The San Francisco call., 1908-07-26

quick turned over his shoulder, showed
Firebrand's rider the head OF White
stocking on his flank. stealing the race
with a we'll judged rush. Then the
boys whip shot into the air, his small.
sinewy form uncurled from its leth-
argy-men who had turned away, their
interest lost, wheeled, stood still and
held their breath.
struggled wosld the boy on White
stocllin' outride the great Isaac-would
their idol pay the penalty OF his nap
and lose? No; the big morse. gathered
by those quick hands OF steel. thrust
forward. No more tia lean fanked
marc gained.
The favorites got-my God: what's
up?" 1t was a cry OF startled horror
from Rooney. The crimson jacket
wavered like a wind blown rag. a whip
new forward from a small hand that
clutched at the horses name; then
down. down, fighting. clutching. sink
Ing In the wave OF swirling horses. the
boy disappeared from Firebrand's back.
Up in the stand 10000 faces blanched
till 1t was one white wall. No ona
spoke AS the boy sank a woman's
scream cut down through the stiffness
OF the mob.
My God. that's the boys mother-shs
sits up there" Rooney said.
The note OF anguish started a tempest
OF articulate emotion. Women screamed
and swooned with a call on their Ifpz-
There was drumming pound of rush
Ing feet; hoarse calls from sane men to
be seated. Down on the track past the
goal, still In the lead. the big horse had
swept riderless; and where the others
had swerved In their galIop lay the
poor lad. who was now surely asleep
In death.
Over the rails from lawn 70 inneld
men leaped, to crowd In useless SYM
pathy about the boy.
There was the rushing whirl Of
whesls-the ambulance. Up to the cor
don Of men it dashed.
Back. backl Stand backl Mako
roomT
And as the foolish ones surEed
away shout OF relief went up from
the stand; the little figure In crimson
tho herce red softed to silence bv
the dust OF the course7sweak, tottsr-
ing. was up. with the strong arm Of
the big black about him. The thick
Tipped face OF the negro cleaned in
spots in the sunlight, as though tiny
pearls had been pinned to his swarthy
cheek, and the great bass voice that
had beloved across the course the
triumph OF Firebrand was soft as he
said, "Doctah. II dat boyd been killed
don't race no moahP'
That Murray's valet" soms one Of
fered.
'Whitestocking gets the race"
Rooney said. as the numbers, creak-
ing dismally, crawled up the notice
pole.
Sea that's what happened-ths
gtrth's broke. I thought So" sproat
cried. pointing to the barebacked Fire
brand and the broken girthed saddle
on the stable lads arm.
Say, Dick, I'd have felt guilty II
that boyd been killed OF course I had
nothing 10 DO with IT. but-heui it was
creepy. I wouldn't have touched that
Gruder money.
''Win you now7'
yes, our hundreds burnt up ana
I'll chase myself down to that oyster
place and touch Fatty II he's around.
What'Il I hit him fora"
Not less than a thou. Let him think
you prepared that girth play II he
doesn't want to part"
AS Rooney slipped through the arch
at the oyster bar he met Gruber. The
two men instinctively stood and meas
ured each other with the eye. IT
haven't got it yet" was IN the cIocker's
mind; and the other was whispering to
himself. II got to pay him or cheap's
7 can"
Well" said Rooney.
'Is the boy hurt muchT'
Sword play from both OF them, spar
ring for wind.
''WhereTl we go where It's quietT'
the little man clicked sharply through
his teeth.
Gruder moved toward the bar, say
Ing IN low voice. Il got cold feet
and didn't lay him much"
The he'll you didn't"
II see Sproat back him FER a hundred
In my book. an 1t looks like I'm get
tin the double cross-the straight flap
doodle. If don't get that Jolt make
a bar'l OF money"
I've got nothin' to do with sproat's
bet or anybody else's."
II thought he was next Il. that's why
I don't lay Firebrand much. But that's
my fault, p'raps. Como over here by
the coat rack-there-this Is a nice.
quiet place. Here's little present fer
you." and Grudsr slipped his hand sur
reptiously toward the clocker.
Rooney's thin. wiry fingers closed
upon the bills; then he counted them
five 500 bills.
Where's the rest Of it7" he asked.