Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-03
Thoroughbreds.
BY VI. A.. FRASER.
Author Of The O%utesst," "MoOswa." and Other Stories.
By VI, A, FRASER.


Copyright, 1902, by Mcclure, Phillips g. Coz
No one knew which horse had won.
Presently a quiet came over the mob like
q lull in a storm. Silently they waited
for the winning number to go up.
81 believe it's a dead heat" said Porter,
and Allis noted how calm and restful his
voice sounded after the ~exultant babel Of
the hoarse- throated watchers.
where was Lucretia, father?"
Third" he answered laconically, school
ing his voice to Indifference. Il hope It's
a dead heat, for IL Lausanne gets the YER
dict I've got to take him. ] don't want
him after that run; they made him a
present Of the race at the start, and ne
only just squeezed home"
"why must you take the horse, father
II you don't want him? l don't under
stand"
II suppose there's no law for til said
I would. that's all. The whole thing is
crooked, though; they stole the race from
Lucretia and planted me with a dope horse
and hanged II don't feel like backing out.
Let Langdon go before the stewards about
the sale II he dare"
"Did you give your word that you'd buy
the horse, father?"
81 did, but it was a plant"
Then you'll take him, father. People
say that John Porter's word is as good
as his bond, and that sounds sweeter In
my ears than If l we're to hear them say
that you were rich, or clever, or almost
anything"
"Lauzanne gets it, called the eager,
grating voice behind them. There go the
numbers, Ned-3, 5, 10; Lausanne, The
Dutchman, Lucretia. l knew it. Dick
don't make no mistakes when he's out for
blood"
'He drew It a bit fine that time" growled
Ned, still in opposition; ut was the clos
est sort Of a shave"
"Hurrah, Lauzannel"
Again there was more hurrying OF feet
as the chestnut's hackers who had waited
in the stand for the judges decision, hur-
ried down to the gold mart.
You'll take Lausanne, father Ais
said, when the tumult had stilled; at
will come out right somehow know 1t
will-hell win again"
John Porter stood irresolutely for a
minute, not answering the girl, as though
he we're 10th to go close to the contaminat-
ing influence that seemed part and parcel
Of Lausanne and which was stretching out
to envelop him. He was thinking modify
that he had played against a man who used
loaded dice and had lost through his own
rashness. He had staked so much on the
race that the loss would cut crlpplingly
Into his affairs.
81 guess you're right, Allis," he said; "a
mans got to keep his word, no matter
what happens. I never owned a dope horse
yet and unless I'm mistaken this yellow
skate is one today. I'll take him, though,
girl; but he'll get nothing but oats from
me TO make him gallop."
Then Porter went resolutely down the
steps, smothering in his heart the Just
rebellion that was tempting him to re-
pudiate his bargain.
As he reached the lawn a lad swung
eagerly up the steps, threw his eye in
quiringly along row after row Of seats,
until It stopped at Allis. Then he darted
TO her side.
Hello, sis-been looking for you.
Where's dad?"
"Gone to get Lausanne"
"Lauzannei' and the boys eyes, that
were exactly like her own, opened wide in
establishment.
Eyes, father bought him"
1.-THE deuce! ] say, Allis, that won't do.
Don't you know there's something wrong
about this race? l Just saved myself. 1
backed the little mare for a V-then 1
heard something. This Langdon's a deuce
of a queer fish, I can tell you. l wonder
Crane has anything to do with him, for
the boss is straight as they make them"
ibid you back Lausanne, then, Alan?"
you bet / did; quick, too; and was
hunting all over for the gov'nor to tell him.
You see. l know Langdon-he comes to the
bank sometimes. He's that slick he'll
hardly say good day for fear of giving
something away"
"Then how did you-how did people know
there was something wrong?"
"Oh, a woman, Of course-she blabbed.
think she's Dick Langdon's sister, and"
"Hush-h-h!" and Allis laid her hand on
the boys arm. indicating with a curve Of
her eyes the woman in the seat behind
them.
"I'd better go and tell father"
"You needn't bother; he knows. It's a
question Of honor. Father said he'd buy the
horse, and he's gone to make good"
Il wouldn't; that sort of thing will break
man"
TITS a good way to go broke, Alan. Per-
haps we'd all been richer II IL wasn't so
strong In the Porter blood, but all the same.
brother, you do Just as father is doing today
always keep your word. l tell you what
II Is boy"-and her face lighted up as she
spoke-"father Is a hero-that's what he is;
he's Just the biggest, bravest man ever
lived. He couldn't do a mean act. How did
you get away from the bank, Alan7" she
said, changing the subject; 81 didn't know
Tou were coming today"
Mortimer was light and took on my
work. He's a good sort"
Does he bet?"
"The boy laughed. Mortimer bet9 That's
rich. We call him old Solemnity' in the
bank. but he doesn't mean any harm by it.
he Just can't help it, that's all. II he had