Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27

| inadequate receptacle for horse and rider,
for he awoke with a gasp after he had
Travelled with frightful velocity for an age
through the air
Crane was a man not given to supersti-
tious enthralment. His convictions were
| usually founded on basic manifestations
| rather than fanciful visions, but somehow
the nights dream fastened upon his mind
as he fingered over a breakfast of coffee
with what might be called bakers decora-
tons. Even three cups of coffee, fero-
ciously strong, failed to drown the mental
rehearsal of his uncomfortable nights gal
Top. Why had he linked Mortimer and Allis
together? Had it been fate again prompt
ing him in his sleep, giving him warning of
rival that stood closer to the girl than he?
More than once he had thought Of Morti-
mer as a possible rival. Mortimer was not
handsome, but he was young, tall and
re-shouldered-even his somewhat plain
| face seemed to reflect a tall, sQuare-shoul-
dered character.
Subconsciously Crane turned his head and
scanned critically the reflection of his own
face in a somewhat disconsolate mirror
that mfsdecorated a panel Of the break
fast room. Old the glass was. some
what bereaved of it's quicksilver lining at
| the edge, it had not got over it's habit of
telling the truth Ordinarily little eXcep-
ton could have been taken to the mirrored
face. 1t was Intellectual no sign-manual
of cardinal sin had been placed upon it; it
was neither low, nor brutal nor wolfishly
cunning in expression. Its pallor rather
animation was being conducted for the
benefit of a girl of twenty-it was the full
aged visage Of man of forty.
More than ever conviction fixed itself in
Cranes mind that. no matter how strong
or disinterested his love for Alis might
be. he would win her only by diplomacy.
After ALL he was better versed in that form
of love-makng, If 1t might be so called
Crane was expecting Langdon at 10
o'clock. He heard step in the breakfast
room, and turning his head saw that it was
the trainer. Mechanically Crane pulled
his watch from his pocket he had thought
it earlier, 1t was 10. Langdon was on time
to a minute. Nominally, what there was
to discuss, though of large import required
little expression. With matters going so
smoothly there was little but assurances
and congratulations to be exchanged. Diab-
los showing in the big handicap confirmed
Langdons opinion that both the Black and
the Dutchman had given them great trial !;
probably they would duplicate their sue
cess with the Dutchman in the Brooklyn
Derby. 1t was only matter of a few
days, and the son of Hanover had steadily
improved; he was in grand fettle.
LangdOns appreciation of Cranes clever
ness had been enhanced by the successful
termination of what he still believed was
a cleverly planned coup. He had never for
an instant thought that Crane purchased
the horse out of kindness to any one 1t
was still matter of mystery to him, how
ever, why his principal should wish to
keep dark just how he had learned Diablo's
handicap. qualities
Accustomed to reading Langdon's mind
Crane surmised from the trainers manner
that the latter had something that he had
not yet preached. Their talk had been
somewhat desultory, much like the CONVEX
sation of men who have striven and sue
cecded and are flushed with the full enjoy
rIent of their success.
Suddenly the trainer drew himself togeth-
er as If for plunge and said, Did you
NOTICE Porter mare IN the BROOKLYN, sir,
Yes; she ran pretty good race for a
three-year-old."
"She did, an I suppose they'll start her
in the Derby. Do you happen to know, sir ?"
II fancy they WILL" answered Crane,
carelessly.
"she stopped bad yesterday, but I've
heard somethin'."
Crane remembered his own suspicion as to
After the race yesterday the jockey,
Redpath, was talkin-to the Porter gall
Crane started. 1t Jared him to hear this
horseman refer to Alis as the Porter gal.
"Redpath told her." proceeded Langdon,
that when he saw he couldn't quite win
he pulled his mount off to keep her dark for
Derby
How do you know this?" demanded
Crane.
"A boy in my stable happened to be in
the stall an heard EN-
Who's the boy? Can you believe him ?"
It's Shandy He used to be with the
Porters.",
Like fash 1t came to Crane that the spy
must be the one who had written him the
note about Faust and the change Of sad
dies.
We'll. that doesn't affect us. that can