The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

that. regarded as a social function, Ascot
seemed scarcely as smart as in previous
years. Where could the man who wrote It
have been? Why. wondered why crocuses
and asphodels did not spring up on the lawn
beneath the feet of all the goddesses saw!
There was Just enough stir of excitement
In the air to make the arrival Of luncheon
welcome and not intrusive; "a Heidsieck IS
a very good drink. especially at luncheon.
and pate de foie gras and other dainties
rich and rare are good to eat. How I en-
joyed them! And Brenda. who told me that
her doctor had strictly forbidden her to
touch any Of these things on pain and PEN
atty Of getting stout, ate them all. Of
course, and enjoyed herself immensely. too.
Cigars are good things. also. but they are
apt to make one meditative, and Brenda
had to remind me that racing was going on.
And then bethought me of Charmion, and
was sent off to the ring to make both our
fortunes, Brenda intrusting me, with tre-
mendous exhortations not to lose 1t, with
her lucky three-penny bit to put in my
pocket while made the bets.
The roar Of the ring seemed like music
almost-so you see how happy I must have
been. But then l got II to for Brenda's
money and my own. for one of the three
crisp flyers was itching in my hand.
1t was moment for quiet superior
smile, when Brenda. picking out the Eton
blue and scarlet, described the businesslike
Charmion as "scrubby little screw" and
insisted upon having back her 3-penny bit.
She had set her heart upon snowy black.
as pretty as satin. and about as useful But
1t lor10hfor md frfty y,r,1,
when Charmion came in, three good lengths
ahead. with Dawny Gum sitting there as
happy and comfortable as an armchair crit
&c. and the handsome black was nowhere.
Then Brenda begged my pardon, and re-
stored her fullest confidence, and made me
take the s-penny-bit with me again. for the
next was the big race.
The ring was a surging mass, and the
worship Of fortune was being proclaimed
with a babel OF odds and strangely pro.
| nounced favorites. Fortune had never
looked on me with special kindness, but to-
day knew I was . prime favorite. I felt
| sure that I could tempt her to be angry as
much as / would. and she would only
| smile.
AS the result Of my winnings had Zoo;
but, Of course. when say that. do not
I mean that person who at some time or an
| other had tried to sell race cards had Zoo
I mean that so much was the insignificant
possession OF a man gorgeously appareled
and sumptuously fed. who had Just left the
side OF the loveliest lady on the course
That made difference. you see For all
that. though. I made my way to the rails,
with the settled determination to put q mod
est tenner upon Baldur: but when the bookis
said. I'm whatr' my resolution had simply
disappeared. and I replied. TN hundreds"
The price was four to one.
What a picture they looked a. they
streamed down the post. Baldur not . bit
better looking than the rest. pointed him
out to Brenda. and, though this time she
said nothing, I could see that she thought
q great deal. But knew Baldur's history
and awaited their coming with faith.
Is there anything like it-the laundering
struggle Of a large field? How your heart
beats and how you strain your neck and
eyes as you pick out your horse among the
restl What a glow Of hope or what q
douche Of disappointment follows fast when
you mark him. Baldur was beside the rails
and racing neck and neck with Oatess
mount, Too Well This time there were