Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-10

to the post half at, eased UP in his work;
then the horse could try, and the jockey
vouid Try, anu. in spite VI Il ali, the East
Ally Of Porter's would win, and his subtle
master, Crane, would have turned the re-
suit to his own benefit. Why should he
reason, or object, or counterplot. or do any
thing. but Just follow blindiy the dictates
OF this past master IN the obiique game
he loved so we'll? -,
Crane wanted the Dutchman because he
was a good torse; he also wanted to have
a heavy plunge ON Lucretia; but with the
son of Hanovsa in other hands, the good
thing might not come on. W
= Somehow Langdon felt miserably inef-
hcient in the presence of crane--his self
respect suffered; the other mans mind was
so overmastering, even to detail. The
trainer felt a sudden desire to right him.
self in Cranes estimation, give some evil
dence Of ordinary intelligence. or capability
to carry out his mission.
"f the Dutchman's owner was made to
think that the horse was likely to break
down, throw a splint, Or
But Crane interrupted him in his quiet,
masterful way, saying: 81 know nothing Of
horse trading; I simply furnish the money,
loan 1t to you, my dear Mr.. Langdon, and
you buy the animal in your own best way.
You will pay for him with a check on my
bank"
No man could close out an Interview so
effectually as Crane.
AS Langdon slipped away as though he
had been thrust bodily from the room there
was in his mind nothing but admiration OF
his master-the man who backed up his
delicate diplomacy with liberal capital.
In spite Of what he had said 10 Langdon
there was little doubt in Cranes MUD
but that the son Of Hanove was a better
horse than Lucretia, A sanguine owner
! even Porter was one at times-wss so apt
to overrate everything in his own stable,
especially IL he had bred the animal hun
self. as Porter had Lucretia.
To buy the Dutehman and back him on
such short ownership TO beat Lucretia
would have been the policy Of a very Ordi-
nary mind indeed; he would simply be
fencing. with rapiers Of equPi length. with
John Porter.
Crane had attained to his success by
thinking a little deeper than other men,
going a little beyond them In tbs carefui-
ness OF his plans. He knew iDcuitiveiy-in
fact. Porter's unguarded conversation had
trended that way--that Lucretia's owner
meant to win himself out Of his diflcult
POSITION W DaCAlub tnN AtNlc AAAc r~fIs
for the Eclipse, expecting to set his money
on AZ GOOD ODDS. BY owning the Dutchman
Crane could whipsaw the situation. fore
stall Porter in the betting BY backing
Lucretia down a short price himself and
have Jakey Faust lay with a full vigor
against the Hanover colt. He would. thus
conhne Porter TO the stake money and
Ringwood would still lie chained to his
bank By the golden links he had forged
- the place.
Almost insensibly. side BY side with this
weell Of viliainy. there was growing In
CranSts mind a most peculiar flower or
sentiment, a love blossom. strive as he
w~ouid,~though the apathy Of his rebellion
somewhat startled him-crane could not
oblitsrate from his thoughts the wondrous
gray eyes Of Anis Porter.
Even after Langdon had gone. the at
mosphere OF the room still smirched by
unholy underplay, thoughts Of the girl
came 70 Crane. ~jostling and elbowing the
evil conceptions Of his restless mind.
0rotesQuely lncongruous as It was, Crane
was actually In love. but the love flower.
pure enough In itself, had rooted IN
maiarlous ground. His passion was aoso-
lutely love. nothing elae-loye a. nrst
sight. But he was 40. and the methods
OF mat many years must still govern his
actions. Instinctively he felt that he must
win the girl by diplomacy. and Cranes
idea OF diplomacy was 70 get a man irrev-
oeabiy IN his power. II John Porter we're
Indebted 10 him beyond redemption, n he
practically owned Ringwood, why should he
not succeed with Alliaf All his life he had
gone on In Just that way. breaking men.
for broken men were beyond doubt but
potter's clay.
Langdon bought the Dutchman. What
methods he employed Crane took no pains
70 discover; IN fact. stopped Langdon alb
rupuy when he sought 70 enlarge on the
dincuities be had overcome In The pur-
chase. The price Was the cniy item that
interested crane-ssven thousand dollars;