ran down the
course shouting wildly. Nixon on The
Brave at once pulled up, leaving Sulei-
man TO gallop home alone. There was
a rustic Of resentmen among the watch
ers. "A ID shame, That's what call
it. the pursy man said.
Tn satisfied" the kentuckian an
swered. 1T was worth twice the trou-
bic of coming-to say nothing Of the tale
I shall tell the major. 0, but he'll De
a proud man-afte the Searchlight. His
fear had been always that The Brave
couldn't stay. All the colts wins, you
know, have been at a mile and under. He
hasn't got Lexington and LongfelloW
blood for nothing. After today | shan't
fear to bet on him, in any company. He'll
win from eend to eend.'"
Blood does tell" Bascom said almost
affably. The Kentuckian laughed as he
answered, Sometimes" Then, after q
little pause, he ran on:
"Yes-sOmetimes. But there has got
to be something else. You'll hardly be-
lieve it, but The Brave has got a blood
brother, just, his own age, and as like
him as two peas in the pod, who car
run over anything as long as he stays
in front, but quits like a cur the min
ute he is collarcd, or even finds another
horse close behind.'
Are you sure Of his breeding?" Bias
com asked.
Il ought to bel bred him myself
Same sire, and dams full sisters" the
Kentuckian said with a grimace. "And
l thought l had a world -beater-until the
brute came two years ole. Money
wouldn't have bought him, as a yearling
I was glad to give him to a fellow who
was going up in Ohio. OF course
couldn't let him stay in Kentucky-thcre
we have no nCp for nIittarS and COW
ards
You should nave shot him." Bascon
said, with q laugh. THAT is the proper
ending for the story, which really has
interested me very much. The Brave
has been a sort Of hoodoo for me all this
season, but l shall nave to forgive him
after his morning. I agree with you
he wins on his courage"
Bascom did not speak on the way home
Andriese drove, with hands so treInulous
the horses after q while became skittish
When, for the third time, they begar
to dance, threatening to upset the trap
Bascom snatched the reins. Still he KEEP
silence until he was alone with Andres
in his own apartments. He had sat at his
desk for 10 minutes, running down the
columns Of the stud book. AS he looked
| hate sending you on such an errand
Driese-you have an ~inconvenient amour
Of conscience still-but there is nobody
else dare trust in such a natter"
'Driese got very white. Z nave nc
c0nscience-eXcept for YOU he said
You know that. l saw our plan in your
eyes while that man was talking. Give
it up, Rix. Do. Think of the risk.'
Il live for-risks." Bascom said, shut
ting his lips hard. "They are the only
things worth living for-almost. Still,
think | might satisfy my craving will
one big, overwhelming risk-a risk that
had honor and ease and profit on one
side-and Oh the other the blackness Of
darkness. That is why 1 am SO set or
this adventure. Help me carry it through
| give you my word, if it succeeds, and
don't see how it can fail, we shall be able
TO chuck up the ring-and we will.
will take away with me to some fal
country
Don't" 'Driese said, putting a hand
over his eyes. 'Rix, you don't need to
bride me, even with promises. Only tel
me what l am to do"
Bascom told, speaking low and rapid
", and at the end thrusting into Dresses
HAND a huge roll of money. When it was
safely stowe away Bascom ran on:
Start at once, by the fastest train, anc
telegraph the minute you find out any
thing. Here are the names-horse anC
owner. l only hope the horse has moi
been thrown out Of training. If he has
we must wait-but this is the COLDER
time. We shall never have such nothe
chance. Mark Harris is in trouble. What
the trouble is l shall know before to NOR
row night
1t was a trouble common enough and
sordid enough. Harris, a rich owner
thrice-trusted employee, had dropped
$4,000 OF money not his own in the effor1
to beat the books by an infallible sys-
tenn. Unless he could make good the
stables bank balance within the next
fortnight there would be the exposure
which meant ruin. Sharp, the owner
prided himself upon paying SO we'll the
men he paid must remain honest. There
fore, he was pitiless to the least fault in
them. 1t was certain that if he discoy-
cred a great one the ~wrongdoer would