New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
CHAPTER III.
NfOnseigneur

L before the close of the fourth chukker the
score stood at four all. Both teams were play
ing with desperation TO avoid deCIder on tired
ponies when the Wanderers third man extri-
Gated the ball from a tangle OF pranCing
hOOfs and Gathering sticks and Alec belgrade
got away with IT, He thought his p ny was
good for one last run at top speed, that and
no more. Risklng II, he Sprlnted across two
hundred yards OF green turf with the ChantIly
Number One in hot chase. His opponent was
stone lighter and better mounted; SO Alec
clear start would not save hIm from being over
hauled and ridden OF ere he came within a rea-
sOnable striking distance of the opposing goal
posts. That was the Chantilly mans supreme
occupation (sOme experts will have it that the
ideal Number One should not carry a polo Stick)
and the pursuer knew his work.
y hundred, eighty, sixty. yards in front Alec
saw a goal keeping centaur waiting 70 intercept
him. In another couple of strides a lean. eager
head would be strainIng alongside his own
pony's girths. So he struck hard and clean and
raced on. and the goal keeper Judged the flight
of the white wooden ball correctly. and SmOte
1t back again fair and straight.
IL travelled 50 truly that 1t would have passed
Alec three feet from the ground 10 drop almost
exactly on the spot whence he had driven it.
But there was more in that last gallOP along
the smooth lawn than might be realized by any
one present save Alec himself. 1t was hls fare
well 10 the game. From that day he would
cease to be dependent on a begrudged pittance
for the upkeep OF his stable and that meant the
end of his polo playing. But he was not made
of the stuff that Yields before the twelfth hour
His malet whirled in the air, there was a crack
like a pistol shot. and the ball flew over the
amazed goal keepers head and between the
posts.
The yelling and handclapping of the few spec
tatorS almost drowned the umpire's whistle.
BY Cad that was a corker!' said he of
Chantilly, as the ponies wild galop eased to
canter.
Il hope that flourish of mine did not come
too close, BeaumanoIr. said Alec
Don't give a tuppenny now, laughed Lord
AdaIbert Beaumanoir. The match is over.
and you've won 1t. and If YOU play till Doons-
day you'll never score a better notch"
" Ii was lucky. a sheer luke
"Oh, that be fingered for a yarni \ fellow
hukes with his eyes shut. You meant it,
'Nes, that is right. So would YOU. Bertv. if
1t Your Last knock
We'll. times up. anyhow" said Beauma-
noir, not comPrehending.
THEY trotted off 70 the group of WAITING
groOms. belgrade ran the gauntlet of CON
gratuldtiOns, for Paris likes TO see Chantillv',
flag lowered, and escaped 20 the dressing room
He gave a letter, already written and sealed L.
an attendant. and drove away IN his dogcart
Bowling quickly along the broad Alice de Ionq-
champs, he turned into the Route dc TEtoile
and SO 20 the hne avenue where al Paris takes
the summer air.
He found himself ewing the parade of fashion
4
thought himself part and parcel of that eav
thrOng. To-day he was different being All
that had gone before WIS merged in "vcster-
days seven thousand years
lls cobs pace dld not slICken until he drew
rem At the giant doorway of a block of flats IN
the Rue BoiSSlerc. Ii was then about flve
O'Clock, and he meant 10 appear at his mother $
tea table. He was far from looking the "hmp
rag OF hS phrase % Joan Indeed II might
nave taxed the resources of any crack regiment
IN fdrH that day 10 produce his equal in CON
htlon- Iwenty-touT years Old nearly SIN feet
IN hTiSht' lean and WHY, square wristed. broad
shouldcred, and straight as a spear he met ths.
physical requirements. AT least, of those CLASSIC
youths beloved of JoanS tavorite goddess
Usually his clean cut face. tvpicallv American
IN rs high cheekbones, firm chm mobile mouth
and thoughtful eyes. wore happy-go-Iuckv eN-
preston that WAS the despair of mate tchmaking
msInlS, but TODAY Alec was serious Tie was
thlnkng oi the promise that u the souls of tre
would he given more hrc 10 the mantul a might
more than mans.
II ne htd not been sO prcOCcupIcd. he would
certainly have heard the rauCous shouts of
newsboys running trdntically along the boule-
wards. That Is u say. he heard but did not
heed. else some shadow of a strange destiny