Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-10-04
CHAPTER xX.-(Continued.)

"A lew udyS ldLcI, to NAhuNS
" cantering Buckingham around the
track. he saw woman crossing the sad
ding paddock. Her face was concealed
nv fine fringe of her parasol, but the firm,
graceful walk carried him back to land
scone blurred with rain and broad blue
grass pasture field.
81 came to see Buckingham" Mrs.
Tazeweu explained in her most gracious
manner. "Why, that's he," she exclaim-
ed, as the big chestnut turned his head
towards her. "Come here, sir"
Hes not very gentle" Maude warn
ed.
"T'm not afraid of horses" she said, as
the thoroughbred set his ears back ana
made little nips at the hand caresslng his
iron neck. "Why must you be so vicious,
you splendid horse?"
Buckingham showed the whites or MS
eyes and paved angrily.
'He does not care for pettlng bit,
Maude said, nervously, keeping wary
eye on tile gelding. Look OUT! lie
jcrked the bride rein with all his
strength.
buckingham had suddenly turned at
Mrs Tazewel with open mouth, and his
teeth closed with snap at her shoul-
der. At the sudden pull on the bit, there
was the sound of tearing cloth, and from
Buckingham's muZzle, thrown high IN the
air, hung a long strip of muslin.
"Mrs. Tazewelv' Maude cried. badly
frightened-"did he bite you? How could
/ have been so careless"
After the first start Mrs, Tazewell
stood still. "How quick you are!' she
exclaimed. ut was my fault. But he
has my sleeve-see"
Maudes eyes fell upon the perfect
arm, the shreds of muslin hanging from
the shoulder The tiniest stream Of blood,
like a vein, was flowing down the white
skin. A groom rushed up and seized the
horse.
"Whv, he did reach me-" she said, with
a laugh. holding up her arm. Il thought
| felt the edge OF his teeth scratch. Oh,
thank you," as Maude pulled out his
handkerchief and wiped away the blood.
'Sha'n't | tie it around your armF
Maude asked, and his pulses bounded
when he held out her arm and his hand
touched it.
Let the ends sort of hang down. I
must have an apology for sleeve.
On the day of the steeplechase Maude
was up at an early hour, and walked
down to the track whistling merrlly. lie
had Buckingham stripped and rubbed
down taking a hand himself; saw him
watered and fed, and arranged his leg
bandages. He was always popular with
his stable boys and grooms, and on
friendly terms with them, and he called
them into Buckingham's box before he
left.
"See here, boys" he said, in low tones;
"the odds against Buckingham are now
four to one l am going to get out all the
going there is in him, but don't be fools
enough to put every dollar you have on
him. I don't want to break everybody l
know, if | lose There are other horses
il. the race besides him."
Soames and the two boys grinned
cheerfully, for there was not dollar in
the crowd They had put up everything
the night before. Maude suspected some
thing like l.. rs he saw Soames' watch
chain missing. Here, Alfred. take off
YOUR coat" he commanded. Alfred, af-
ter a glance at the others, took off his
coat. There was nothing underneath.
Investigation revealed like restitution
in Nimrod Flick. Everything had been
staked. Soames had even bet his riding
boots and spurs, his dearest possessions.
you're a pretty set of idiots Maude
said, cheerfully, and went back to his
hotel what do you think, Algie," he
said, going into Russelrs room, my sta
BILE boys have put up very near every
rag they own on Buckingham. I've just
got to win"
Russell laughed. THE odds We're aw-
fully good at first 1 got a lot on, but
somebody is on besides us. You'll see
yourself favorte before you start"
Il fancy there's some money up from
Eastoyer County. They think Bucks the
only horse in the world down there, and
I telegraphed EN- the odds the other day,
when they were good enough for any
body"
The Russells and Mrs. Tazewell drove
to the track with Maude, and seats were
found for them near the finish, close tc
the rail. Maude pointed out the course
as nearly as he could.
'Now, don't you get uneasy if l stay
back at first" he said. "Buckingham's
got the speed. and Tn not going to turn
him loose until the last mile. Wish me
luck, everybody"
Aren't you nervous, Mr.. Maude?"
Fairfax asked.
He ncrvousT cried RUSSELL "He
hasn't a nerve in his body. Have you,
Geo?"
At this moment Mrs. Russell called her
sons attention to some very gayly dress
ed Americans filing up the stairs, and
Maude turned to Mrs. Tazewell
Wish me luck he said impulsiyely
Il do, with all my heart" she answer
ed. smiling. Here, wear my glove" and
she stripped the soft glove from her wrist
and held it out to him.
Russell was sure he had picked the
winners IN the first two races on the fiat
lie explained he had stable tip, but his
choices failed to win place in either,
and his mother. who had hazarded a pair
OF gloves ON horse called Wyndhurst,
because 1t sounded so honey and Eng
fish. won.
The horses for the steeplechase were
led down the track, and Buckingham's
bright chestnut md