Evening star., 1902-08-16
CHAPTER V.


Observation-Disclosures post.
Though Porter had missed the betting, he
intuitively felt the JOY Of an anticipated
win. Only a true lover of thoroughbreds
can know aught of the mad tumult OF eX-
ultation that twangs and vibrates the heart
strings as a loved horse comes bravely'
galIantIy. out from the surging throng OF
his rivals. peerless and king of them all
stretching his tapered neck with eager
striving. and goes onward past the tri-
bunaI. first and alone, the leader, the WIN
ner. the one to be cheered Of the many
thousands wrought to frenzy by his con-
quest.
Surely Iucretia will win today. father
don't YOU think so?'' asked Allis; Il feel
that she will"
shes got big weight up he answer
ed She's a little bit of thing, and it
may drive her into the ground coming
down the Eclipse hill. expect they'll come
at a terrible jog. too; they don't often hang
back on that course"
Now that the betting worry and the
worry of getting an honest boy were over
that the horses had gone to the post, ana
that the race rested with LuCretia herself,
Porters mind had relaxed. Even at the
time Of the very struggle itself tension nau
gone from him: he was in medltatlFe
mood and spoke on. weighing the chances,
with AlliS as audience.
But they'll have to move some to beat
the little mares trial-they'u make it in
record time If they head her, l think
Isn't the horse that beat her the other
day in too father
The Dutchmar-yes. but 1 fancy his
owner is backing my mare
Father
1t wouldn't make any difference,
though she'd beat HIM anyway. If I'm
any judge. he's short"
AuiS felt a rustic at her elbow as though
some one wished to pass between the seats
The faiuttst whif of stephanOtis came to
her on the lazy summer air. InvoIuntarily
she turned her head and looked for the
harsh-voiced woman who had been verify
stepped In the aggressive odor the day OF
IIauZaUue'S triumph Two buTly men sat
behind her. They surely did not affect per
fumery-there was even a fair gale of cigar
origin hOmiug IN their clothes Higher up
the stand her eye SearChCd-fGur rows
back sat the woman Alan had said was
Laugdun's sister There was no forgetting
the bupyaut brilIiaucy of her apparel. But
the almost farCied zephyr Of stephanotis
was mingling with the rustic at her elbow;
She turned her head irquiringly in that di-
rGction. and Cranes eyes peeped at her
over the stone wall Of their narrow lids.
He was standing in the passage just be-
yOEd her father, now looking wistfully at
the vacant seat on her left.
Good afternoon. Miss Porter-how are
You. Porter May l sit here with you and
see LuCretia VIM
Come in, come in" answered Porter,
frankly.
I was sitting with some friends higher
up in the stand, when l saw you here and
thought I'd like to make one Of the vic
torious party
Allis knew who the friends were; the
cllngiEg touch Of stephanotts had come
with him. faint-voiced mentor that sug-
geSted TO her an evil atmosphere.
The discrepancy IN Cranes sentiments
Jared on AlS-the stephanotis had be-
tTayed him most emphatiCaly: that other
day this woman had been his trainers sis
today he had been sitting with friends"
Topping the rail in the distance. just
where the course kinked little to the left,
Altis could see the blur of many cOlOred
silks in the sunlight. Then il seemed TO
fatten down almost level with the rail. as
the horses broadened out to the earth in
racing spread. and the riders clung low to
the gallOping colts-for they had started
There they come said Crane. What's
in the lead. Porter"
Porter did not answer. \ man could have
counted thirty before he said. The Dutch
mans out in front-a length. and they're
coming down the hill like mad"
AlliS felt her heart sink. Was II TO be
the same old StOry-waS there ALWAYS 10 be
something in front of Lucretia?
where IS your mare?' Crane asked
His own glasses lay idly in his lap
Though he spoke Of the race. 1t was curious
that his eyes were watching the play of
Allis' features. as Hope and Despair fought
their old humar-torturing fight over again
in her heart.
Crane jump: he had almost forgotten the
race To his cIOse-caIculating mind 1t had
been settled days before. The Dutchman
would not win. and Lucretia was the best
Of the others-why worry?
They were standing nOw-everybody was
Now. my beauty, they'll have to gallop,"
Porter was saying.
They were close Up, and Crane cOuId SEQ
that Lucret!a had got to the bay colts
head, and he was dying away. He smiled
cynically as he watched Wesley go to the
he rrHr 1-Srb 7
length in the lead. Most certainly Lang
don was an excellent trainer; the Dutch
man was just good enough TO last into sec
Ond place. and Lucretia had won handily
What wiz Crane had had.
"A little smothered gasp distracted his
momentary thought of success, and, turn
ing quickly, ne saw tears in pair of gray
eyes that were set IN a smiling face
Like babe on his neck l was sobbfng'
had recited.
Il congratulate you, Miss Porter" he said
raising his hat. Then he turned and held
out his hand to her father. saying: I'm
glad you've won. POrter-I thought YOU
would The Dutchman quit when he was
1T wasn't the colts fauIt-he was short"
said Porter Il shouldn't like to have
horses in that mans stable-he's too GOOD
trainer for me"
There was marked emphasis on Porter's
words; ne was trying to give Crane a
You mean it's a case of strawberries2''
questioned Crane.
We'll, know it takes a lot of candle TO
md a lost quarter; remarked Porter.
somewhat nbiguoUsly. Then he added. L
must go down and thank Dixon: l guess
this is his annual daS for smiling"
I'm coming, too. father said Alis; II
want to thank Lucretia and give her a kiss
brave little sweetheart"
After Allis and her father had left Crane
he sat for minute two waiting for the
crowd OF people that blocked the passage
way after each race TO filter down on the
lawn The way seemed clearer presently,
and Crane rising. fell in behind a knot of
loud-talking men. The two of large pro-
portions who had sat behind Allis were
IKE huge gate posts jammed there in the
narrow way. AS he moved along slowly he
presently had knowledge of a presence at
his side-a familiar presence Raising his
eyes from a contemplation of the heels in
front OF him. he saw Belle Langdon She
nodded with patronizing freedom.
Il lost you" she said.
Il was sitting with some friends here" he
explained
Yes, 1 saw her." she commented point
edly.
haf inst Mt Of he