Evening star., 1902-08-02
CHAPTER III.

When John Porter went down out of the
weigh in.
The Jockeys, one after another, with up
raised whip, had saluted the judge, receiv-
ed his nod to dismount, pulled saddles and
brides from their steeds and, in Indian
file. were passing over the scales.
As Lucretia was led away, Porter turned
into the paddock. He saw that Langdon
waiting for him.
''Well, he won, just as I said he'd do
declared the latter, you've got a good
horse cheap. You'd ought to've had a bet
down on him, an won him OUT
He Won" answered Porter, looking
straight into the others shifty eyes, but
mes long way from being a good horse
No dope horse is a good horse"
''Whatre givin me?" demanded Langdon
angrily.
Just what every blackguard ought to
by Cod" the trainer began in fierce
blasphemy But John Porter took a step
nearer, and his gray eyes laid hold of the
other mans soul, until it shriveled like
dried leaf and emptied itself of it's anger
in fear.
"Oh, if you want to craw!-if you don't
want to take Lauzanne-"
But Porter again interrupted Langdon-
Il said I'd take the horse, and l will; but
don't think that you're foOling me, Mr..
Langdon. You're a blackguard of the first
water. Thank God, there are only a few
parasites such as you are racing-it'S crea-
lures like you that give the sport a black
eye If l can only get at the bottom of
what has been done today, you'll get ruled
off, and you'll stay ruled off. Now turn
Lauzanne over to Andy Dixon and come in
to the secretary's office, where I'll give you
a check for him.
well, Wen settle about the horse now
an there'H be somethin' to settle between
us, John Porter, at some other time and
some other place." clustered Langdon
threateningly.
Porter looked at him with a half-amused
half tolerant expression on his square face,
and said, speaking in very dry, convinc
Ing voice: II guess the check will close out
all deals between us: it will pay you to
keep out OF my way, think
AS they moved toward the secretary's Of
flee, Porter was accosted by his trainer
The stewards want to speak to you, SIR
said Dixon.
IAN right. Send boy over to this mans
stable for Lauzanne-Ive bought him."
The trainer stared in amazement
TN give you the check when I come
back, Porter continued speaking to Lang
don.
There's trouble on. SIR" said Dixon, as
they moved toward the stewards box
dryly.
The stewards think Lucretia didn't run
up TO her form. They've had me up, an
her jock, Mckay, is there now. Starter
from the post-says Mckay fair anchored
the mare. He fined the boy $50 at the
start
II think they've got the wrong pig by the
ear-why don't they yank Langdon; he's at
the bottom OF it. It's pretty rich. Andy,
isn't 1t? They hit me heavy over the race
and now they'd like to rule me off for that
thief's work" and he jerked his thumb over
his shoulder in the direction of Langdon.
Yes, racin's hell now," commented
Dixon, with laconic directness. TT seems
just no use workin over a good horse, when
any NUT of a crook, who Is takin' turn at
plungin' can get at the boy. l believe Bos-
ton Bills game OF gettin' a straight boy to
play. an lettin' the horses go hang, is the
proper racket"
"Yes, a good boy is better than a good
horse, nowadays; but they're like north
poles-hard to come by"
Some mug give the stewards yarn that
you'd bought LauZanne. sir, an sez that's
why you didn't win with the mare"
Porter stopped and gasped In astonish-
| ment. What next?
| ly, L didn't know you was meanin' to buy
that skate, so says 1t was all ID lie.'
Ihlngs are mixed, Andy, amt they?"
Il didn't know, sir"
OF course not-I didn't mention 1t to you
1t was all a fuke. But don't blame you
Andy. III go and talk to the Stewards
they're all right; they only want to get at
AS Porter went up the steps of the stew
arUs' stand, he felt how like man mount