Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-11
CHAPTER xxi.

We must now revert to what Mrs.
Hudson did upon receipt of her telegram
as harmless, apparently, as 1.-THE pork
chops and tomato sauce of Pickwicks
immortal history. Yet even in that case
great events from trivial causes sprang."
That lady is destined to be as much dis
turbed in a monetary point of view as
Mrs Bardell but infinitely more to her
own advantage.
Mrs. Hudson was lounging pleasantly
enough in an armchair. reading the dur
nal literature of her country in that
abode of comfort, bliss, and intelligence,
yclept Paper Buildings. when that most
domestic of kilograms reached her. That
she was attired in morning coat, neat
trousers unimpeachable boots, and had
cigar in her mouth. will scarcely astonish
the reader who has probably already sur
missed that Silky Dallison represented that
lady
"Ah." he exclaimed. after reading the
message, what a cross it looks like But
must be off at once to see Plyart Twen-
ty minutes to three; just catch him before
he goes down to Tattersalrs." Mr.. DALI
son was maa of decision; he was into a
UdDSOfH anu dL iHe uOOI VI TIE iClOTld
Club in something less than ten minutes.
His conference with the bookmaker was
short, and then they separated. both to
make their way to the great Turf Elk
change at Knightsbridge.
The rema rkable feature Of the betting
on the Two Thousand that afternoon
was the extraordinary advance of Corr
ander. From very long odds offered
against him, he rose in the course of the
day to be once more first favorite: reach
ing very nearly to his original price of
ten days back. From the opening of the
rooms Dallison was very eager in his
offers to back the horse, while it might
have been also noticed that Mr.. Plyart
accepted the long odds against Coriander.
Just to cover himself" as he said, hay
ing laid rather heavily against him" But
it quickly permeates through the Sub
Scription Room that the horse is being
backed in earnest, and when, about half
past four. Pearmans accredited agent
began also to put money on the horse, the
excitement became intense.
The Ring, or stock brokers Of the turf,
like their brethren of the eastern ex-
change, with all their acuteness are mar
velously like sheep in times of panic
The leaders at bC.h places can increase
or depreciate property pretty much at
their pleasure As there is, of course.
money to be made by such fluctuations,
it can scarcely be wondered at that they
do il. But why should the one be deem
ed virtuouS and respectable. and the 9TH
.er the contrary? There is little to choose
between the scandals of the two betting
rings.
Grenville Rose, upon Pearman's de-
parture, had carried the release in tri-
umph to the squire. Harold Denison was
jubilant beyond measure: free from his
difficulties, and. to use his own express
sion. ''out of the hands of those blood
suckers, the Pearmans." The hopes Gren-
Vile had raised had influenced him in
his influence with Sam Pearman. and. if
little sarcastic in his retorts, the bitter
cyncism of his nature had toned down
rather upon that occasion. Rose now
thought it time to do a little work for
himself: so without more ado, he revert
ed to his passion for his cousin, and so
licited his uncle's permission for their
engagement.
Harold DeniSon was good deal taken
aback. 1t must be borne in mind that he
had not received the slightest hint of this
in any way beforehand. and to say that
he was pleased now he did hear it, would
be very far from the truth. He liked
his nephew. perhaps. as far as it was in
his selfish nature to like anybody; but
he still thought that Maude, with her
personal attractions. ought to marry
money or rank. il not both. Still. at
the present moment, he was virtually in
debted TO his nephew for f10,000-a cir
cumstance little likely TO help him in the
long run as men of Harold Denison's
caliber generally hate most heartily those
to whom they are deeply beholden. How
ever, he had not come to that yet. and
the way his nephew had outwitted Pear
man pleased his cyuic and vindictive ma
ture much.
Ito be continued.)