Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-28

had been striving for months from my
hands at the very moment deemed
lucrative position-contingent thereon
safely within my grasp. Worst OF
all this man had been hanging around
Alices home. and her father, who thor
oughly understood my suit. had begun
to treat me coldly. and recently upon
several occasions had asked ScOville to
share his box at the opera.
Scovile had several fine horses on
the track-one in particular which had
shorn the laures from all competitors,
and only two days ago had seen Alice
Swimming through the park behind
this very trOtter and by the side Of
Bert ScOville
1t was ridiculous thing to do, but
after rising late and hasty breakfast,
l hurried around to the stable. had my
horse harnessed up and was at Alice's
door before 10 O'Clock. Herr father
would surely be offended by such an
early call upon his daughter.
She swept into the roOm-a beautiful
tigress Of a woman, in soft cascades
of lace and silk and with the flush Of
the nights sleep still beneath her
eyes
'GraciOus me. Ted, so early in the
morning! You look worried. How
gray those curls are getting each side
of your forehead. Come tell me what
it is:' And she pulled the aforesaid
'curls gently
ITS no use. Alice, I'm down in luck.
And suppose your father has about
become tired of looking for me to do
something. You are right to give me
the shake and go over to Scoville"
"NOw, what nonsense he's talking?
suppose you mean the ride. Father
insisted on my going. But I've plan.
Ted. by which we will crcumvcnt
them ALL" And her great golden
brown eyes became almost black as
she looked at me meaningly.
What is it, Alice? For Gods sake
speak at once" l cried my faith re-
stored, as l drew her near to my chair
and clasped my arms loosely about her
waist
you see Highbinder' she said.
pointing to where my horse stood
hitched to the pavement. at the foot
Of the slopng lawn. Yes. l did see
him. He was Il young. large boned,
muscular homely horse. who was as
ugly as Satan in looks and actions, but
he displayed an unlimited endurance.
which is an essential quality in a rae
ing horse. But while on the race
course his temper was most vicious.
won1I hjta nd Ii.
who approached him. excepting my
self; and he often tried to run away
even while practicng on the turf. Yet
L always managed to keep control of
him. knowing that if could ever get
him under proper training. he had the
endurance and strength to win a race
from the best blOoded stock in the
country.
At that moment Scovllle drove slow
~ past with a light buggy and pair.
He looked my horse over in way that
made ME long to knock him down.
then turned to his companion with
some remark which caused both of
Them to laugh derisively.
Never mind Tedums. NV plah ia
for you to train Highlander and beat
Robert Scoville's trotter You can get
big odds. Put up thousands Of dollars
on your hOrse."
but Alice. | gasped. ut is so I'M
certain. And if l should lose. where
Will the thousands come frOm?"
She laid her hand on my arm and
looking stcadfastly in my eyes said. in
the low tones peculiar to intense M.
lures:
Am worth a risk? Have you no
confidence in me!'
laughed good-humoredly. Haven't
l shown confidence in you? haven't
had doctor since knowing you:"
And my knowledge of drugs shall
serve us again?" she said Significantly
AS request for an explanation rose
to my lips, she hurriedly interrupted
me-
You know the only obstacle to gain
Ing my fathers consent to our mar
riage has been the fact that you are
not wealthy. We shall obtain wealth.
Trust me-do as l tell you and we shall
win"
What could l do but take her in nv
arms and promise?
l trained Highlander on the race
course and off of it. day after day
month after month. at first without
much prospect of betterment of his
trotting capacity or of combining his
great surplus energy into proper chan
nels. But at last l was able to hold
him down to his pace. Alice watched
the proceedings with as much interest
as l did. Spring and summer wore
away, and when the fall racing season
opened, we decided to put him to a
test.
l had, for the most part, kept High
binders training secret from those
with whom | should be likely to COM
pete or make my bets so that they did
not know how well prepared l was to
cope with them. They had seen but
few of my efforts upon my uncouth
and vicious animal, and by these they
judged me as an easy mark" l had
plenty Of takers" There was $4,000