The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-17

love with Constance Eyre, sole daughter
OF Major Eyre, of the Bluffs, the great
est stickler for nice points of turf honor
anywhere south of Mason and Dixon's
line. The major held that turfman's
reputation was like a woman's-irretriev-
ably stained by even unjust suspicion He
had raced himself in his younger days.
Now he bred only runners but that kept
him fully in touch with all matters of
the turf
Its the stiffest old risk going. Be
hanged, though, if don't take it" Jewett
said, next morning, az he walked to the
stable about daylight, Heaton stared as
thought he thought his employer stark
mad when Jewett said to him:
"Old man, we're going to try an exper-
iment. Yes, we. You have got to be in
it the same as myself Send out Sassy
this morning to work with the slowest
thing in the stable and make her come
in first-even if the other fellows head
has to be pulled half off. When she does
come in first give her an apple, sweet and
juicy. One apple and no more, under
stand. Tomorrow, do the same thing
only make II two apples. You must never
get beyond that Keep it up all week,
then let her run true If she comes first,
well and good she gets the apples. II
she sulks she don't. Stick to that pro-
gram until further orders, meantime Civ
ing her the chance to beat the best we've
got in stall.
II understand, sir" Heaton said with
grim yet elaborate Difference. But you
understand I'll do it only because I'm
under contract, and further, that I'll tell
everybody what I've done and how l done
it at your special order. They'll see
straight that as the cussed critter won't
win, you're a-training her to lose. Maybe.
though, she'll up and die O. wind collie.
Eff only she does, shant she have er
fust-class fun 'rul-rosewood coffin, silver
handles, plate glass, and all O. that-with
the rest er the bosses strung out behind
in mournin
"All that can he settled later" said
Jewett, airily. Then he galloped five
miles to breakfast at the Bluffs, and sun
himself in the light of Constance's mer-
ry brown eyes. 1t was early February,
but the stir of new life was in all things.
Hard as he rode he could glimpse the
faint greening of the new grass, push
ing up through last years brown mat,
and hear, soft and faint, the dove calls
from the wood. 1t was two months to the
cup day--it fell always early in April.
That was little enough time for his ex-
pertinent, but a great deal too much for
his suspense. He wanted the cup, he
wanted Constance as he had never want
ed anything before. And he had somehow
a sense that he was to win or lose both
upon that fateful swift coming April day.
Three hours later he sat opposite Maj.
Eyre in the library at the Bluff. smoking
a particularly soothing cigar and toasting
his feet at a swapping open fire. Con-
stance stood beside the south window
pottering over her plants. All morning
she had shown herself so particularly
enchanting Jewett had been tempted to
propose at once. The Major himself had
been unusually approachable he had.
indeed, INDUCED in one or two blurts OF
confidence which made Jewett certain
he himself was coming to be regarded as
one of the family. So he took his courage
al last in both hands and told of the or
ders he had given his trainer.
The major heard him in silence, then
turned and said: Constance, lit seems
to your Aunt Martha. Say you will come
and stay a month with her-and that
that | myself may run up for a week at
the last"
Yes" father, Constance said sweet
~ her eyes telegraphing to Jewett a
whole code of danger signals Jewett
was aghast. He sprang up to open the
door for Constance. but the major got
nimbly between. Still holding it open,
he said drily: II am going out to the
stables, Mr. Jewett. Shall | order your
horse?''
II will go with you Jewett said then
as they stepped outside: Major, |
cannot pretend to misunderstood you
but please give me in exact words your
reason for this dismissal"
Il hardly think that is needed the
major said stiffly. Certainly | do not
wish to say to any man in my own house
especially the one who is the heir of my