The Washington herald., 1907-03-17
CHAPTER Y.

As Esrlstein crossed the tape-winper
by good margin-there was one heart
that throbbed particularly hard. 1t was
that Of rom Truscott. ex-New York
broker and formerly the most strenuous
member Of the exchange. The old fire OF
gamble and chance had been stirred
within him, and. once again, he felt that
feverish desire TO speculate which had
carried him forward 10 nervous exhaus-
tion while engaged in the desperate battle
Of bulls and bears.
Truscott congratulated Ryder, through
the window, and then strode hurricdly to
The betting ring. Around him was a
pushing, jostling crowd of excited men
He fought his way up to brokar no. Il.
Winnings OF badge No. 1S6. he said
TO The cashboy in the rear.
The s3llOw individual who handled the
tin box of money looked drawn at the
mouth.
Let's see he murmured, running his
eve and pencil down the page. Here you
are Five hundred on Karlstein to win. at
to l."
With wan smile he handed over $SOl
TO 7TruScott
'Have to give me your name. mister.
he said Cant let you have the rest
until tomorrow"
~An right" said Truscott. cheerfully
while pocketing the crisp b1is. Thomas
Truscott Shoreham Hotel. city" ="
He backed away from the seowling
broker and pushed out into the fresh air
1t was with a sense of great satisfaction
that he contemplated the last race. His
two partners had certainly prohted by the
venture. Their horse had won Se07, while
he. personally. was 81. LOCO to the good A
glow of supreme contentment pervaded
his face. once more the excitement OF
the gambling life stirred his long-torpid
blood. His old courage seemed TO be re-
turning TO him. and lie felt the throb o;
nervous activity that had been absent
since he gave up his life in the fnancial
maelstrom of the street This winning
in fact, had whetted his appetite for more
success. His gambling inclinations, long
dormant had awakened 10 life with re-
newed force. As he crossed the asphalt
space that led TO the betting ring, he met
Fanshawe. II could be easily seen that
the latter was delighted with their sue
cess. His usually bappy-lookihg features
glowed like the face of the Cheshire cat
Of Alice in Wonderland" He slapped
TrUscott heavily on the shoulder.
We'll, Trux, old boy, how about tho
Fauquier Stables. eh? How about old
Karlstein, eh? How about the eighth
Earl Of Ravenstake, eh, my boy? Wow"
He began TO dance a cantata, la Loit
Fuller. but his gyrations were brought
10 an abrupt close as he stepped upon
the toe of a Virginia gentleman Of we'll
known irascibiHty.
Hold hard therer' called the unfortu-
nate individual bringing his cane dowr
across his broad back. ANY one TO sec
sou would think that you were celebrat
ing a football victory"
Come away. little boy" called Trus-
cOtt pulling Fanshawe by the arm
Don't You know that you may get tht
same treatment that old Tom admins
tered to the racing steward
The gentleman who had used the cans
too freely grOWled out something that
sounded like 'confounded ass as they
moved away. He had once struck q
friend of his quite deservedly in the face
at the New York Horse Show. and any
reminder of It Jared upon his none too
sensitive nature.
The clubhouse paddock was in a buzz
Of delighted conversation. Every One
who was any one had backed Karlstein
and all were joyful at his victory Ryder
was popular with the hunting set. fol-
his easy-going ways and love of thy
noble horse had endeared him TO The
Virginia nature.
Lets go around and see Ryder" said
Fanshawe. HE must be dressed by this
time and I would Ike to talk over this
last race with him -
''AH right, replied TruscOtt There
viii be some long odds on Paprika, and
believe that We can make another kill
ing.
Fanshawe stopped and looked at him
what 40 you mean by killing, Trus-
cott2" he asked.
why. win another bet. Of course"
The somewhat amazed look in Fan.
shawe's face grew more evident.
You don't mean 90 say that you wor
much on Karlsteiny do you2''
Truscott laughed. a thousand; that.
all"
We'll. well"' said Fanshawe. You ar,
a plunger. aren't you? Why, man,
wouldn't have the nerve to back horse
for that amount. Even if I had tht
money 1 don't believe that l could bring
myself TO risk it
They began TO be iostled by the crowd
suTging from the betting ring over {,
the paddock.
Come. let's move on. Truscott re
piled. walking to the little passage that
led past the club Enclosure. It's easy
enough" he continued. when you've
once been inoculated to the gamblinE
game as all New York stock broker.
must be. Why. it doesn't take any nor,
nerve TO risk half a million dollars thar
II does to risk half dollar. l felt 1he
same way that you do once. but now
have changed materially IN my views
and actions. Once bitten with the gam.
bling flea. my son, and you have hydro
phob;a. The only cure for it is not
water-that water for which the poor