Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-20

Got something running today" he contin-
ued with vague innocence.
Jangdon, just inside Of the box. ehuckled
softly. Surely Crane was a past master in
dupiicity.
I'm starting LucrstiA in this race" re-
piled Honest John.
"Oh!" Then Crane took Porter gently By
the sleeve and drew him half within tho
stall. NJ Langdon. who trains a horse
or two for me. says this one'l win" and
he indicated the big chestnut colt that the
trainer was binding tight to a light racing
saddle. You'd better have a bit on, Mr..
Porter" Crane added.
"Lucretia carries my money" answered
Porter in loyalty.
Bangdon looked up, having cinehed the
girth tight, and took a step toward the two
men.
We'll, we both can't win." he said. half
insolently. an l dom think there's any
thing out today'll beat Lausanne"
The mare'll beat him. retorted Por-
ter. CURLY, nettled by the others cock
sureness.
"Ill bet you one horse against the other,
the winner to take BOTH cried Langdon, In
a sneering. defiant tone.
i've made my bet." said Lucretia's
owner, quietly.
IT hear you had an offer Of Ave thousand
for your ally, Mr.. Porter" half queried
Crane.
81 did and l refused H."
And here's the one that'll beat her to-
day an I'll sell him for half that" as
serted the trainer, putting his hand on
Lauzanne's neck.
Exasperated by the persistent boastfuI-
ness Of Langdon, Porter was angered into
saying, III he beats my mare I'll give you
that for him myself"
"Donei" snapped Langdon. 'T've said it
and I'll stick to It."
II don't want the horse" began Porter;
but Langdon interrupted him.
"oh, il you want to crawl"
> 81 never crawl" said Porter hercely. II
don't want your horse, but Just to show you
what l think Of your chance Of winning, I'll
give you two thousand and a half IL you
beat my mare, no matter what wins the
race"
II think you'd better call this bargain
OF, Mr.. Porter" demonstrated Crane.
"oh, the bargain will be on answered
John Porter; IF I'm any Judge, Lauzanne's
running his race right here in the STALL"
His practiced eye had summed up Lau-
zanne as a chicken-hearted one: the sweat
was running In little streams down the big
ch~estnut's legs and dripping from his belly
into the drinking earth spit-spat, drip-drip;
his head was high held in nervous appre-
hension, his lips twitched, his TANKS trem-
bled like wind-distressed water and the
white of his eye was showing ominously.
Langdon cast a quick, significant, eau
tioning look at Crane as Porter spoke OF
the horse; then he said, You're a fair
Judge an II you're right you get all the
stuff an no horse"
II stand to my bargain, whatever hap
pens," Porter retorted.
At that instant a bugle sounded.
Get up, Wesley" Langdon said to his
Jockey, they're going out"
AS he lifted the boy to the saddle the
trainer whispered a few concise directions.
Hold him steady at the post he NUT
tered; 1--WE got him a bit on edge today.
Get of in front and stay there; he's feelin'
good enough to leave the earth. This'll be
a matter of a couple of hundred II you win. I"
"All out! all out!" called the voice Of
the paddock oficial. Number onel" then,
Come on you, Wesley! they're all out"
The ten starters passed in stately process
sion from the green swarded paddock.
luIOuBn du Opcubu gate, 10 tue BOIL-ndT-
rowed earth, cleaning pink-brown in the
sunlight of the course.
How conscientiously beautiful the thor
oughbred looked. The long. sweeping step,
the supple bend of the fetlock as It gave
like q wire spring under the weight OF
great broad quarters, all sinewy strength
and tapered perfection; the stretch OF
ge~ntle-curved neck, sweet lined as a grey
hounds, bearing a lean, bony head set with
two great Jewels of eyes. in which were
honesty and courage and eager longing for
the battle Of strength and stamina and
stoutness of heart; even the n~ostrils, with
a red transparency as Of silk, spread and
drank eagerly the warm summer air that
was full Of the perfume of new-Rrowing
clover and green pasture land.
Surely the spectacle of these lovely
creatures, nearest to man in their thoughts
and their desires, and superior In their
honesty and truth, was a sight TO gladden.
the hearts Of kings. OF a great certainty
1t was q sport Of kings; and also most GER
tainly had it at times come into the hands
Of highway robbers.
Some such bitter thoughts at this came
into the heart of John Porter as he stood
and watched his beautiful brown mare, Luz
c%retia, trailing with stately step behind the
others. He loved good horses with all the
fervor of his wi strong, simple. honest
nature. Their walk was a delight to him,
their roaring gallop a frenzy OF eager sensa-
tion. There was nothing in the world be
loved so well. es-hi daughter, Allis.
But just now he was thinking only Of Luz
cretia-Lucretia and her rival, the golden
haired chestnut, Lausanne.
(To Be Continel.)