Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-02
BY GEORGE HIBBARD.


They were at tines dazed by his luck.
STILL growed Derrick, 'f you buy everything
you're certain to get something good somewhere in
the lot"
The number of Langleys purchases had never
in the history of the game been excelled. All
parts of the country laid under contribution.
From Texas, California and Massachusetts, came
ponies. Almost every club, wherever situated,
had some of its best snapped up to form part of
Langleys stable. Undoubtedly there was nothing
he would not take and for which he would not
readily pay the longest price. That he uncon-
sciousy worked upon the scientific doctrine of the
survival of the fttest might to be his case.
Lacking in any marked excellence as his per-
formance might be, not rising in any measure
above the ordinary, he could not help, in game
where the animal counts for much, having GER
tain success phenomenay fast and clever
beast outracing all others in the field and turn
ing in his own length often brought him to crit
ical point, when he able easily and leisurely to
make telling stroke.
The week of the match for the Colony Cup was
approaching The knowledge of It's nearness
haunted the Westmead mind disturbing peace and
destroying happiness. For some time nothing had
been said about it. BY tact consent the dreaded
subject was left in silence. However, the matter
could be disregarded no longer With the mmi-
nence of the crisis the confusion of CONSERVATION
re1gnoQ.
was not to be considered. and yet nothing appear
ed more likely.
As one who would understand the situation, who
might in fact be able to offer valuable suggestions,
Miss Sally Newlands taken into full confidence
and admitted to every possible discussion
You see," declaimed Derrick, as the members
OF the team plus Miss Sally Newlands sat
in accidental conclave the club terrace
''ponies are so much of it. We've got to put in
Langley. Although it's a game without handi-
caps, with what he has. even as he plays he may
help"
'qHe's determined to play" Derrick continued
bluntly to Miss Newlands "and you must know the
reason. He wants to show of before you. Do the
gallery racket
"oh, can't think as badly of him that" she
said, and added decidedly, 81 don't"
"A man when he's so hard hit isn't quite him
self. The chances of appearing to advantage in
her eyes is something not to be lost"
Certainly Langley with Miss Newlands advent
had been more assduous at polo, had manifestly
thrown himself with enthusiasm into the
game. The others found something pathetic in
his futile endeavors When after the greatest ex-
ertion he had brought himself into position to
deliver a telling blow-and Immediately missed
the failure not visited upon him in the out
spoken way usual under such circumstances. Even
sally at the lines did not smile She displayed
the sight of such disgrace.
"You know" said Langley to her one day as he
drew up his steed beside her trap that am to
play In the cup games"
Eyes" she answered.
''I must do something then, he almost groaned-
at feel that it is my only chance know what the
sporting spirit is to you"
"The sporting spirit-yes," she answered at
once. "I believe in 1t thoroughly"
Its for to show you that I've got a little
of it in me-" he declared desperately. II want to
do something to help our side win
That's It," she approved enthusiastically.
That's the thing-to help side to win
''I know" he continued gloomily. 81 only wish
that | might-that may.
She smiled him encouragingly and as he can
tered away she followed him with a thoughtful
gaze. Her face lit up frankly. however, with
new charm, as Blatchford walked by, leading his
beast by the bride over its head. She appeared
almost to challenge his attention. He halted and
drew toward her.
You seem to be feeling particularly cheerful"
he observed, land looking it,
There's no use crying anyway, until the milk
is split"
"You mean the cup match?"
"Is anyone thinking of anything else-talking
of anything else?" she demanded with certain
Representatives, of tone
"Im not" he admitted readily Those North
brook chaps are SO cocky-what shouldn't I give
to do them up?"
And ~ she agreed heartily. "oh If you
were only going to play. The reverence she
felt for his acknowledged prowess, for his supreme
nine-goal handicap was disclosed in her voice and
face. "Then we'd not only have chance. We'd
be absolutely sure"
THANK you" he replied ruefully. I'm not on
in this scene. How I'd like it, he continued Wig
orously "Beggars though, can't be choosers, and
at polo certainly there's no reason to expect beg
gars to ride"
"You feel it, she said softly.
"Yes," he replied simply
IT understand how hard 1t must be- she muir
INJURED "Oh, know all you would do she cried
with enthusiastic approval. II can imagine the
way you would play l should love to see you. 1t
would be magnificent and ="
"What?" he demanded eagerly. as he stepped
closer,
She appeared however to have forgotten the
rest of her speech or suddenly unwilling to
continue for turning to Mrs Elswick, who sat