The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-12

- Brave had made up 20 yards. Sulei-
Aan heard him coming and lay down to
II, swinging into a killing dead run. But
run as he might, The Brave crept up.
AS they swung a second time into the
stretch the blue stallion was not 20
yards to the good. Round the turn they
| forged, with still the golden head advance
ing. Through the outstretch the duel
lasted, with no advantage to either of the
pair. AS they swung and squared away
| for home they were almost locked. The
watchers held their breath. No need
| to look at watches. They knew they
were seeing the best race ever run on the
course.
W-o would win? Suleiman was tire
| less Still The Brave came on, moving
like shadow in flight. They were half
| through the last quarter, the Brave S
| nose at Suleimans throat-latc Both
| Jockeys far forward. Neither dared go to
| the whip. There was no need Of it in
deed. Each stallion knew he ran against
| a rival, not pace maker and was mad
| with a consuming madness, to come in
| 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
rustic Of resentment among the watch
ers. "A ID shame That's what l call
| it, the pursy man said.
| I'm satisfied" the Kentuckan an
swered. 1T was worth twice the trou-
| bic of coming-to say nothing Of the tale
| | shall tell the major. O, but he'll be
a proud man-after 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 Longfellov
blood for nothing. After today I shan''
fear to bet on him, in any company. Hell
win from eend to eend.'"
| Blood does tell, Bascom said almost
| affably. The Kentuckian laughed as he
| answered, Sometimes. Then, after {
| little pause, he ran on:
| "Yes-sometimes. But there has go
| 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 collared, or even finds another
| horse close behind"
Are you sure of his breeding?" Bias
com asked.
81 ought to bel bred him myself
| Same sire, and dams full sisters" the
| Kentuckan said with a grimace. "AnG
l thought l had a world beater-until the
brute came two years old. Money
wouldn't have bought him, as a yearling
l was glad to give him to a fellow who
was going up in Ohio. OF course
couldn't let him stay in Kentucky-thert
| we have no use for cutters and cow
| ards"
you should have shot him." Bascon
said with a laugh. THAT is the proper
ending for the story, which really ha:
interested me very much. The Brave
has been a sort Of hoodoo for me all thi:
season, but l shall have to forgive him
after this morning. l agree with you
he wins on his courage"
Bascom did not Npeak on the way home
| Andriese drove, with hands so tremuloui
the horses after while became skittish
| When, for the third time, they begaI
to dance, threatening to upset the trap
Bascom snatched the reins. Still he KEEP
| silence until he was alone with Andriest
in his own apartments. He had sat at hi;
desk for 10 minutes. running down thu
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 nobod!
else l dare trust in such a matter"
'Driese got very white. Il have NJ
conscience-except for you" he said
you know that. l saw your plan in you
eyes while that man was talking. Give
it up, Rix! Do! Think of the risk"
II live for-risks" Bascom said, shut
ting his lips hard. They are the onl!
things worth living for-almost. Still,
think / might satisfy my craving will
one big, overwhelming risk-a risk tina
| had homer and ease and profit on ont
side-and on the other the blackness o
darkness That is why l am so set OF
this adventure. Help me carry it through
l give you my word, if it succeeds, and
don't see how it can fail we shall be abl'
to chuck up the ring-and we will.
will take away with me to some IA
| country"
Don't" 'Driese said, putting a hant
over his eyes. 'Rix, you don't need t.
bribe me. even with promises. Only tel
me what / am to do,
Bascom told, speaking low and rapid
ly, and at the end thrusting into Driese'.
hand huge roll of money. When it wa!
safely slowed away Bascom ran on
Start at once by the fastest train, ant
telegraph the minute you find out any
thing. Here are the names-horse ant
| owner. l only hope the horse has no
! been thrown out Of training. If he has
we must wait-but this is the COLDER
time We shall never have such anothe
chance Mark Harris is in trouble. Wha
the trouble is shall know before to NOR
| row night"
1t was a trouble common enough ant
sordid enough, Harris, rich owner
| thrice trusted employee, had dropped
| $4,000 Of money not his own in the effor
to beat the books by an infallible sys
tenn. Unless he could make good thu
stables bank balance within the mex
| fortnight there would be the exposure
| which meant ruin Sharp, the owner
prided himself upon paying so well thu
men he paid must remain honest. There
| fore, he was pitiless to the least fault il
| them. 1t was certain that if he discov
| cred a great one the wrongdoer woult