Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-02
Or1 the AniseL Seed Trail >R
By H. s. cANFIELD.|
Copyright, 1903. by Daily Story P1e3. co.7

7 ~~HA1
 N THE smoking room of the Cohas- set Country club Willie Delay sat with one leg thrownycarelessly on ta- ble. He licked the boot on it with a hunting crop and puffed, Turkish ci- garette that burned with a smell like the smell of @decayed weeds and punk. Willie ir$ talk was horsey. With him were Reggie Van Duyck, who was dog gy, ard Algy Remsen who was foxy.
 "Tnat new hunter of mine," said WiSlie, ':is 8 wonder. Short barrel, big chest, clean legs, stifie we'll set out, | muscled like Sandow. I'm thinking that he'll come close to seven feet in the clear"
 "Saw the pack awhile ago." said Reg gie. Looks we1l-aw. But the little gyp with the tan over her eyes is too keen-aw. Needs more work and whip and less coddling-aw. That man Brown isn't any good--aw."
 ''He's, good on making the bag" said Algy. ''Saw him mixing the seed this morning. He's got some sort of prep aration he puts in-won't give away the secret-that makes it smell like an old dog fox in spring. Offered him five pound to tell, doncherknow."
 Dick Manton came up to the group. "You mean that you offered him $25," he suggested. ..5.
 :'That is what said" Algy respond ed slowly. "Five pound.''
 "If you're going to talk American dollars in Englishcurrency," said, Man ton, "you want to talk them correctly. The English do not know any such sum as five pound What you offered the whipper-in was 'fi'-pun.'"
 "Awl" said Algy. Manton walked away. Willie took his leg down and leaned forward. His smooth, narrow face had purpose in it. He's getting a dweadful cad," he said. Don't know howIhe got into the club. He's only lawyer-fellow, you know, and he cawn't ride, Thu suah. Wonder why he joined?''
 gro be near Marian Granger said Reggie.
 'slTo be near Maid Marian said Algy.
 Willie was silent for moment, then said: "Wel, we're all epris with her, aren't we? The thing must be settled somehow, and we've got to get rid of Athis chap Manton. Tell you what I'll do." He licked his leg lazily. ''I'll ride you for her. In the hunt to-mor- row the fellow nearest in at the death to have clear field for six months, the two others to drop out.'' .-
 Agreed" said Reggie and Algy in breath.
 GAc %or Nao+or ba oors+ ,~;Ja I>.,4 heard to-day he'd bought horse and suit of pinks. The horse was sold to him by Jock Ormsby. You'd never think it, but it's that devil, Mephisto! The grooms call him the 'Gravemaker,' you know. He's got the temper of Satan and has hurt three men in year. Buying that horse shows how little Manton knows. If he tries to ride tomorrow all three of us will have to race the Gravemaker and get him going. He ought to spill Manton at the first jump and cure him of the Country club and Maid Marian at the same time."
 They snickered in concert. Willie took an absinthe, Reggie took a yer mouth cocktail, Algy took a creme de menthe.
 The Cohasset Country club was made up of the sons and daughters of the rich men of Massachusetts city. It's objects were social converse and rid- ing after pack of hounds trailing the scent of a bag of anise-seed which had been dragged over the country in the early morning by couple of lads. The
 s~.I~ taining ploughed field or two, a brook and some fences of hedgeplant. One of these fences had a ditch ten feet wide running along it and was source of secret terror to every mmber of the club. The Cohasset was an expensive and exclusive organization, and it made merry after the fashion of all country clubs. Late that night, be- tween a waltz and g. two-step, Willie, in a burst of confidence, told Marian Granger of the ag& ement reached by himself and: friends, saying nothing of Manton. The girl, very handsome and self-contained.a looked at him with wide eyes. "Indeed!' was all she said.
 "Yes," Willie went on his tongue loosened by several absinthes. "I shall De your most devoted for stx months at least. You haven't seen my new hunter. Van Duyck and Remse0 are not in it."
 A smile of amusement came into her fine eyes. "You are certain to win?" she asked. +>.
 Sure" he replied.
 Excuse me, then," she said. "Here is Mir. Manton. l promised this dance to him.''
 Swinging. slowly ill her partners afms, she told him of the wager-told it lightly, but he could see shadow of resentment in her face. He was a young fellow of not many words and positive manners. He started on a hunt for Willie and found the three of them in the buffet. He had made up his mind to spare the girl annoyance %rs1 l.