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

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II end of my resources. Luck was
against me. My political opponent
had snatched the honors for which |
had been striving for months from my
hands at the very moment | deemed a
lucrative position-eontingen thereon
safely within my grasp. Worst Of
all, this man had been hanging around
Alice's home, and her father, who thor
oughly understood my suit, had begun
to treat me coldly, and recently upon
several occasions had asked Scoville to
share his box at the opera.
Scoville had several fine horses on
the track-one in particular which had
shorn the laurels from all competitors,
and only two days ago had seen Alice
skimming through the park behind
this very trotter and by the side of
Bert Scoville.
1t was ridiculous thing to do, but
after rising late and hasty breakfast,
l hurried around to the stable had my
horse harnessed up and was at Alice's
door before 10 o'clock. Her father
would surely be offended by such an
early call upon his daughter
She swept into the room-a beautiful
tigress of a woman, in soft cascades
Of lace and silk and with the flush of
the nights sleep still beneath her
eyes
Gracious me, Ted, so early In the
morning! You look worried How
gray those curls are getting each side
of your forehead! Come, tell me what
curls gently
ITS no use, Alice, Pm down In luck.
And l suppose your father has about
become tired of looking for me to do
something. You are right to give me
the shake and so over to Scoyille."
Now, what nonsense he's talking?
l suppose you mean the ride. Father
insisted on my going. But I've plan,
Ted, by which we will circumvent
them all?" And her great golden
brown eyes became almost black as
she looked at me meaningly.
What is 1t, Alice? For Gods sake
speak at oncep l cried, my faith re-
stored, as l drew her near to my chair
and clasped my arms loosely about her
waist
"You see Highbinder," she said
pointing to where my horse stood
hitched to the pavement at the foot
Of the sloping lawn. Yes, l did see
him. He was young, large boned
muscular, homely horse, who was as
ugly as Satan in looks and actions but
he displayed an unlimited endurance
which is an essential quality in rae
ing horse. But while on the race
course his temper was most vicious
He would bite and kick at any one
who approached him, excepting my
self; and he often tried to run away
even while practicing on the turf. Yet
l always managed to keep control of
him, knowing that II | could ever get
him under proper training, he had the
endurance and strength to win race
from the best blooded stock I'm the
country.
At that moment Scoville drove slow
ly past with light buggy and pair
He looked my horse over in way that
made me long to knock him down.
then turned to his companion with
some remark which caused both of
them to laugh derisiyely.
"Never mind, Tedums My plan is
for you to train Highblnder and beat
Robert Scoville's trotter. You can get
big odds. Put up thousands of dollars
OIL your horse!
"But Alicev' l gasped. ut is SO un-
certain. And If should lose, where
will the thousands come from?"
She laid her hand on my arm and
looking steadfastly I'm my eyes said. in
the low tones peculiar to intense ma
lures:
"Am l worth a risk? Have you no
confidence in me?'
laughed good d-humoredly. Haven't
l shown confidence in you? | haven't
had doctor since knowing you?"
"And my knowledge Of drugs shall
serve us againY" she said significantly
AS request for an explanation rose
to my lips, she hurriedly interrupted
ME.
"You know the only obstacle to gain
Ing my fathers consent TO our mar
riage has been the fact that you are
not wealthy. We shall obtain wealth.
Trust me-do as tell you and we shall
win."
What could | do but take her in my
arms and promise?
trained Highbinder on the race
course and Off of IT, day after day,
month after month, at first without
much prospect of betterment Of his
trotting capacity or OF contining his
great surplus energy into proper chan
nels. But at last l was able to hold
him down to his pace. Alice watched
the proceedings with as much interest