The San Francisco call., 1906-09-23

louder, more confident, less irontc and
at the same time more fearful. There
was still a mile to goa mile that
would tell mighty different tale-
Thus felt the great multitude which
had risked its hopes and its money
upon Leon. BARN and Felix. Ethiop
was clearly out of II. although hts
race was surprising.
Leon led what was felt to be the
real race, running strong, under wraps.
and almost pulling his rider out OF the
saddle. His golden chestnut coat no
longer glanced in the low late sun
shine-it was duszy and foam streaked
all over. BARN, at his saddle skirts.
was likewise lathery. The two had
hardly varied a yard In position since
the race began. They could go on and
win as they pleased. said their follow
ing. Meantime IL was a little agsra-
waiting that they so passively INDUCED
Alamo with the lead. Gold Nine.
Waterway and Felix were close up
with Felix a shade the better. But as
they swept into the quarter he came
hack to them fu1ly-for the space OF
three heartbeats blanket might have
covered the three. running like a team
"A dead>neat for place, that's what
say the man at Wade'5 elbow an
nounced magisterially. Wade was be-
side Billerica and crowded close TO the
rail. He had not been able to stay
away, thought Grydon had chosen rath-
er to keep company with Gore. Gore
had established Mrs. oIinton upon the
piazza. then slipped down to the lawn
Wade wondered II he had seen Billerica
and how 1t must feel to come face to
face with another mans wife who was
once your own Wade had had con-
cei- OF knowing women thoroughly.
Billerica was making him revise It to
a degree She stood gray faced and
nh fQI
the glass. rapt from all consciousness
OF everything but the flying racers and
what their victory might import. Her
bare hand, no longer dimpled, with un-
kempt nails. clutched the rail so feroe-
iy all its articulattons showed lividly
through the skin. Big furious pulses
beat in her throat and once as Cores
blue jacket swept past within two
yards OF her a quick red blur famed
and faded through her pallor.
Her husband stood back Of her, hard
ly glancing at the course. He had made
himself a shield for her and held back
the mass behind. Wade smiled only to
see hin--the action, he thought. was
typical Whatever the mans attitude
had been at the start, Wade felt sure
he was no longer Indifferent. When,
after a breath. Ethiop fell back, 1eav-
ing Alamo for half second majestic
ally alone in front OF all. there came
the least CULVER of Brett-Demar's lips.
He pressed nearer his wife and bent
toward her ear. but Strengthened up as
the man beside them began to burst
out: "Oh, no. / thought sol Now. you
bulldog Leon. show how you can run
for Mr.. Sydney Gore and the rest Of US
good fellows"
Looking courseward Wade saw q
thrilling sight Leon was running as
Dnly the gamest, the ga11antest. the
neetest of thoroughbreds- can run in
the cruel last mile OF a tiptoe race. He
had come almost even with Alamo in
three strides. but stretch, strain as he
might, her nose was still in 'front.'
where 1t had BEEN from the beginning.
Felin was Tapped on him. with BARN
at his throat latch; but now. or black.
or bay, or brown. or chestnut. no eye
could distinguish-every coat was reelx-
ing. every heart madly laboring. as.
Tapped and strung out wild goose
fashion. the race thundered through
the out stretch, passed the start for
he last time and swung, wide and
free, for the long run home.
Wade felt grip and turned to face
Grydon, with Gore at his back Gore
was very white. but smiled easily and
pressed a thought IN toward the Brett
Demars. "Bfllerica, let's see the finish
of what may be my last race together"
he said 1T is my last race If you win.
and Grydon has told me you have
planned to do it,
Billerica dropped her glass with a
little smothered cry, but instantly put
1t up again, though with an unsteady
hand. Gore bent down until his vision
was almost upon her level Brett-De-
mars had stood back for him all he
might. but still he could not get
through. To steady himself he put out
his hand. It touched BiI1ertcas on the
rail- Thus between two husbands She
watched the battle royal through the
stretch. All the Jockeys had sat down
even the red midget. Whips wers
flying. spurs going In cruelty deep. Red
stains oozed on the dark. sweaty tanks,
but the flying racers did not swervs
from the steel. On, on. on they ran.
swift and straight in flight as the arrow
from a bow well bended. Half way
on the home stretch Leon led for three
strides then Alamo came again and for
the horse went down. down. straining
for the long javelin leaps that had so
many times taken him to victory. Once
he came up safe; again he went down,
but came away so short he lost double
his scant advantage. And though he
tried gallantly he could do no mora
than hobhle on three legs after the
rest. Going down that last time he
had broken a pastern and signed his
own death warrant
so there was mean rather than a
cheer when Alamo came home victorf-
Gus. with Felix In the place. Gore
knew what had happened He made
as though to so on the course. but
after one step turned back Btllerfca
was sobbing. her face In her hands
Her husband stood beside her, openly
supporting her with a strong arm She
did not shrink from him. she even
nestled closer as she heard Gore say:
Wont you shake hands and cry quits
Billerica, now that you have ruined
me?"
Sydney, il was to save you--and the
only way-that woman cares only for
your money" Billerica painted You
mustn't think I hate you--I never did,
IL had dreamed things could happen
so cruellyl oh. that poor Leon. For
give. do forgive mel I want us to be
friends"
A shadow, subtle. fnscrstable. yet
illuminating. swept across Cores face
You poor child. There is nothing to
forgive" he said 1T Is the fortune oe
war-you had the best horse. And we
will be friends IL you win do one
thing"
se<~L. =. a. ,ss r,asx