Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-17

equal to 1t. man sitting at Allis' elbow suddenly criedin loudvoice: Look at the big black; isn't he a beaut? Number thirteen. That's a hccdoo number, if you like; it's enough to give packer cold feet"t ~-t3 -
 'I thought you weren't superstitious, Rex" this was woman's voice
 I'm not, an I'm going straight down to back that black, thirteen and all" On Allis' other side one of the party was sticking off the horses by their num- bers as they passed. "One, two, that's White Moth; they. say she'll win; three, Red Rover; four, what's that? That's George L.; five, six, seven; just look at that little runt- What ist it? Oh, Lucretia. Might as well run big calf, should think"
 She's just lovely" declared lady fin the party. She's as graceful as deer, and I'm sure she'll run as fast | as any of them" | Cant live in that mob: they'll smoth- CT little thing like her." declared the man. emphatically. Where are We ten, eleven, The King, that's the wn- ner for hundred. Look at him. He carries my money It's all over now; they can't beat him. That's fine look CT, though, thirteen-Diablo, eh? Whats that horse Diablo, George?" turning to one of the men, ,- "No good--a maiden: looked them all up in the dope book; how they ex- pect to win the Brooklyn with a maiden gets beyond me-"
 Allis' gaze dropped to the grass lawn in front of the stand for minute, her eyes seeking repose from the strain of watching the horses as they went down to the starting post. How fret fully cratic were the men who dotted it's green sward with gray and solemn black! How like ants they were, cross ing and recrossing each others paths, twisting and turning without semblance | of an objective point Yes, they were like an army of ants that had been sud- denly thrown into confusion. Within all that inclosure there seemed no one 1 possessed of any calm. To the quiet l girl it was strange revelation; no one could have as much at stake as she had, and yet over her spirit there was nothing beyond the lethargy of depres- l sion. No; no one is calm, she thought. 1 An, the assertion was too sweeping. l Coming up the steps, just at her right, was man who might have been walk l ing in quiet meadow, or a full-leafed l forest, for all there was of agitation in l his presence. A sudden new thought came to Allis; she had never seen that 1 face distraught but once. The collected man was Philip Crane. A tinge of al- most admiration tingled the girls mind hA nf "a I'm yyh Q yxyoc nervous strain was, something. l Suddenly the unimpassioned face lighted up; the narrow-lidded eyes gleamed with frightened interest As eagerly as boy their owner. Crane, came forward and saluted Allis. l Allis had sought to be alone in this short time of trial; she was hardly sure of herself. If Lucretia failed she might l break down; for what would come to her father should the message home be 1 one of disaster? Even if the little mare won her joy might lead her to commit strange pranks; she felt that her heart would burst out of sheer joy, if she did not shout in exultation, or caper madly, as she had seen others do in the hour 1 of victory. She was sorry that Crane 1 had come.
 'tI was looking for you,'' he said; tT want to see you win this race; that is, 1 if-I mean, like every other man here, ' have harked back to my natural i'm stinct of covetous acquisition and had a bet on" G~5tl
 Mot Lucretia?"
 "No-I've bet on Diablo. Langdon thinks he'll win. Do you remember the agreement about his purchaser"
 What was it? I've half forgotten it. ''
 "Just little bet on your account, you know"
 "Oh. remember: but that was only in fun, wasn't it?''
 'Tt was part of the bargain, and it's on. You'll take it. won't you, if he wins"
 They're off" Some one had shouted the magic words from the head of the steps. In second every voice of the thousand was stilled, and there was only the noise of shufhing feet, as eager watchers stood up to see the horses.
 'It's false start" said Crane, quiet ly, turning toward the girl "It would have been we'll for you, Misss Allis, had the starter let them go. Lucretia was we'll out in the lead; 1t was Diablo's fault, too, that they had to go back he was left standing" ....
 Cranes voice was Fate's voice. Would there never be anything but Lucretia and Diablo, seven and thirteen, thirteen and seven? n=- II t
 "Diablo's bad horse at the post" ejaculated Crane, letting his field glass rest for an instant on his knee; 'he just backs up and shakes his head vii ciously; evidently he doesn't like the idea of so much company
 How is Lucretia acting, Mir. Crane?"
 Perfectly. You must have instilled some of your own patience into her."
 The girl hardly heard the compli- ment .f
 The starter is having a bad time of 1t; that makes six false breaks" said 1 AlIis' com panion. "it twill end hv hie