Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-09-19

binder spun ahead. but At the first
and Scoville's horse was gaining ON
him. At the half mile post Hlghbind.
er was only Il nose ahead and on thar
last quarter stretch they We're neck
and neck. As they passed under the
wire a great shout arose. Some of the
spectators We're yelling for my horse,
some for Seovllle's. But Highbinder
was beaten
How shall | relate the results of the
next heat. My poor horse had evident
ly expended all of his reserve force.
and We were ignominlously defeated.
AS | stood with despair and terror In
my heart, Alice hurried past me with
| cut speaking. So this was the end for
which had striven. She desplsed me
because | had displayed the courage
aroused by this greatest extremity OF
my life N assuming the habit of a
jockey. She paused beside my horse
looking at him sympathetically. He
was covered with foam and pecspira-
| ton and his limbs We're trembling.
| There was n peculiar look about his
noStrils that IL n sure indication of
something radically wrong. With Al
quick movement she took his head be-
tween her hands. Before | could
spring forward and warn her away,
she WAS gone.
| felt 1t would be useless to try the
last heat. With Hlghbinder In his pres
ent condition. all was lost-hope. love,
honor. There was but one thing left
for II man In my position.
AS | stood with dropping head a
woman's voice whispered in my ear,
Coward"
l started as If | had been stung. Al
though Alice had turned to Scovllle,
and was chatting and laughing, | knew
she had said the word
Spurred into anger and action set
my teeth and gathered up the reins.
She should see. We would win or die
In the track. even II she We're to repu-
dlate the promised reward of my eff
| forts.
The start was not very encouraging.
Scovilles outfit had no difficulty In
| leaving my horse In the rear. But as
we progressed, Highbinder seemed TO
slightly pick up his courage. He had
| made up little of the distance as we
passed the first quarter. felt that he
was gradually gaining momentum. AT
the half mile post he had lessened
the distance between him and his op-
ponent considerably, although even
now the prospects We're not reassuring.
| Upon entering the last quarter, High
binder laid back his ears and once
more seized the bit between his teeth,
| wondered what was coming. He
gathered himself up and threw himself
| forward at Il pace that astounded me-
He had reached the rear of Scoyille's
sulky-he had reached the horses
| rump-his shoulder. his head-they
were neck and neck. The goal was
In sight. Within fifty feet of the wire
the old fellow made one unearthly eff
fort. The screams of the spectators
We're deafening, and although | dared
not look, | felt the entire multitude
rising to his feet. Highbnder gave u
sudden plunge and passed under the
wire. Scoyilles horse was so close
upon him that amid the shouts of
"Highbinder" "Highbinderw low
buzz of dispute arose, and presently
Scovilles lowering face loomed up be-
fore me-
you've lostr' he cried. excitedly.
~ Youye lostr'
But my attention was diverted from
him by my horse, who, staggering a
little to the left, reeled and fell dead.
| was on my knees in moment be
side him, oblivious to everything else,
until l felt little hand on my shoul-
der and a whisper in my ear
Ted, the race is yours!'
My only reply was to point at my
dead friend.
But Ted" and her voice trembled,
you don't think more of him than
Of"
NO. no, my dear-God bless your
And have $4,000 up on the race
We shall have enough-at least to
START!
II beg your pardon" said her faith
er, approaching with stern frown on
his face; but l must insist upon my
daughter disseminating this converse
tion with particularly In the
presence of Mr.. Scoyille, her affianced
husband. to whom it is dlstasteful'
Alice wavered uncertainty for a mo-
fpin 10
then she stepped resolutely to my side.
with all due respect to you, sir" d"
| replied Il believe that |, and not
Mr.. Scoville, have won this time, and
| must insist upon my rights. But
what did you do to that horse, Alice,
to prod him up to such mettle?" |
added In an undertone. She only