Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19

Tatnall watched the paraders for the
Branksome, half smiling. half scoWAne'
Notwithstanding he wore habitualiy race
of q craven image. The smile was for his
son Gray. who, being his dead mothers
image. was the apple of his fathers eye
1t had surprised Tatnall as much as IL
pleased him to find the lad at his elbow as
he came out OF the paddock
TatnaH had narrow shoulders, no less
narrow mind. He was also tall, and held
himself very upright. Socially, he was a
rabid conservative. Alike in men ana
horses, he swore by blood.
He kept racing stable, because 1t had
come into the family along with money.
1t was not big stable, and hardly ever
paid It's way but was hardly ever without
notable performers. Thus there was some
color of excuse for Tatnalls firm conviction
that the Branksome was already as good
won.
He cou11 see nothing In 1t but his own en-
try-Akbar one of TWO pronounced favor
lies. ShreWder horsemen, with less co. celt
of their own omniscience, readily conceded
to at least one other of the fairly big field
almost an even chance
There was no MISLEADING the favorites
who came prancing, one behind the other
TatnalfS cOlors-blue, SaShed and Slashed
with white-accented the splendor of Ak
bars golden-chestnut coat.
his forehead, q ringed hind foot He stood
sixteen hands. full, was rangy fellow,
long-stTiding, free going, game a bulldog,
playful as a kitten. There We're a dozen
Derby winners in his blood lines, and he
had come to the middle of his three-year-
old season unbeaten. Therefore the crowd
rose and cheered him till the volume of
sound went up to the thin clouds mackerel-
Ing a hot blue sky.
In the Brangsome lie to carry Derby
weight and run the Derby distance. There
fore those for whom he had never lost, at
least half the multitude, openly worshipped
him, and sat gasping, yet smiling, though
they had given odds rather than taken
them, secure that he would win again. in
spite of the Childe and all his works.
Ghilde Rolande came at Aknars heels,
with a flaming red jacket In his saddle,
and ears laid viciously back A raking,
slashing black. in whose veins there min
gled about equally the blood of st. Simon
and the Incompatible Lexington, he stood
an inch lower than Akbar, yet matched
him evenly in reach and stride. II he had
been three times beaten, he had won much
oftener than his chestnut rival Hence said
the wise ones, he was better seasoned, and
as a betting proposition, safer. also more
tempting With to l about him, he had
tempted many.
Akbars following readily conceded him
the place He might even get up first said
a few of the more philosopliic.
So there were plenty to shout him well
come-a welcome that rose and fell. and
rose again, ripping all the quarter of a
mile that eager-massed faces lined the
course.
Three long shots came next-greeted with
small. scattered squeaky blurs of sound
that hushed TO dead silence as Corn Silk
las of the paraders, stepped out~on the
course. Then. all in a breath, wild
whooping broke out. underveiced by faint
Kisses here and there. Stronger whoops
quickly drowned the Misses The crowd
was for fair play-since Corn Silk was there
of right he must be assumed to have
chance.
Tatnail had smiled at the kissing al
Though. of course, not joining in 1t. The
Whoopfng made him scowl fully.
Idiots Double-distilIed idiotsr' he said
to Gray. They'll lose. of course and they
deserve to do it. twice over, for the-folly
OF overlooking a cold cross"
Gray nodded, but gently, even anxiously
Through his glass ne was watching Corn
S'lk and changing color the least bit as he
watched. No horse on the course was bet
ter worth long look. Even the yelled