Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20

paths. twisting and turning without SEM
biance OF an objective point, creatures OF
an impulse, almost lower than instinct-de-
| void of this well -directed governing motive.
Yes they were like an army of ants that
mad been suddenly thrown into confusion.
Sne saw one OF them come hurriedly out
OF the paddock talking impetuously, with
Blended head-for he was tall-to short
man In gray tweed. beyond doubt trainer.
Suddenly the tall man broke away hurried
to the rail which separated the lawn from
the course leaned far over its top to take
last look at the horses, and then with a
queer, shutting trot he hurried to the mob
that was surging and pushing about the
bookmakers. Allis noted with minute OBJ
servance each little act in. this pantomime
or the last-minute plunge. Just beneath
where she sat two men were having most
energetic duel of words. A slim, dark
skinned youth, across whose fox-like face
was written in large letters the word tout
was hammering into his obdurate com
panion the impossiblity Of some certain
| horse being defeated. Presently the other
mans hand went into his pocket, and when
1t came forth again. five $40 bills were
counted with nervous reluctance and hest
tatingly made over to the tout Tight
clutching his prize, this pilot of the race
course slipped from Allis sight and be-
came lost in the animated mass that heaved
and swayed like full-topped grain in har-
vest breeze
Within all that Enclosure there seemed
no one possessed of any calm. To the quiet
girl 1t was a strange revelation; no
could have as much at stake as she had,
and yet over her spirit there was nothing
beyond the lethargy of depression. No, no
one is calm, she thought. All the asser-
ton was too sweeping. Coming up the
steps just at her right was a man who
might have been walking in a quiet meadow
| or full-leafed forest for all there was of
| agitation in his presence A sudden new
thought came to Alls; she had never seen
| that face distract but once A much-col-.
| lected man was Philip Crane.
"A tnge OF almost admiration tingled the
| girls mind. To be possessed of calm where
| all was nervous strain was something.
Suddenly the unimpassioned face lighted
| up; the narrow-lidded eyes cleaned with
| frightened interest. AS eagerly as a boy,
their owner Crane, came forward and
| saluted Alis.
| her left arose from his seat, to chase
| through the interminable crowd on the lawn
| new victim.
Allis had sought to be alone in this short
| time of trial; she was hardly sure of her
self If Lucretia failed she might break
| down. for what would come to her father
should the message home be one Of dis
aster? Even If the little mare won, her
| JOY might lead her to commit strange
pranks; she felt that her heart would burst
out of sheer joy if she did not shout in ex-
utation, or caper madly, as she had seen
| others do in the hour of victory She was
sorry that Crane had come.
Il was looking for you," he said; IT
want to see you win this race, that is, If
l mean, like every other man here. 1 have
harked back to my natural instinct of COW
etous acquisition, and had bet on
Not Lucretia?"
Motive bet on Diablo. Langdon thinks
he'll win. Do you remember the little
agreement about his purchaser
What was that-Ive half forgotten it."
Just little bet on your account, you
know"
"oh, I remember; but that was only in
fun, wasn't it?"
1T was part of the bargain, and it's on.
You'll take It, won't you, if he wins
They're OFF, Some one had shouted the
magic words from the head of the steps,
In second every voice of the thousands
was stilled, and there was only the noise
of shufting feet as eager watchers stood
up to the horses.
It's a false start" said Crane, quietly,
bringing his eye back from the interweav-
ing wool of colored silk that splashed the
dull gray of the race course with fantastic
brightness.
1T would have been well for you, Miss
Allis, had the starter let them go. Lucre-
tia was well out in the lead; 1t was Diablo's
fault, too. that they had to go back-he was
left standing"
Cranes voice was Fate's voice. Would
there never be anything but Lucretia and
Diablo, Z and Is, 10 and Z? Fate was drear-
lily monotonous in the insistent monologue
of these names and numbers.
'Diablo's bad horse at the post sure"
calculated Crane, letting his fieldglass rest
for an instant on his knee: "he just backs
up and shakes his head viciously; evidently
he doesn't like the idea of SO much com
pany."
How is Lucretia acting Mr.. Crane?"
Perfectly. You must have instilled
some of your own patience into her"
The girl hardly heard the implied compli-
ment
Would the patience be rewarded? or would
Ii, that was symbolical of evil, and its
W ant nf QIil
together snatch from her this prize that
meant SO much? 1t was strange that she
should not think Of the other horses at all.
1t was as though there were but two in the
race, Lucretia and Diablo-and yet they
were both outsiders. Was Fate the only
real judge, and was he whispering to her to
steel her heart against reverse?
THE starter is having a bad time of It;
that makes six false breaks" said Allis'
companion; at will end up by his losing
patience with the boys, 1 fear and let them
go with something off in long lead. But
they say this Fitzpatrick is a cool hand
and gives no man the best Of 1t. He'll
probably fine Diablos rider 500. I believe
It's customary to do that when a Jockey
persistently refuses to come up with his
horses. Just look at that, the black f1end
has dashed out and nearly crippled some
thing"
Not Lucretia, Mr. Cranew gasped Allis
mo, it's a chestnut-there they go Good
boy, Westley-I mean Diablo's jockey has
done a fendishly clever thing. He came
through his horses on the jump, carried
them off their feet, they all broke-yes, the
flags down, and he's out with a clean
lead"
Down in front bell was changing vicious
ly; people were rushing with frenzied haste
from the betting ring. and clambering up
the steps of the stand; in the stand itself
the whole vast mob had risen to it's feet,
and even now the rolling beat of eager
hoofs was in the air hushed by the mob's
clamor.
Yes Crane had spoken truly; a great
stridng black, along whose neck hung close
tiny figure in yellow and red, was leading
the oncoming horses. AIMS strained her
eyes, trying to discover the little mare but
she was swallowed up in the struggling
mob that hung at Diablo's heels AS they
opened a little swinging around the first