Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-02-04

feet and hands that would be no disgrace
to a woman. and a soft voice, nothing
could be more deceptive in appearance
tones and caressing manner had earned
him that sobriquet at college. 1t had
stuck to him ever since. Destitute
OF whisker, slight soft brown
moustache just shading his upper lip /;
1.-the, supple, almost girlish in ap-
pearancs-such was George Dallison.
Few men of his age rode straighter and
steadier over a country than he; while
TattersaIl's had arrived at the conclusion
that, though he might look young, nobody
threw bis money away much less than
Silky Dallison. When, In his languid
manner, he was willing to take thousand
to thirty about any horses chance, it had
chance-a good deal more than, as q
rule, can be predicated Of the animals
about which such very long odds are to be
obtained.
Come in," was the response to Roses
sharp knock, and Dallison was discovered
placidly consuming a French novel in the
easiest of armchairs. No greater syba-
rite perhaps ever existed; yet on New
market Heath, he would wait the day
through wind and sleet to back the good
thing" he had journeyed from London
expressly for, and return to town with
out murmur, if such had turned out the
delusive phantom too usual or such occa-
sions.
"Oh. Grenville, charmed to see you {!
Take a chair and talk. It's not a bad
novel," he observed, as he threw the yell
low colored volume on the table; "but
I've had more than enough of it, and my
self for the present. News! All, Gren,
If you have any, unfold thy short, and, l
trust, moving tale
Thanks | want to talk TO you a bit
on business-reason I'm here" aia-Rose.
Shouldn't come to you on a point of
law, Silky but this happens to be bit
Of racing"
"You racing! What do you mean?'
Have you seen old Pearmans death
in the paper?
YES" rejoined Dallison. You're
thinking of Coriander-makes no differ
ence, you know-horse entered in the sons
name"
Suppose, Silky, could show you that
that horse couldn't start without my con-
sent, or something like it,"
Come, old fellow, no CANNON. I'm
on him for the Derby, and am only wait
ing to hedge my money till he's won the
Two Thousand
Look here, Dallison; | know nothing
about the turf, and have come to you to
manage a great game between young Pear
man and myself. Will you do so? Of
course you can take care of yourself in
the transaction. ! can tell you nothing
for certain as yet. Will you manage the
turf part of the business while l work
the legal machinery? AS my idea of the
case stands at present, | tell you fairly,
| think Coriander's starting for the
Guineas will be at the option of myself
and clients; but l may be mistaken
do you advise me to hedge now,
them" said Silky Dallison.
Certainly not. | know nothing about
the turf, but if l am right in my conjec-
ture, the management of Coriander in the
market will be, for the benefit of my eli
ents, in your hands before few days are
over. Will you say nothing till | see you
again, and give you, as ] hope, the reasons
why?"
You say I'm to be your agent if it is
as you think it, I'll ask no questions
but as you know nothing about that great
elaborate system of gambling, yclept rae
ing-if. as you think. you've any control
over Coriander, don't whisper it to your
carpet-bag till you've seen me again.
say this honestly, with view to doing my
best for you. Bring me your case when
you've worked it out, and I'll tell you
what to do"
MANY thanks old fellow! I'm off to
Hampshire tonight. | shall be back the
day after tomorrow, though perhaps late.
1t will be all decided then. I'm playing
for a good deal bigger stake than you.
Silky-the girl l love and something to
start housekeeping on"
"Ah." returned Dallison, 81 like that
if you've got the first stake on, you're
playing in earnest. | am still all in the
dark but if you see your way to winning
the first, I'll bet you two to one, knowing
nothing about it, win enough for you
to start housekeeping on"
That very night, just as they were med
| itating bed, loud ring startled the deni-
zens of Glinn. The advent of Grenville
| Rose seemed to the servants a matter OF
course thing. They Immediately commenc-
cd preparation of his usual room. His
uncle also was glad to see him, but to
| Mrs. Denison and Maude the thing was
! past comprehension. AS for Granville, he
seemed perfectly callous- shook hands
with his aunt, audaciously kissed his cous-
| in, accompanying it by pressure of the
hand and a whisper, the combination OF
| which sent the blood to the very roots OF
! Maude's hair Then he devoted himself
| in a most prosaic manner to some cold
| boiled beef and pickles, pertinaciously sat
the ladies out, and as he handed them
| their candles, whispered to Maude:
Hope for us yet, darling y
"Now, uncle" he said. II want you
! to come with me to your study. You rec
| ollect that old box of deeds and papers
| you let me rummage through two years
back, when l went so deep into heraldry
| and spent good bit Of time tracing the
| family genealogy?'
| "Yes, my boy; but you don't mean to
say you've come down upon us like q
whirlwind in this way to continue that
somewhat vexatious PURSUIT."
| Granville said no more till he was duly
ensconced in the squires sanctum, with
| the box containing those musty papers
open by his side.
| Now uncle" he resumed, Il shall
| probably have to work for two or three
| hours through these old parchments be-
fore l arrive at the one / want. Oh
course don't expect you to remain while
l do so, but before you go to bed would
| you mind answering me two or three ques
tons? You've always been very kind to
me Glinn, indeed. has been my home
almost as long as l can recollect. My
father and mother died when l was SC
young, that you and my aunt have al
most stood in their place TO me-
We'll, Gren. we've always been FOND
of you, mad glad to have you here. But
what are you driving att"
Will you bear with me patiently to-
night. even if l, offend you? Will you
wait till tomorrow, and hear then what
have TO say before you decide about
what l shall, perhaps, ask you to do fol-
me?"
What on earth are you making mys
| tories shouti Not much uSe asking heir