The San Francisco call., 1905-02-19

head showed well in front. Lord
Dick'll win," said Beth's companion.
Musket's an Irish horse. bred to run
all day
Beth's fingers clutched tightly the
handle of her parasol and she set her
white lips firm and hard.
And so they came, around the cor
ner, and up the stretch and over
fences-always the same; the creamy
nose of Lord Dicks roam always a
tr<f1e in front As they cleared the
last fence Slade seemed to send a thrill
of the pent-up energy OF his frame intO
Goldfinder and the big horse made a
last mighty effort. Surely, slowly, hts
golden nozzle crept UP past the mot
tied head Of the roam. Lord Dicks
whip flashed IN the air and cut Mus
ket's qutvering TANKS. Slads sat per-
fectly still. crouched low over the
withers OF his horse, for he knew that
-Goldhnder knew and was making his
last effort. There was no sound in the
stand. nothing but the strained breath
ing Of the people who waited
Only the judges knew as they
flashed under the wire which had won
Then the numbers went I'D and the
crowd knew. 1t was Goldhnder's race.
Sorry for Lord Dick" said Beth's
companion. as they set down; but the
other chap. Slade. deserves it. Never
Beth wasn't sorry for anybody. Her
nerves were jerking and twitching and
she felt that she never wanted to see
another race in her nfe--not one Just
like that. anyway.
Two professions came into the stand
inclosure almost together MuSket
and Goldhnder formed one. while the
other consisted OF two stretchers,
carrying Johnson and Maynard.
\ II, III
is no price to pay for victory like
that" Captain Frank assured Slade:
besides, wiped that Umballa score
out
Maynard was badly smashed up.
too; collar-bone broken, and badly
wrenched shoulder. but not beyond
the working of more mlschier, though
After the race Slade met Beth face
to face on the lawn. She held out
her hand in a pleased way.
Are your glad I won? he asked
awkwardly. did you win gloves or
anything over my mount?"
IT hardly know yet what Won.|1
she replied enigmatically- You see
I can't quite remember what my
bets were till people come to pay up"
II don't know what I've won,
either" thought Slade. as Beth's COM
panion carried her OF; but Ill ind
out tomorrow"
That night Slade was having the
fruits of victory thrust upon him.
They were having little victory dim
ner he and some friends, and In the
middle of 1t servant brought In a
letter for him.
was characteristic and much to the
point Somebody had entered a pro-
test against Goldfinder, on the score
that he was not the sole property OF
Mr.. Slade.
Slade was sure there was no case
against him. but somehow he fslt as
though Beth were slipping away.
Next day at the stewards meeting he
Indignantly denied that anybody but
himself had any interest In Goldnnder.
Then he was confronted with sorne>
thing he had completely forgocren-
his promise to Baldeck-
One Of the stewards said; An OBJ
lection has been lodged on ths scoro
that Mr.. Baldeck is still interested In
Coldfinder to the extent that you prom
ised him ths cup, or duplicate OF It
In the event Of his winning. II you as
sure the stewards that this is not so
there is no evidence other than Mr.. Bal
decks word and we shall be forced to
overrule the objection II you admit II,
IL establishes the fact that Mr.. Baldsck
still has an interest In ths horse, that
you are not the sole owner. In that
event the cup VIII go to Musket. who
finished second"
1t was a bitter pill. losing the prize.
and ON a technicality. too; but Slads
never hesitated for an instant Bis
word would be taken against the other
mans but that didn't matter.
II promised Mr.. Baldeck the cup,
he said gravely. at didn't know that It
constituted an interest In the horse"
That afternoon he went to hand Beth
the gage back: not as he thought ne
should have gone. to demand fulfill
ment Of the promise. given In bantar
though 1t was. but 70 admit that ne mao
failed.
heard all the facts OF the case before
Slade got there, but she had. Whether
Captain Frank was able to get about
In a gharry or not, don't know; put
Beth knew.
said Slade, trying to speak In the same
bantering tone they had used that
other time. 'I failed to get you the
Beth smiled a little as she reached
ont for the creased slip Of paper Doug
las handed her. she doesn't care a
rap" he thought; she is laughing az
me-
Deliberately Beth opened the dust
stained note and read 1t with pr0yokins
sThis doesn't say . word about the
Ballygunge cup" shs said. arching ner
eyebrows.
"Doesn't what7s he broke In. per-
picked
eft says-waft. III read II to you:
IT Douglas Slade wins the next Baliy.
gunge steeplechase. I promise to
Then she broke off. as she had IN writ
ing the note, and. looking at MIN m
quiringly, asked: And you did WIN WIN
the steeplechase, didn't you-1housn
kf.cr rrfr1p
And so it really did not matter very
much about the cup, after all. tnougn
they would have liked it in their draw
ing-room-
Seventy men had fishing competi-