The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-23
q Modern Deitah

ton was clear enough to Maj Blacker
"Oh! Let me explain she inter-
posed, quickly. People are saying
dare say there is nothing in it, but it is
the talk of all the clubs-that-tha if
your filly runs to win she has the han
dicap at her mercy"
"Ah! l see," said the major, with a
dry sort of chuckle. They suspect me
of intending to play pranks with the
Hlly-for my own ends, eh?"
Indeed, I never supposed that!" she
cried. But l felt l should just like to
know for certain
"Quite So" he interrupted quickly,
you and L are, as you say, old friends,
Lady Laura, and we may talk candid
ly. What it really amounts to is this:
You thought that if there was any lit
tie rig on by which a bit was to be
| made you would like to be in it."
Tell me-" she repeated softly, lay
ing her little hand on his. do tell
me-"
The truth is this: 1 have kept my
intentions as regards the filly dark, and
nave even encouraged those suspicious
or which you speak on purpose, for the
very good reason that wish to get my
money on (and am doing SO, quietly,
and in dribblets, through trustworthy
agents. at a remunerative price. You
see, If the public was convinced that I
| meant going for the handicap 1
shouldn't get more than threes AS it
IS, l get sevens: There is the whole
| matter in a nutshell"
"Oh! you may trust me-" she assured
| him. II should not be such an ungrate-
full wretch as to betray you. Besides,
L always keep my promises"
Good said the major. "Of course,
l knew could trust you, else should
| not have told you. And, now, don't
you think" he added, with tender
| meaning, that have earned my COM
mission?"
What is that?" asked her ladyship,
artlessly.
"a KISS" replied the major. There
is no harm in kiss, is there?"
mot if no one is looking" she muE-
| INJURED, and no one appears to be look
ing now"
''Then I will take my commission"
| he said.
He did-four times over. She sub
mitted with perfect sangfroid. 1t did
not bring any accession of color to her
| cheeks. Lady Laura was twenty five
| years of age, and she had been kissed
before.
Shortly afterward, with many pro-
testations of gratitude, she took her
departure.
AS she drove home she said to her
self: Il have done a good evenings
WOrh. never LnOuSnC should man
age the old fox so easily 1t is a sort
of respectable version Of Samson and
Delilah. Ishall certainly get my money
on Aurora Borealis first thing tomor-
row morning.
So said, so done. Next morning,
through a gentleman friend, she exc
cuted commission on the majors
FLY for eight ponies at seven to one,
thus standing to win the handsome
sum of 6 1,400.
The Epson week duly came round,
and with it the eventful Wednesday of
the City and Suburban. Lady Laura,
while reading her morning paper to
| the accompaniment of her early cup of
tea, perused first, as usual, the sport
Ing Intelligence. Suddenly she gave
vent to cry of wrath and dismay.
Her face turned pale. Her eyes ashed.
| She INDUCED in stream of exceed
| ingly naughty language, which, If in
| excusable, was scarcely, perhaps, sur
| prising. What she read was this:
Official Scratchings.
City and Suburban.: Aurora BoreaIis.
''How dare he-the traitor, the liar,
| the blackguardl" she calculated fur
| iously. ITO cheat and swindle me like
| this, under the pretence of confiding in
| mel 1t Is intolerable. 1t Is damnable!
4 I will go around, and demand an ex-
| PLANTATION at once"
AS she spoke she rang TAl Vsly for